WELCOME !!!

… and did you sign in??

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Overview of Tonight

• The String Instruments

• The Recruiting Process

• Lesson schedules / student responsibilities

• Home practice & commitment

• Parental involvement

• Obtaining an instrument

• Miscellaneous

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Contact information

• Phone: your child’s school, then x14134

• Email: g_reed@easdpa.org

• The orchestra website: > www.easdpa.org

> your child’s school

> follow links from there

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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

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Benefits of Playing an Instrument (cont.)

• Increased intellectual development … the “Mozart effect”

• Learning to multi-task (i.e. do several things simultaneously)

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The (Bowed) String Instruments

• Violin

• Viola

• Cello

• String Bass

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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

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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 -

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Lesson Schedule

Lessons are:– 20 / 25 minutes, once / week

during the school day– Most lessons will be in groups of

2-3 students/lesson

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Lesson Schedule (cont.)

• Akron –

• Clay –

• Fulton – (not yet finalized)

• Highland –

• EIS –

?

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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)

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…. in other words …

get the job done!

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 ??? ….

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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.

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RecommendedInstrument Vendor

Judd Violins

Note: please do not use other vendors (including the internet) without advance teacher clearance.

… Thank you!! …

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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!!!

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Miscellaneous (cont.)

• Progress reports/grades - January & June• Orchestra (is a required component)

– All beginners: Saturdays starting mid-February

– Non-beginners, 4th grade: after the school day

– Non-beginners, 5th grade: during school

• Summer instruction - voluntary, but strongly encouraged

• Fingernails - must be kept short

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Each student will need to attend the two lessons represented by any one box to the right of your instrument.

Monday Sept. 26 & Tuesday Oct. 11

Tuesday Sept. 27 & Wednesday Oct. 12

Violins &

Violas 3:45PM 5:00PM 7:30PM 3:45PM 5:00PM 6:15PM

Cellos

6:15PM 7:30PM

Basses - Lessons will be individually scheduled –

All lessons: Are approximately 70 minutes in length. Please be prompt! Are at Fulton School. A PARENT IS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND.

LGI Schedule

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Remember….

Even Mozart was

once a beginner!!

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Before you go…

• Enrollment finalized?• Instrument size?• Sign attendance sheet?• Sign up for two extended lessons?

Questions? See me, or jot a note….

g_reed@easdpa.org/www.easdpa.org > your school > strings/orchestra site