Welcome to Orchestra
2024-2025 School Year
What is Orchestra?
Meet the NA Orchestra Teachers and learn more about our award-winning program.
Hear what Our Orchestra Students Are Saying About Their Experience
Meet the Orchestra Instruments
Steps for Joining Orchestra
Step 1: Register your child by clicking this Google Form link.
Step 2: Once your child completes an instrument try-out at school, your orchestra teacher will communicate your child's instrument size with you. Please choose and contact a local music store to rent an instrument and purchase all of the necessary additional materials. See Recommended Music Stores below.
Step 3: Please request for their instrument to be delivered to their school so their orchestra teacher can prepare it for the first lesson. We know you are excited to start playing, but please wait for your orchestra teacher to instruct you on how to open your case and care for your instrument.
Step 4: Start lessons! Lessons will start near the beginning of the school year next fall. Students will meet once a week for 45 minutes with all string instruments as well as a 30 minute small group lesson with like instruments. Lessons are considered a pull out program and are pulled from various times throughout the school day.
Required Materials and Music Store Information
In addition to their instrument, your child will need the following materials:
Essential Elements for Strings Book 1
A music stand - It is important for students to have a music stand so that they can develop a strong foundation and correct muscle memory in regards to posture and playing techniques. Music stands also make music vertical and easy to see, as well as provide a convenient place to keep and organize music and lesson materials.
Rosin - Rosin is necessary because it creates friction, allowing the bow to grip the strings and make them vibrate more clearly.
Everest shoulder rest (violin and viola only) - A shoulder rest helps to customize the "fit" and proper hold for each player, as they can be adjusted to fill space between the collar bone and chin. They also allow more of the instrument's true sound to come out, as they elevate the instrument from any clothing, which can muffle the tone and overall sound.
Optional Accessories
Cello straps (Xeros) - Cello straps hold the cello in place and protect floors from any scratching from the endpin.
Pinky Placement Holders (violin and viola only) - Pinky placement holders gently helps develop the pinky's muscle memory along the way to mastering bow control.
String Vision Bow Grip (cello only) - This bow grip is easy to install and add to a cello bow. It helps with overall ease of holding the bow.
Recommended Music Stores
Brighton Music Center
2110 Babcock Blvd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15209
412.821.5908
Johnstonbaugh's Music Center
4842 William Flynn Hwy.
Allison Park, PA 15101
724.444.5660
Noteworthy Music
2611 Nicholson Rd. Bldg 2
Franklin Park, PA 15143
724.443.0040
PYCO School of Music
150 Lake Dr. Suite
Wexford, PA 15090
724.934.7529
Volkwein's Music
138 Industry Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15275
800.553.8742
https://www.volkweinsmusic.com/
Wexford Violins
10900 Perry Hwy.
Wexford, PA 15090
412.953.3735
Another option to obtaining an instrument is to purchase it. We do not recommend buying a stringed instrument while learning to play in elementary school as most students need several sized instruments before they reach full size.
If you would prefer to purchase several sized instruments, we recommend Shar Music or Southwest Music. Please do NOT purchase an instrument from Amazon. In our experience, they are not quality instruments and do not stay in tune, making the learning experience difficult frustrating for students.
12 Reasons to Join Orchestra
Learning to play a string instrument greatly increases your math comprehension, and spatial and pattern recognition. These skills are important for a number of professions. And because music is essentially and fundamentally mathematical, as you learn to play, you enhance the area in your brain that make these type of calculations. Who knew that learning to play "Happy" could make you better at math?
Music training develops language and problem-solving skills. Both of these cognitive functions impact the way you are able to comprehend what you're learning in school, but they also offer valuable people skills.
Increase your coordination. Learning to play an instrument like the violin increases your physical coordination. You must learn to control both of your hands, which constantly develops your motor skills.
It’s just plain cool. Knowing how to play the latest songs on a guitar, or being able to jam with other like-minded musicians has always been attractive to people because it’s fun. Plus, you get to explore different types of music and be creative, which leads to the next reason…
Music training increases creativity. This might not seem like a very important reason, but being able to view problems from “outside the box” delivers a real world skill that is in high demand with employers. In addition, students today will emerge into a global workforce that relies on constant innovation. By developing your ability to think creatively, you strategically position yourself as a highly sought out individual.
Music is a healthy outlet for your emotions. Being a student creates an endless amount of pressure in both your home and school environment. Whether you’re feeling anxious about your grades, another person, or a family situation, music offers an incredible outlet for your thoughts and moods. It relaxes and cares for your state-of-mind in an extremely satisfying manner.
You learn self-discipline. Self-discipline is a personal attribute that adds a lot to your personal fulfillment and measured accomplishments. It's also a common characteristic among educated, wealthy, successful people. With music training, you learn how to commit to continued practice and improvement, in order to reach a desired goal.
You make lasting connections. As you training with the school orchestra, you develop bonds with the members. Like any other peer group, you all have similar likes and are unified in a similar cause. Often, performers will establish their own small ensembles and groups within the group.
Music develops teamwork skills. Another strongly desired workforce skill — being able to operate together with a group is an integral part of being a musician.
Music training builds your confidence. When you learn how to perform in front of others that type of inner confidence becomes part of who you are. In fact, learning to play an instrument creates a sense of achievement that increases your self-esteem. You basically learn how to take risks and how to cope with personal fears.
Performing music offers a way to earn extra money. Whether you are contributing to your college fund, or saving up to purchase a new instrument, knowing how to perform can help you earn those extra dollars. Musicians who form a group or who provide contract work are required for all sorts of occasions. In fact, if you advertise your availability at your church or local community center for reasonable rates, you may find yourself deluged by side jobs. (Just make sure you have support and consent from your parents before embarking on this entrepreneurial endeavor.)
A music education helps you find your inner self. With an instrument, you can convey and explore all sorts of ideas and emotions. You get to be in charge to create, express, or worship, which provides you with a unique way of examining your own inner thoughts and feelings.
If you have questions, please contact your home building orchestra teacher.
Mr. Andrew Whitt
Franklin Elementary
awhitt@northallegheny.org
Mrs. Kim Watton
Hosack & Ingomar Elementary
kwatton@northallegheny.org
Ms. Carrie Semanco
Bradford Woods & Franklin Elementary
csemanco@northallegheny.org