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WELCOME !!!. … and did you sign in??. Overview of Tonight. The String Instruments The Recruiting Process Lesson schedules / student responsibilities Home practice & commitment Parental involvement Obtaining an instrument Miscellaneous. Contact information.
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WELCOME !!! … and did you sign in??
Overview of Tonight • The String Instruments • The Recruiting Process • Lesson schedules / student responsibilities • Home practice & commitment • Parental involvement • Obtaining an instrument • Miscellaneous
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
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
Benefits of Playing an Instrument (cont.) • Increased intellectual development … the “Mozart effect” • Learning to multi-task (i.e. do several things simultaneously)
The (Bowed) String Instruments • Violin • Viola • Cello • String Bass
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
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 -
Lesson Schedule Lessons are: • 20 / 25 minutes, once / week during the school day • Most lessons will be in groups of 2-3 students/lesson
Lesson Schedule (cont.) Akron – Clay – Fulton – (not yet finalized) Highland – EIS – ?
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)
…. in other words … get the job done!
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
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.
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.
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.
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 ??? ….
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.
RecommendedInstrument Vendor Judd Violins Note: please do not use other vendors (including the internet) without advance teacher clearance. … Thank you!! …
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!!!
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
Remember…. Even Mozart was once a beginner!!
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