Due to the uncertainty of COVID-19, dates and times are subject to change.
New Orchestra students (6th graders and beginning 7th graders) are to attend the Orientation and 4-Day String Camp at Brown-Barge before the first day of school.
Parent & Student Orientation
This orientation is mandatory! Both parent and student need to attend. Orientation affects your child's success in the Orchestra Program and helps soothe those anxious feelings regarding what to expect the first few days of school. At orientation, students and parents learn about expectations for student and parent participation, how to get their child's instrument, receive forms that need to be signed and returned (you will get hard copies of these forms at the String Camp as well), sign up for the Orchestra Newsletter, watch a presentation given by other orchestra students, learn how to create a practice space at home for your child and so much more! If you don't come to the Orientation your child will be able to catch up to the other students who were able to attend during the first few weeks of school.
Orientation date, time, & location: August Date TBA 9:00-9:30am in the Orchestra Room
Summer Orientation String Camp (for new Orchestra students in 6th & 7th grade only)
This is a one-week program designed to introduce your child to the instruments offered in Orchestra, get fitted for an instrument size (or change to a different one), and teach your child how to hold and play their instrument. Students will get to try out the violin, viola, cello, & double bass. Students who participated in 5th grade Strings at their Elementary school will be checked and adjusted for accuracy of techniques and are encouraged to try out a different instrument! Once an instrument has been chosen the student will need to be fitted for the correct instrument size. String instruments are available in 1/2, 3/4, and 4/4 sizes. For your convenience, Schmidt's Music, a local music store, will have a booth set up so students can get their instrument and supplies. The camp date, location, & schedule is below.
Dates: August TBA
Location: The Orchestra Room at Brown-Barge Middle School
Schedule: Monday - Thursday, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Monday
10:00 am Student Drop-Off & Orientation
10:30 am Music Basics (The Alphabet, Reading Rhythms, & Games)
11:00 am Instrument Try-Outs & Sizing
12:00 - 1:00 pm Lunch (students may bring a packed lunch or go out with their parents)
2:00 - 3:30 pm BBMS Instrumental Rental Event with Schmidt's Music in the Gym
Please leave your child's instrument with Ms. Naffe so that it can be prepared for tomorrow afternoon's activities!
3:30 pm Dismissal
Tuesday
10:00 am Student Drop-Off
10:00 - 10:30 am Announcements - Small Groups Formed - Ice Breakers and Reading Games
10:30 - 11:30 am Full Group: Parts of Instrument, Bow & Spine - Muscles and Joints in the Body Group Activity
11:30 - 12:00 pm Full Group: Posture Strengthening, Stretching, and Resistance Training
12:00 - 1:00 pm Lunch (students may bring a packed lunch or go out with their parents)
If you haven't done so yet, please leave your child's instrument with Ms. Naffe so that it can be prepared for afternoon activities!
1:00 - 1:30 pm Small Groups: Instrument Hold Part 1 & Bow Hold Prep - Full Group: Instrument Hold & Bow Hold Exercises
1:30 - 2:30 pm Full Group: First Songs :)
2:30 - 3:00 pm Full and Small Groups: Practice & Performance Prep of Left Hand Pizzicato Songs
3:00pm Dismissal
Wednesday
10:00 am Student Drop-Off
10:00 - 10:30 am Review & Music Basics
10:30 - 11:00 am Posture Strengthening, Stretching, and Resistance Training
11:00 - 11:30 am Small Groups: Instrument Hold & Bow Hold (Review) Exercises
11:30 - 12:00 pm Full Group: Bow Arm Motion
12:00 - 1:00 pm Lunch (students may bring a packed lunch or go out with their parents)
1:00 - 2:00 pm Shaping the Left Hand & Games
2:00 - 3:00 pm Full Group: Bow Arm Motion & The Open String Cycle. First Bowed Songs!! :)
3:00 pm Dismissal
Thursday
10:00 am Student Drop-Off
10:00 - 10:30 am Announcements and Review
10:30 - 11:00 am Posture Strengthening, Stretching, and Resistance Training
11:00 - 12:00 pm Full Group: Songs & Finger Patterns 1-5
12:00 - 1:00 pm Lunch (students may bring a packed lunch or go out with their parents)
1:00 - 2:30 pm Full & Small Groups: Bowed Songs & Games
2:30 - 3:00 pm Prep for Parent Performance!
3:00 pm Performance for Parents
3:30 pm Dismissal
See you on the First Day of School! :)