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In Orchestra, you will learn how to play an instrument from the STRING family . We believe that EVERY child can learn to play a stringed instrument and learn to play it well. Orchestra is for everyone!
In Orchestra, you will learn how to play an instrument from the STRING family . We believe that EVERY child can learn to play a stringed instrument and learn to play it well. Orchestra is for everyone!
Scroll down to learn about the different instruments, the orchestra teaching staff, and hear what stringed instruments sound like.
Scroll down to learn about the different instruments, the orchestra teaching staff, and hear what stringed instruments sound like.
Violin: smallest, highest-pitched, melody-playing, "fiddle"!
Violin: smallest, highest-pitched, melody-playing, "fiddle"!
If you want to be a fiddle player, the violin is the instrument for you! The violin is the smallest instrument in the orchestra and you play it on your shoulder. Because of it's high pitch, the violin usually performs the melody.
Viola: medium, middle-pitched, harmony (usually), the violin's "cousin"!
Viola: medium, middle-pitched, harmony (usually), the violin's "cousin"!
If you like the idea of the violin but don't like high sounds, the viola might be the instrument for you! A "sweet spot" combination of the violin posture and cello strings, the viola is a perfect "goldilocks (just right!)" instrument. The viola is also played on the shoulder and usually plays the middle notes/harmony parts in the orchestra.
Cello: big, low-pitched, melody and harmony, "the human voice"!
Cello: big, low-pitched, melody and harmony, "the human voice"!
CELLO! The cello is said to sound the most like the human voice. You play it sitting down, and the cello sometimes has the melody but more often plays the bass line in the orchestra.
Bass: HUGE, super-low pitched, the "backbone" of the orchestra!
Bass: HUGE, super-low pitched, the "backbone" of the orchestra!
It's all about 'dat bass! If you're a strong person with a strong sense of pulse, the bass is for you! Basses are so big that they need to be played standing up. They play very low notes!
***NOTE TO PARENTS: Cellos and Basses do NOT need to be transported to and from school...your child will have one to practice at home and ANOTHER to play at school.***
Now how do I get an instrument?
Now how do I get an instrument?
Families can acquire an instrument for their child in one of three ways:
1. Rent from a music store (highly recommended) - click here for music store rental options. White House of Music in West Bend makes weekly stops at our schools and will make sure your instrument is delivered to school and ready for your child's first day of Orchestra Camp at Silverbrook. They keep a list on file of the supplies that are required to keep your child's instrument in good working order.
2. Purchase an instrument - please read here before purchasing there are often deals online that look too good to be true, and there's nothing more frustrating for a beginning orchestra student than trying to play on an instrument that doesn't work.
3. Request a school owned instrument (for families that qualify for free & reduced lunch only) - you will have the option on the registration form to indicate your request. We do our best to give students their first choice of instrument, but cannot guarantee it.
Already own an instrument? Please get it checked over by a music store or band director to make sure it is in good playing condition before starting.
Questions? Contact Mr. Erdmann at rerdmann@wbsd-schools.org.
Who are the orchestra teachers?
Who are the orchestra teachers?
Ryan Erdmann teaches 5th and 6th grade orchestra at Silverbrook. He is from Appleton, WI and loves to play the bass. Besides teaching, he has a passion for composing and performing music. He is a huge NFL fan (go Packers!).
Jason Furman assists our program at Silverbrook and the High School. He loves to play Scottish fiddle and bake bread. He spends a lot of time coaching and playing hockey.
Jason Cicero teaches 7th and 8th grade orchestra at Badger. He is a guitarist and cellist, and likes reading fantasy novels. Ask him about the gummy bears in his classroom.
Mindara Krueger-Olson is our high school orchestra director. She is a phenomenal violin player and percussionist. She loves to study music from around the world, such as various forms of African Drumming and Mariachi music.
5 Reasons to Be in Orchestra:
It's good for your brain!
It's good for your emotional well being!
You can play any type of music you want!
You can play for the rest of your life!
Stringed instruments are beautiful!
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