STRING CLASS YEAR-LONG ELECTIVE INFORMATION

 SIGN-UP INFORMATION FOR THE STRING CLASS ELECTIVE

Learning to play an instrument and belonging to an orchestra or string ensemble group opens up a whole new world of friendship and fun.

The opportunities for playing a stringed instrument after high school are abundant, with many universities offering scholarships just for for orchestra participation.

String playing provides a great foundation for all aspects of life. 

In addition to music students learn:

Self discipline

Group cooperation

Problem Solving

Goal Setting

Enhanced Physical Coordination

Importance of Teamwork

Self Expression

Memory Skills

Concentration

Poise

These are skills in great demand in almost every aspect of life.

Class Information:

My string classes are year-long electives which emphasize the basics of string playing (mainly violin) with the objective of putting on performances at least twice yearly in winter and spring. Even though both beginning and advanced classes meet different class periods we perform at 2 yearly concerts together playing the same music. The music is taught in separate parts at varying levels of harmony and melody which we all fit together at dress rehearsals just prior to the concert. Varying levels allows for students to learn and progress at their own pace as advanced and beginning parts can be played together at the same time even in the same class period.

Type of music we play:

In my attempt to try to show students that string instruments are capable of playing any type of music I try to vary the music accordingly.  Generally, music we play for the fall “Harvest Festival” is of a folk style (fiddle, mariachi, etc.).  Our winter concert is more classical in nature with some modern holiday tunes added in.  For spring we perform mainly pop and movie-type music.  I even have a few electric violins that we have used from time to time when it is appropriate for the music we are playing.

I believe that my students will intrinsically want to practice if they play music that they suggest so I take “requests” and try to find and/or arrange the music they ask for whenever possible. To help them with their home practice, whenever possible, I provide them with audio MP3 accompaniment files which they can access through their school “Google Docs Account” (every child in the school is given one).  This makes home practicing a lot of fun!

Any child who needs extra help or wants to move ahead faster is allowed to come after school (as long as there is parent written permission) except for on minimum day Tuesdays.  Many of my students just come after school to practice with their friends and that makes the atmosphere of my class very welcoming; we are playing music for the pure joy of it and at the same time making some life-long friendships!

Grading:

Grading is based mainly on participation and teamwork; students following directions and trying their best is all I ask. 

Requirements:

ALL STUDENTS ARE WELCOME TO JOIN the only basic requirements I have is that:
1.  THE STUDENT WANTS TO LEARN A STRING INSTRUMENT AND IS WILLING TO COMMIT TO IT FOR THE ENTIRE SCHOOL YEAR

        2.   THE STUDENT SIGN-UP FOR THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL CLASS


        There are 2 year-long (multi-grade level) string classes offered:  BEGINNING and ADVANCED.

BEGINNING:

The beginning class is for students with no prior knowledge of strings and there is note reading required. Everyone starts from the beginning with an emphasis on violin. Students wishing to switch to cello, bass, or viola may be allowed the opportunity later on in the year if instrument availability allows. (Transference from one member of the string family to another is usually very successful once the basics are learned.)

ADVANCED:

The advanced class is for students with prior knowledge of strings and some note reading is required.  This class incorporates the different instruments of the string family as the availability of instruments allows.  Besides the 2 yearly performances with the beginning string classes (in winter and spring) we also play at the fall “Harvest Festival” concert and the “6^th Grade Orientation” (volunteers) in spring.

OBTAINING AN INSTRUMENT:

Students are loaned instruments to use for the school year for free.  In order for students to take the instrument home for practice a “loan form” (where the parent agrees to be responsible for the instrument when it is away from the school) needs to be filled out and signed. Parents may supply their own instrument for their child.  All the music is supplied by the school.

***When students sign-up to learn to play a string instrument it must be understood that because of the difficulty of the instrument they must commit to the entire year elective.  My teaching specialty is strings (violin) and I teach using a leveled/ layered approach where each layer taught is carefully planned so it leads to the next.  This slow and deliberate approach actually produces better and ultimately quicker results so by the end of the school year there is dramatic progress.