This Google Site is designed to give students and their families a precise list of all important information about the Hellgate Elementary Orchestra Programs.
Please read through this site (noting the additional page listed at the top of this page explaining "Car of Your Instrument") and sign and date the Orchestra Handbook Response Form. The Orchestra Handbook Response Forms are sent home with students on their first day of orchestra class.
Forms are due: Wednesday, September 2nd, 2026. As soon as Ms. Flesch receives the form, your child will be assigned a school instrument if there is one available. Thank you for your time with this important communication tool.
In orchestra we learn to play great music working as a team. The class is structured to give each student the balance between hard work and fun! In orchestra, students set their own personal goals and work on accomplishing the necessary steps to achieve their goals in class and during their own individual practice times. Due to the nature of music, we are a performance based class. Rehearsing for our performances and celebrating hard work through our concerts is a key part of what we are all about. Our orchestra class is designed and nurtured to be a place to explore music and have a great time learning music with friends. It is a fundamental principal that orchestra is a place to be yourself, let it all go and find your center for the rest of the day.
Heather Flesch began violin lessons when she was 3 years old at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville under Dr. John Kendall's Suzuki Pedagogy Program. Mrs. Flesch then studied and graduated from Luther College in 1996 with a performance in music degree. After performing in Europe she found her home in Missoula. Mrs. Flesch started the string tour group: Missoula Strings on Tour. Her private string studio toured France, England, Italy, Scotland, Ireland and Disney World. This past summer she directed the Missoula Youth String Ensemble (youth string musicians) in Vienna, Austria. She taught and co-directed the University of Montana's Suzuki String Institute and played with many symphonies in Montana (Missoula Symphony, Glacier Symphony, Great Falls Symphony, etc.). When the opportunity to start an orchestra program at Hellgate Elementary came about Mrs. Flesch switched gears to public education. She then completed a Masters in Education and Certification from Wisconsin Lutheran College. She is currently in her 15th year as a public school teacher. She is thrilled to be in a position to teach EVERY student that wants to learn a stringed instrument. From performing to teaching, the job may look different, but the goal is the same -- sharing a love of music with those around her!
5th Grade Orchestra
Monday, October 12th 6:00 - 6:30 pm - students meet at 5:30 pm
Wednesday, December 9th 5:45 - 6:15 pm - Students meet at 5:15 pm
Wednesday, March 10th 6:00 - 6:45 pm -- ALL Grades Meet at 5:30 pm
Tuesday, May 25th 6:00 - 6:30 pm - students meet at 5:30 pm
6th Grade Orchestra
Monday, October 12th 7:00 - 7:30 pm - students meet at 6:30 pm
Wednesday, December 9th 6:30 - 7:00 pm - Students meet at 6:00 pm
Wednesday, March 10th 6:00 - 6:45 pm -- ALL Grades Meet at 5:30 pm
Tuesday, May 25th 7:00 - 7:30 pm - students meet at 6:30 pm
7th Grade Orchestra
Tuesday, October 13th 6:00 - 6:30 pm - students meet at 5:30 pm
Wednesday, December 9th 7:15 - 7:45 pm - Students meet at 6:45 pm
Wednesday, March 10th 6:00 - 6:45 pm -- ALL Grades Meet at 5:30 pm
Wednesday, May 26th 6:00 - 6:30 pm - students meet at 5:30 pm
8th Grade Orchestra
Tuesday, October 13th 7:00 - 7:30 pm - students meet at 6:30 pm
Wednesday, December 9th 7:15 - 7:45 pm - Students meet at 6:45 pm
Wednesday, March 10th 6:00 - 6:45 pm -- ALL Grades Meet at 5:30 pm
Wednesday, May 26th 7:00 - 7:30 pm - students meet at 6:30 pm
Additional Performance:
Special Solo/Ensemble Days will be a time students perform in small ensembles and/or as a soloist. These performances happen in Building #4 Auditorium, during their regular scheduled orchestra class time on:
Tuesday, February 2nd
Wednesday, February 3rd
Thursday, February 4th
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
String Ensemble has additional concerts throughout the
school year in the Missoula community.
Tuesday, October 13h - Fall Kickoff Performance 6:30 pm - HED4 Auditorium
December 4th,5th & 6th - Missoula Symphony Holiday Pops Concerts - Dennison Theatre UM -- these are optional performances
Saturday, December 5th - Holiday Performance at the Missoula Public Library - Pictures with Santa (Holiday on Higgins)
Thursday, January ___th -Performance at Lady Griz 7pm
Thursday, February ___th -- Performance at Griz Basketball 7pm
Wednesday, March 31st - with Hellgate Middle School 8th grade choir
April date TBA—Music Showcase for 4th Grade—during school (with choir and band)
Wednesday, May 12th Spring Finale Concert 6pm
Tuesday, June 8th - 8th Grade Graduation (7th grade SE perform w/ select jazz band students)
Times and dates are subject to change. There may be additional opportunities for your child to perform. For the most up to date information please go to our HED4Orchestra Google Site. This site will not be updated past the first week in October.
Technique Skills
Note Navigator
Theory Worksheets
Playing Participation
Concert Performances
All five grading criteria are listed below and explained in more detail.
All assignments and concert dates are found on the HED4Orchestra Google Site (click here).
Time is set aside on Tuesdays for students to work on their technique and small sections of music that are tricky. Allowing students tot have this time to work at their own pace with assistance from me, is geared to give each student the appropriate challenge needed to accomplish a larger amount of skill. We will also study different technique skills, with the focus on fine tuning different finger positions, bow articulations, scale review, rhythm dynamic inflections, etc. It is an excellent time for students to improve their mastery of all the details that go into a brilliant performance.
On Wednesdays there will be quick checks on each students note articulation, intonation and rhythmic control. Students can perform the set task in front of the class on selected Wednesdays, or they can sign up for a time outside of class. Optional times are on the scheduled Wednesday before school, at middle school break or after school.
We will study music theory on the majority of Thursdays throughout the school year. Theory worksheets will be worked on in class and handed in at the conclusion of class. Setting time aside on Thursdays allows us to focus on the mechanics of how music works so we can better understand our repertoire and read music more accurately.
In every orchestra class students will demonstrate their determination and focus required for their own maximum learning. Individuals are graded on their own level of skill. Effort is the main ingredient in receiving a good score on participation. Students come to orchestra class with different backgrounds in music. Some students may have studied the violin since age three -- they have their on level and goals to meet, separate from a student that just picked up the violin for the first time in their lives.
All scheduled concerts and performances are listed on this website. All concert dates, for the entire school year, are listed on the website and Infinite Campus on the first day of school each year. Attendance is required at all scheduled performances. If you are unable to be in attendance at a scheduled performance, it is your responsibility to inform Mrs. Flesch of your absence 2 weeks before the concert date. There are limited performances so please remember to schedule your other events around our concerts. Concert attendance is a major part of your grade. Orchestra is a performance based class. Our performances are what our classes and lessons are centered around all year. It's such a special time to see all the students hard work come together!
If a student is unable to participate in our dress rehearsal (the day of the concert during regular orchestra class time) their chair will be filled to make sure all students are seated next to one another for sound quality, support of each other and stage professionalism. A reserved chair will be placed for an absent student if Ms. Flesch receives an email before 8:00 am on the day of the concert - explaining the student will be absent. It is imperative that all students are at the dress rehearsal. This is our only time to adjust our spacing, instrument placing and to relieve some nerves about playing in our beautiful auditorium.
If a student cannot make a concert date, a class presentation will be required to make up for the missed opportunity. Students need to email Mrs. Flesch directly to see what the requirements are for the presentation. Students are to submit their Google Slide Presentation to Mrs. Flesch no later than the day of the concert. Following the concert date, the student will present their Google Slide to the class. If you do not submit your presentation to Mrs. Flesch before or on the day of the concert you will receive a zero for the concert. Please, please be prepared and have your work in on time!Be kind to your friends and yourself
Be respectful of your personal items and others
Be ready to learn
Be responsible for your actions and words
Try your best, it's hard sometimes -- effort is everything!
Help other students if you are able
Listen to instruction and ask questions if you have one
Put your items away and clean up your area after class
IF a student has difficulty following one of these expectations a verbal question will be asked if they need time to sit somewhere away from others to cool off of re-center. Once the student has taken time to re-center they will be asked to rejoin. A student can also come back on their own accord if they are ready to begin again. If a student is beyond rational thought due to high emotion or stress they will be dismissed to the office.
We need to look as good as we sound when we perform our music. Students are asked to wear black clothing with accents of white and gray permissible. This does not mean each student needs to wear a formal tux or dress. A simple pair of black pants and black t-shirt will work. That being said, many students do opt to wear a nice pair of pants and white button down shirt or a black dress with dress shoes. Once again, this is middle school. Each student has their own comfort level and ability to express their personality with dignity and class when selecting what to wear to a concert. Keep it smart, clean and no blue jeans or shirt with printed logos/words please.
If for any reason a student cannot find clothes that fits this criterial, please let Ms. Flesch know! Accommodations will be made to insure that every student has the appropriate clothing available to them. Please give Ms. Flesch a minimum of two weeks notice if you need her to acquire concert attire for your child. We are a team -- If a student needs clothing we can all work together to find friends and staff that can help in this area.
Instrument
3 - Ring Binder with Music
Pencil
Shoulder rest -- violins & violas ONLY
End stopper -- cellos & basses ONLY
Learning Together Book -- 5th and 6th grade ONLY
Learning Together Book - Level 1 -- 5th grade
Learning Together Book - Level 2 -- 6th grade
If your family chose to rent a school instrument there is a $75.00 fee to be paid to school.
Please attach the fee to the form and hand it in to your building administrative assistant.
Sarah Dennis in Building #4 collects the money and RENTAL form for 7th and 8th grade students.
Angie Hill in Building #3 collects the money and RENTAL form for 5th and 6th grade students.
If your child is renting a Hellgate Elementary School Instrument and would like to take their instrument home to practice that can be arranged with the violins and violas. Included in this Google Site you will find a page dedicated to how to care for your instrument properly-- listed above as: Care of Your Instrument. Please take the time to read through the expectations and proper way to make sure your instruments stays in excellent condition while you are renting it.
It is highly encouraged to have a cello or bass at home for home practice
At this event, you can ask Mrs. Flesch questions about orchestra. Being a new family to orchestra brings with it a multitude of questions. Ms. Flesch will be available to answer any questions you might have and help guide you in the ways of renting or purchasing instruments, how to navigate our Google Classroom, Google Site, etc.
If you are at all interested in buying or renting an instrument, outside of the limited number available at school, this is the night for you! This is not a required event, it is designed to make it easier for parents if they are looking at the option of purchasing an instrument for their child. Music Medics will be on site with instruments ready to rent and/or purchase.
Parents, please bring any instruments you are looking to sell to this event. This is a great night for parents to find a used or slightly new instrument -- possibly from another family in our orchestras.
Once you have read all of the information on this page and the How to Care For Your Instrument page please:
Sign and date the Orchestra Handbook Response Form handed out to your child in class.
OR-- If you child misplaced the form--CLICK THIS LINK to print a copy of the Orchestra Handbook Response Form.
Once you and your child have signed the response sheet have your child turn it into Mrs. Flesch at school.
The Orchestra Handbook Response Forms are handed out to students on the first day of orchestra class each school year.