Orchestra Handbook/Syllabus

Overview

Welcome to Orchestra at TJMS!

Room: 117 Email: lamorris@wsfcs.k12.nc.us

Remind and Email is the best way to contact me.

See the full middle school handbook here **Students and parents need to sign the handbook acknowledgement form by August 30th.

New model KUN Violin or Viola shoulder rest. Check for the right size. Super easy to adjust and no parts to lose, or come loose.

KUN Violin or Viola shoulder rest. Check for the right size.

Bass/cello endpin anchor. Students should bring it to concerts with their instrument. It should also be marked with their name on it.

Get the right rosin. It comes in violin/viola or cello. Sherman's Violin Rosin is great. Other good brands are Kaplan, Magic Rosin, and Millant Deroux. Here is a guide.

Scroll down for more information.

This is a practice mute. Please order the one for your child's instrument. They come in different sizes.

Any music stand will do. If you have a piano, you might not need one. This is the most basic.

POPS bass rosin

Carlsson Bass Rosin

Full Length Mirror

Students will be asked to practice in front of a mirror at home. The bathroom works great, but sometimes parents want to have a full length mirror in a practice space.

Metronome

Students do not have to buy a separate metronome. We will use the board in class. They can download an app, or use a free online version. But they do need to practice with it.

Tuner

This tuner will be required as of January 1st 2026 due to state laws. We can also use a website on our Chromebooks. Students will not be able to take a Chromebook home this year. If you do get one, get one with a metronome build in.

ROSIN

Violin, Viola, and Cello Rosin: Magic rosin is always the best for violin, viola, and cello. This is followed by Colophane Millant Deroux, followed by Kaplan. As with anything for bowed strings, you can find non-usable junk, decent quality, and premium products that cost a lot of money. Rosin breaks when it dries out and/or you drop it because you are young and drop things. I have pictured a cheap alternative above called Sherman's.

Bass Rosin: This is completely different and cannot be shared with the other instruments. Please do not use Kolstien. It has made a comeback and works great, but it leaves a big sticky mess on the basses. If you need to purchase bass rosin, please use Carlsson or Pops. Carlsson is darker, Pops is lighter. You must keep bass rosin in its container. Pops will eat things and destroy surfaces if left open. Carlsson can also be sticky and be hard to get out of carpets.

Handbook Acknowledgement

The handbook is a homework assignment that students will complete with their parents for a grade by Friday, August 14th.

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