Strings & Band is for students in grades 4, 5, & 6; we meet 2-3 days 

a week during regular specials as follows:

 SSES Strings - Monday/Wednesday mornings & every other Friday

SSES Band - Tuesday/Thursday mornings & every other Friday

NRES Band - Monday/Wednesday afternoons & every other Friday

NRES Strings - Tuesday/Thursday afternoons & every other Friday

  I will have a schedule for Early Release, PT Conferences, & Concert dates. 

Classes begin August 11 & 12.

Students will need to have materials by August 20/21

Classroom teachers help students get to class on the correct days. 

selecting an instrument

• Violin – the highest sounding and smallest.

• Viola – lower sounding than the violin and slightly bigger.

• Cello – lower sounding than the above, but not as low as the bass. Sit to play. Smaller Cellos and Basses are available for smaller/younger players. If renting from a music store, be certain there is a rock stop provided.

• Bass  - lowest sounding; stand to play. I don’t recommend bass for beginners but will allow it if taking private instruction. 

Research suggests that a student should select an instrument based on their preference of high, medium, or  

low sounds. 

I am happy to assist students in selecting an instrument so please let me know if I can be of help. :) 

how to get an instrument

Once a student knows what instrument they want to learn to play, you need to decide whether to rent from a  

music store or get one from the school. 

Because String instruments come in different sizes, all students need to be fitted to get the right size. 

Music stores will fit your child if you rent, & I will also fit students. If you are unable to take your student 

to be fitted, please let me know and I will fit and send you the size. 

Renting a violin/viola from a music store typically costs $20-25/month. I recommend rent-to-own, & most of 

the music stores have this option. Their monthly fee includes insurance in the event an instrument needs to be 

repaired or replaced, which is awesome. All you have to do is take the instrument to the store & they will take 

care of it. 

Schools have a limited inventory of decent instruments that students can use without a fee. If a school 

instrument is damaged, lost, or stolen, it is your responsibility to take it for repairs or replace it. If a string 

breaks, you will need to take it to a music store to be repaired or buy the string(s) online and I will put 

it/them on at no charge.              

    If a student chooses cello or bass, I will provide a cello or bass to be used at school so you won't have 

    to haul it back and forth. If you are unable to rent the cello/bass for home, I have a limited inventory for   

       students to use free of charge. 

 If I have to send in a repair, I am required to obtain a quote for the repair, then wait for the store to repair it. 

This process most often leaves the student without an instrument for several weeks, sometimes longer! 

I don't recommend buying an instrument until your child is in a full size because they will grow out it. 

If/when the time comes to purchase an instrument, please avoid buying new instruments from non-music 

        stores. Sometimes a decent instrument can be found at a pawn shop. 

Please email me anytime acrider@pvlearners.net

instrument supplies

  Once your student knows what instrument they want to play, the materials can be purchased from music stores (see the tab Music Stores) or online. 

• Method book - be sure to get it for the correct INSTRUMENT as they are all different. 

  1.  Beginners: Essential Elements Book 1 Brown Cover  

  2. 2nd/3rd Year: Essential Elements Book 2 Purple cover (continuing 5th grade students should have Book 1 from last year which we use it the first several months). 

• Rosin

• Soft cloth - used to wipe rosin off instrument every day; 

• Violin & Viola Shoulder Rest Make certain you know your student's instrument size first. 

• Cello & Bass - Rock Stop/Endpin Anchor (keeps the instrument from sliding)

• Tuner - I teach students to tune their instruments early on. Any tuner that clips on the instrument is great! 

• A folding music stand to use at home. This will ensure good posture and position for homework while working on lessons at home.