Expectations

Expectations for Orchestra Students

As part of membership in beginning orchestra, students and parents are agreeing to:

  • Have instrument in working order prior to the first lesson

Purchase listed supplies

  • Attend all rehearsals and in-school lessons

  • Practice instrument at home (at least 20 min/day, 5 days a week)

  • Keep the instrument safe from younger siblings (sometimes older too!), pets, extreme temperature changes, water, and other things that might hurt a fragile wooden instrument.

  • Attend scheduled concerts

Supporting your child through their first years playing an instrument

There are many ways that parents can help their children through their first two years of orchestra, even if they have never played an instrument themselves.

· Attendance: The beginning orchestra curriculum is designed with equal importance placed on orchestra and lessons. It is important that students attend every scheduled practice so that they don’t fall behind. Please keep the orchestra schedule in mind when scheduling doctor/dentist appointments.

· Practice Routines: Work with your child to schedule a daily practice time. Elementary students need assistance with time management and most need help establishing and maintaining a practice routine. This is especially true at the beginning of the school year, but there may be times during the year (such as the holiday season or when the student begins a new sport) when they will need additional support.

· Assignments: Your child will receive a weekly assignment for each lesson, which can be received both as a paper copy and on Google Classroom. Practice resources for assignments will also be shared on Google Classroom. If your child is having difficulty with part of the assignment, please check Google Classroom to see if there is a helpful resource already available. Assignment sheets and practice logs help students keep track of their practice and are my primary way of communicating to you what your child has been working on and how he or she is progressing. Please check this weekly and feel free to contact me at any time if you have questions.

· Helping at home: Even without musical training, there are plenty of things you can hear and see. Are they standing (or sitting for cello) up straight? Is their bow moving straight? Does it sound like they’re playing something faster than they’re ready for? Lots of this is just basic problem-solving. I’ll be sending home more detailed ways on how to help your child at home once the school year starts, but please know that you have the tools to offer advice to your child!