• 10 REASONS

    HOW DO I JOIN THE SGASD STRING ORCHESTRA PROGRAM IN 3 EASY STEPS?

    STEP 1:  WHAT IS A STRING INSTRUMENT?

      • An assembly explaining the string instruments was performed at each elementary school.  Then, 3rd grade students were given the opportunity to hold and play the open strings of each string instrument offered at school - the VIOLIN, VIOLA, CELLO, BASS.  STUDENTS WHO ATTENDED ONE OR BOTH OF THESE ACTIVITES RECEIVED HANDOUTS/INFORMATION ABOUT THE STRING PROGRAM.   For more information about the string instruments, please click on the link: https://www.bepartofthemusic.org/bpoto/index.html


    STEP 2:  READ INFORMATION ON HOW  THE SGASD STRING PROGRAM OPERATES DURING SCHOOL.

    • 1.  String Lessons are during the school day - 1 lesson per cycle.
    • 2.  String lessons are a pull - out activity, meaning they will be pulled out of the classroom to go to string class.  This is usually not a problem.  We all work together to make sure        all students are successful in their academics, as well as their string instruction.
    • 3.  String lessons are in groups by instruments when possible. (Violins with Violins; Violas with Violas.... 3rd graders with 3rd graders.....)  
    • 4.  Students are responsible for having their instrument, a pencil, a 3 ring binder, and any other handouts needed for the school lesson.                Students who forget one or all of these items should still attend the school string  lesson as an observer. Students may be sent back to their classroom if the student's                    behavior/choices become a distraction to the learning process.
    • 5.  I am responsible for teaching string concepts /music in an engaging manner during the school day.  String students will be given a "Play at Home"  assignment/homework              from what was learned at the school lesson each cycle.   String students/ families are responsible for practicing their string homework, so they are prepared for the next                school string  lesson and we can progress to the next technique.  
    • 6.  Students are responsible for following the directions, expectations, procedures, and rules of the string lesson class and school. This information will be handed out at the first          lesson, Cycle 4.
    • 7.  The only activity outside of the school day is our spring concert in April. More details will be sent home closer to the concert date. Please treat this like a championship game -        I need all of the string players in attendance as everyone is important on this team! Nobody sits the bench in strings! The concert date is already on the school calendar!          Please inform coaches, dance teachers, instructors, leaders, etc..... so they know the string student will be at the concert.  
    • 8.  At this time, elementary strings is not a graded activity. However, I will be sending home progress reports. 
    • 9.  Please read this together as a family  and decide which string instrument you wish to start before going on to step 3.


    STEP 3: REGISTER / OBTAIN A STRINGED  INSTRUMENT

    You will need your instrument  and a 3 ring binder by Cycle 4 – your first lesson. 😊

    YOU WILL NEED THE HANDOUT FROM THE TRYOUT ACTIVITY WITH THE SIZE OF THE INSTRUMENT TO RENT YOUR INSTRUMENT

    • 1.  REGISTER YOUR STUDENT USING THE GOOGLE FORM.  THIS WILL AUTOMATICALLY PUT YOUR STUDENT ON MY CLASS ROSTER. USE THIS LINK:
    • https://forms.gle/zugA8w4C3kwpe8vEA
    •  
    • 2.  I strongly suggest getting your instrument from Menchey Music Service – see flyer/videos below. They offer a rental plan with a maintenance plan. If you break your instrument, they repair/replace it for FREE. Also, they have a rent-to-own plan. As your child grows, Menchey’s will provide the size of instrument that is necessary. Your payments go towards your next-size instrument – which you can then own.  MENCHEY MUSIC WILL DELIVER YOUR STRING INSTRUMENT TO YOUR SCHOOL BEFORE THE FIRST LESSON.  This is good as the student will not be able to touch the instrument and possibly break it before the first school lesson.
    •  
    • Remember – your instrument fits you now and as you grow, your instrument will need to grow with you. Menchey’s plan gives you 100% towards your next size instrument – because we need you to play longer than just one-year. 😊
    • If you choose to buy an instrument outright, you will need to buy another instrument when your child grows out of the first one. You will need to figure out what to do with your old instrument.
    • Please do not buy instruments online. They are usually not quality instruments and break easily – and there is no maintenance plan. Also, if you break the instrument you bought, most music stores will not be able to repair it. Most instruments purchased from the internet are not put together when you first get it and you would need to take the instrument to a music store to have it set up properly before the first lesson - cycle 4 
    • At this time, there are no school string instruments available to use at home.
    • When you get your instrument, please look - do not touch. You do not want to have a broken instrument for your first lesson.

    If you have any questions about the string program, please contact Mrs. Gross at grosss@sgasd.org. If you have any questions about a rental plan, please contact the music store you wish to deal with. 


    If the student missed the string exploring meeting, I can size them when I am in their school building next.

    How to Rent an Instrument Online 

     

     

    OTHER IMPORTANT STRING PROGRAM INFORMATION:

     

     

    *HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR INSTRUMENT  

    Please do not get your instrument out of the case before the first lesson. This way, all instruments will be in good working order for the first lesson:)


    INSTRUMENT CARE
    VIDEO - HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR INSTRUMENT :)

    *

    WHEN DO I NEED TO BRING MY INSTRUMENT & MATERIALS TO SCHOOL?

    I would like to start school string group lessons on Cycle 4.  Mrs. Gross's schedule AS OF 5/2023 should be:

    Day 1 = Paradise, AM and SGAMS, PM
    Day 2 = SGE
    Day 3 = SGAMS (7th & 8th graders need their instruments days 3 & 5)
    Day 4 = SGI (5th & 6th graders need their instruments days 4 & 6)
    Day 5 = NSE, AM and SGAMS, PM
    Day 6 = SGI (5th & 6th graders need their instruments days 4 & 6)

    The day I am at your school is the day you need to have your instrument, 3 ring binder with handouts, songs, packets,  pencil, music and have practiced your string homework so you are prepared and we can progress to the next technique.... :)

     

    *HOW DO I KNOW WHEN TO COME TO MY LESSON DURING SCHOOL?

    Once everyone has registered on the Google form, then I will work with the classroom teachers as to what time your string lesson will be. Remember,  as a string musician, you are part of a privileged group of students who get out of class to learn/play a  string instrument. Please follow all school rules - especially in the hallways. Also, you must work with your classroom teacher to discuss what you will be missing during your string lesson.  A schedule will be made and posted in the classroom. (schedules will take a while to solidify as we may have some students joining after the start date/cycle 4)

     

    PRACTICING AT HOME

    At school string lessons,  I will inform students of the importance of practicing at home. I have many fun songs and activities on Schoology so that the students do not become "bored".  All string students are different - so I like to provide a variety of practice activites that the student may pick and choose to do.

      Parents/ guardians at home have the responsibility of helping their string musician find a practice routine that works with your home family schedule.  Instrument practice will look and sound different each time they practice.  Home practice  can  include stretching exercises, instrument/bow hold activities,  silent practice ( where  string students are memorizing notes on the staff), music writing (where string students are writing in fingerings/note names, using repetition on problem areas, song/piece run throughs......  Home practice may require some creative thinking. (For example, my daughter would take her cello book in the car as we were going to dance practice - and she would practice her note reading/writing and "air" playing in the car as her practice).  Also, practicing an instrument at home can sometimes be lonely.  One idea is that string students could practice together - like a "play" date .

    Schoology is used as a practice tool.  I have  practice tracks, a copy of the packets, extra music, and activities on Schoology.  

    String homework called "Play at Home" will be a handout and their assignment/homework will be marked on this handout.  This is also where they will mark the days they practice.  My suggestion for beginning string players is to practice 5-10 minutes 5 times a week.  

    REMINDER:  THE STRING PROGRAM IS NOT A PRE-BAND PROGRAM.  I NEED STUDENTS TO PLAY STRINGS FOR MORE THAN ONE YEAR:) IF A STUDENT WANTS TO PLAY A BAND INSTRUMENT, PLEASE WAIT UNTIL 4TH GRADE WHEN IT IS OFFERED:)  ALSO, ONCE IN 4TH GRADE, STUDENTS CAN PLAY 2 INSTRUMENTS ( STRINGS AND BAND)

     

     

    VIRTUAL LEARNING - STRING LESSONS.

    In the event there is no school due to inclement weather or other reasons,  I DO NOT USE ZOOM AS THE DELAY MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO PLAY TOGETHER.  The morning of the Virtual Learning Day, I will create an audio string lesson and email this to the email that is on the Google Form.  The string student would practice this lesson at home to prepare for the next in school string lesson.

     

    MISSED SCHOOL STRING LESSONS

    There are times when school string lessons do not occur.  When I am absent from school ( either I am sick, have a doctors appointment, or I have a performance with my older string students / ensembles)  , a substitute is supposed to be secured for me.  However, the substitute is usually NOT a music substitute or they take my substitute - in the event of a substitute shortage - and put my substitute in another academic class.  In this case, the string lessons would be cancelled until the next string lesson.

    Another reason a string lesson would not occur would be due to school-wide assemblies, testing- like the PSSA, school delayed openings, school early dismissals, string student is absent from school......

     

     

    ........
    Please feel free to contact Mrs. Gross with any questions or concerns at: grosss@sgasd.org. When contacting Mrs. Gross, please include the student's name, school, and grade. I look forward to teaching you about the string instrument and starting you on your  stringed instrumental musical journey!

    - Mrs. Gross