Supply List

School Orchestra Supplies Needed

A quality and correctly sized Instrument & Bow
- A personalized case tag should easily identify your instrument from others. (Cases all look very similar, like luggage in an airport.)
Lesson book "Essential Elements for Strings"
- Book 1 for 4th grade/Beginning students
- Book 2 for 5th grade/Returning students
Rosin (included with initial rental)
Cleaning Cloth
Shoulder Rest for Violin/Viola (Kun or Everest brand); Endpin Anchor for Cello/Bass (Xeros or Slipstop brand)
Folding music stand (for home practice only)
Clip-on tuner is optional but highly suggested, marked with your name. Recommended brands are Snark and D'Addario.

Information about instrument rental policies at local music stores can be found at the bottom of the GFPS Orchestra page.

*Please mark all materials with the student’s first and last name (except for the instrument itself). Many look the same, and it’s easy to get them mixed up.

Essential Elements Book 1

This is the first orchestra method book used in the GFPS, mainly for 4th graders/beginners. Please make sure it has the correct instrument listed at the top in the orange heading.

Essential Elements Book 2

This is the second orchestra method book used in the GFPS, mainly for 5th graders. Please make sure it has the correct instrument listed at the top in the purple heading.

Rosin

Rosin is used to coat the bow hair with a sticky residue that grips the strings of the instrument and produces sound. Light rosin is generally used by violinists and violists, while dark rosin is stickier and used by cellists; either option is fine in elementary orchestra!

Shoulder Rest Options for Violin/Viola

Please stick to Kun or Everest brand shoulder rests!

These are long-trusted brands that have proven the test of time! They have replacement parts available when/if needed. Whereas other cheaper brands break more often and don't have replacement parts available.

Kun Original

Kun Collapsible

Kun Mini

Everest Colors

Everest Flamed Maple

Everest Collapsible

Endpin Anchors/Rockstops for Cello/Bass

Strap Endpin Anchor

These straps connect to a cellist's chair and cup the endpin of the cello, and are the most stable of all endpin anchors. These promote good posture and help protect the floor from the endpin. A common, recommended brand is the Xeros endpin anchor.

Rock Stop/Donut

These "donut" rock stops can be used by both cellists and bassists but are best used by bass players. They do not keep cellos as secure as the rock stop strap.

Clip-On Tuners

D'Addario Eclipse

Snark

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