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2 Overview of Tonight The String Instruments The Recruiting Process Lesson schedules / student responsibilities Home practice & commitment Parental involvement Obtaining an instrument Miscellaneous

3 Contact information Phone: your child’s school, then x The orchestra website: > > your child’s school > follow links from there

4 Benefits of Playing an Instrument Enjoyment Enhanced appreciation of beauty, the ability to express, and development of refinement Learning self-discipline and concentration Increased self respect and confidence Socialization

5 Benefits of Playing an Instrument (cont.) Increased intellectual development … the “Mozart effect” Learning to multi-task (i.e. do several things simultaneously)

6 The (Bowed) String Instruments Violin Viola Cello String Bass

7 The Recruiting Process 5th Grade: –In-school inquiry –Individually trying instruments of choice 4th Grade: –Musical aptitude test (given at end of 3rd grade) –Letter inviting enrollment –Individually trying instruments of choice

8 The Recruiting Process (cont.) 3rd Grade: enrollment letter and demonstration of string instruments –Note: only strings are available in 3rd grade; winds and percussion in 4th grade (and up). - To all: please finalize enrollment asap -

9 Lesson Schedule Lessons are: –20 / 25 minutes, once / week during the school day –Most lessons will be in groups of 2-3 students/lesson

10 Lesson Schedule (cont.) Akron – Clay – Fulton – (not yet finalized) Highland – EIS – ?

11 Student Responsibilities Be at lesson with instrument and book…. ready to play at designated time No instrument? See me before school Assembly during lesson? Come to school prepared anyway. Don’t know what to practice? Practice something! (i.e. review)

12 …. in other words … get the job done!

13 Home Practice 5 days/week, 30 minutes/day –A regular time is strongly encouraged Link to another regular activity (i.e. right after school) Before school in the morning Free from distractions (siblings, TV, pets, etc.) Seems long? Do two 15 minute segments/day Miss a day? Make it up on the weekend

14 Practice (cont.) Quality… –... is more important than quantity (though quantity is also important) –Short, consistent practices are better than irregularly spaced marathons –Beware the rule of repetitions A music stand is strongly encouraged.

15 Commitment Instill a long term focus in the child - –“Long term” speaks of duration. –Maximum benefits can only be attained over the long term. –There will be up and down cycles over the long term - there will be mundane, non-exciting times.

16 Commitment (cont.) Some low times… –After Christmas of the first year. –After the spring program/at the end of the first year. –The beginning of school in September. –When a friend discontinues/peer pressure. Be there to help them follow through - they will need you.

17 Parental Involvement BE PROACTIVE!! –Give attentive and supportive listening to your child’s practice. –Have home concerts - especially at family gatherings…. Children love to perform! –Attending lessons (regularly or otherwise)…. even if you aren’t ‘musical.’ – …. Your ideas ??? ….

18 Obtaining an Instrument See handouts …. also: –You will need to know the correct size of instrument BEFORE ordering. –You will need String Builder Book I (a few students will pilot String Basics). –A music stand is strongly encouraged.

19 Recommended Instrument Vendor Judd Violins Note: please do not use other vendors (including the internet) without advance teacher clearance. … Thank you!! …

20 Miscellaneous The instrument: –Tuning: more info at first lesson –Bow tightness: more info at first lesson –Care: keep in case except when not in use (cello & bass may be stood in an out-of-the-way corner) avoid extremes/changes of temperature or humidity repairs - done by a professional only… absolutely no glue!!!

21 Miscellaneous (cont.) Progress reports/grades - January & June Orchestra (is a required component) –All beginners: Saturdays starting mid-February –Non-beginners, 4 th grade: after the school day –Non-beginners, 5 th grade: during school Summer instruction - voluntary, but strongly encouraged Fingernails - must be kept short

22 LGI Schedule

23 Remember…. Even Mozart was once a beginner!!

24 Before you go… Enrollment finalized? Instrument size? Sign attendance sheet? Sign up for two extended lessons? Questions? See me, or jot a note…. > your school > strings/orchestra site