FAQs

A: Joining orchestra means that you will specialize in an instrument. Some outcomes of learning to play an instrument include belonging to a group with shared interests and values, partaking in a variety of experiences that extend beyond the traditional classroom, improving academic performance, and developing self-confidence and self-expression. Guess what? The good news is that all of these benefits are not necessarily specific to orchestra. You can choose any musical context like band or choir, depending on what sounds the most interesting to you!

Further reading

• Arts Education Partnership "Music Matters"

• Merit School of Music "Benefits of Music Education"

• NAFME "Why Music Education Is Essential in the Age of AI" 

A: Instruments are required every day beginning the second full week of school. All other materials are required every day beginning the first full week of school. This list will be distributed in August via email and in-person at the Try it, Choose it, Love it! event. 

Instrument

• Violin, viola, or cello that is in good playing condition and fits your height and size

• Bow and case

Check the Upcoming Events tab, Canvas, or your email for information on the Try it, Choose it, Love it! event, where students will have the opportunity to try and be sized for the string instrument of their choosing. It is of the utmost importance to have an instrument that is the right size in order to avoid injury and unnecessary frustration. 

Please note that families are responsible for furnishing an instrument for their student, but Elena has information on financial assistance. Cellists will have a school instrument to be used at school and a personal instrument for home use. Violinists and violists will be required to transport their instrument to and from school. If you have a concern about this, please reach out to Elena directly.

Required Materials & Accessories:

• Black, 1" 3-ring binder

• 2+ Pencils

• Rosin (D’Addario, Bernardel, Jade, Pirastro)

• Viola/violin only: shoulder rest (Fom, Kun, Everest, Wolf)

• Cello only: rock stop (with strap preferred)

• Microfiber cleaning cloth

• Portable music stand for home practice (Do not bring this to school unless asked!)

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES:

• Practice mute

• Humidifier for case

• Metronome/tuner (Korg) - alternatively, download the apps below.

• Spare strings (D’Daddario, Thomastik-Infeld, Pirastro)

• Stationary music stand for home practice

APPS TO DOWNLOAD:

• Tuner - Pitched!

• Pro Metronome

• Optional: Note Rush, Perfect Ear

A: USD 232 is privileged to exist in an area of the country where numerous string shops and musical instrument stores are within close proximity. These businesses provide information on rent-to-own programs for beginning music teachers to disseminate to families. Attend the Try it, Choose it, Love it! event for handouts and specific information. You will leave feeling empowered with the knowledge to obtain a good-quality instrument for your student at a reasonable monthly cost. If you are unable to attend the event, ask your student to bring home flyers and information from school.

If you have a private teacher, they should be involved in helping you to make a choice for an instrument that will enhance your student's abilities while staying in your price range. You should also feel free to reach out to Elena at any point during the school year regarding questions or concerns. 

A: Rental costs are based on the type, size, level, and quality of the instrument that you choose. These numbers are estimates for student- level instruments that represent the range of a number of local businesses for a complete outfit (instrument, bow, case, small accessories may be included).

• Violin: $25-$45/month

• Viola: $30-$50/month

• Cello: $40-$60/month

• Bass: $80-$100/month

Rent-to-own programs do not obligate you to purchase an instrument, but portions of monthly payments can be used as a credit to purchase that rental or an upgraded instruments if you choose. Some of these programs also cover small repairs and routine maintenance. 

Please note that most businesses require a deposit in addition to the first month up-front.

A: Again, costs are based on the type, size, level, and quality of the instrument that you choose. These numbers are estimates for student-level instruments that represent the range of a number of local businesses for the instrument only (case, bow, and accessories not included).

• Violin: $400-$1300 

• Viola: $600-$1,900

• Cello: $1,750-$3,000

• Bass: $2,300-$3,500

It is highly recommended to buy an instrument from an in-person business rather than an online storefront. Your student will be able to hold, try, and play an instrument before committing to buying it so that you can feel secure that your purchase is a good fit.

If you are looking to buy an instrument for an advanced student (let's say you are looking outside of the ranges above), you should be able to take an instrument on a trial loan at no or low-cost. Please consult your private teacher or Elena to help you through this process.

A: Most teachers and performers agree that truly mastering an instrument is a lifelong endeavor because there is always something more to learn and many things to improve. 

This is where I like to introduce parents and students to the triangle of string-playing. When one starts learning a bowed string instrument like violin, viola, cello, or bass, it is important to constantly separate the three primary skillsets that are needed.

1. The right hand for the production of sound and expression

2. The left hand, for the accuracy of pitch and expression

3. Note-reading and the intellectual understanding of music

Each of these skillsets must be separated and developed individually, then paired, and finally put together in order to execute a song or piece. As students grow and the music they play becomes more complicated, this idea remains. For mastery to occur at each level, a student must understand how to separate each skillset before synthesizing the complete triangle.

A: See the previous question on the importance and necessity of developing fine motor skills in both hands.

In string playing, the right and left hands are both used. They have different roles, but they must be coordinated. As a right-handed child, I was a "left-hand-centric" violin player, meaning my left hand was often ahead of my right hand in skill, development, and precision. This did not have anything to do with being right-handed, but it does demonstrate that as a musician I had a tendency to focus more on the development of the skills needed for string-playing on the left-hand side. Students may need to work harder at developing skills for playing a string instrument in their non-dominant hand, or they might, like me, need to focus more on their dominant hand!

There is a long-standing tradition of playing with the bow in the right hand and the instrument in the left. Instruments are purposefully designed for players to hold in that arrangement. In an orchestra, uniformity is an ideal of utmost importance - for example, bows must move the same direction at the same time for a cohesive sound. A mixture of "left-handed" instruments, which are really quite rare, can cause an unnecessary disruption to group coordination.

Exceptions for this rule include accommodations for players who may have limited control over their left hand fingers due to a medical issue or missing fingers, thus being a better candidate to use the bow in the left and hold the instrument in the right. 

A: This is based on years of experience more than by age. Treat these benchmarks as goals rather than hard and fast rules. Some students will build up interest and endurance to start practicing 30 minutes within the first month of school. Others may need months to work up to that. 

• 1st year: 15-30 minutes of daily practice at home 

• 2nd year: 30-45 minutes of daily practice at home

• 3rd year: 45-60 minutes of daily practice at home

• 4th year and beyond: 1-2 hours of daily practice at home

Daily may mean 4 days a week or 7 days a week, depending on the student and other family commitments.

*If you love playing your instrument and are interested in  playing competitively, a good rule of thumb is to practice 10 minutes daily for every year old you are. Example: A 12-year-old would aim for 2 hours (120 minutes) each day.

A: Playing ≠ practicing, and more accurately, rehearsing ≠ practicing. Practicing is an act of discipline that a student carries out independently with limited or no supervision. 

While a student will surely improve through active participation in class (ie: daily rehearsal at school), it is necessary to reinforce skills and focus on areas of improvement individually at home.

A: Just like there is a routine at school, each student will have a practice routine. A routine gives structure and allows flexibility based on the student's goals, energy level for the day, and assignments from school or their private teacher. Parts of a practice routine with examples include:

1. Tuning

• Use a physical tuner or the app Tuner - Pitched!

2. Warm-up (mental and physical)

• Stretching

• Rhythm work (clapping and counting)

• Listening to a piece of music in your repertoire and following along in your music

• Mental practice of a technique excerpt or piece

• Slow run-through of a technique excerpt

3. Technique

• Scales and arpeggios

• Method book assignment

• Etudes

• Rhythm work (playing)

4. Repertoire

• Songs or pieces from school

• A song or piece you want to learn

• ASTACAP assignment

• Music from your private teacher

• Music from youth orchestra

A: Some students have natural abilities that enable them to quickly and effectively develop skill on an instrument, BUT discipline will always surpass talent. Encourage discipline rather than praising talent; it will take your student so much farther in music and in life.

A: The best thing you can do for your student is encourage their practice at home and show up for their big events. If your student is looking for more opportunities outside of class at school, take a look at the Resources page and reach out to Elena for individual feedback. 

Common ways to take your playing to the next level include: enrolling in private lessons, joining a youth orchestra, attending a summer camp for young musicians, and upgrading your instrument.

If cost is prohibitive for your family, please talk to Elena. There are many scholarship opportunities and local programs that support musical studies for students in our community.