September 20, 2023

Hi everyone! Look for your orchestra to see what we did on Monday:

Beginning Orchestra

This week, we learned how to use our bows!

Bows are really tricky, and this is where the scratching and screeching may come into play! There are a few things that are difficult in this stage:

• Playing the correct string/only one string at a time
• Keeping your bow straight and away from the bridge (it is really squeaky if it is near the bridge!)
• Learning to use the sideways motion of the bow rather than push or use very little bow

We will continue to work on these things, but don’t be surprised if your student is a little discouraged at this stage. The best thing they can do is to practice! They will start to get it after a while.

This week, students should practice pages 4 and 5, but with the bow.

Intermediate Orchestra

Our first playing check-in is next week! You will go to a practice room and record yourself playing measures 5 through 13 of Maiden’s Rescue. This will help me know what we need to work on and also determine where you sit in the orchestra. Be sure to practice!

This is what we practiced on Monday:

• Maiden’s Rescue: Measures 5-13
• The Christmas Train: Measures 1-15
• Rain Dribs: Measures 1-13
• Rustic Dance: Measures 1-13

Advanced Orchestra

Our first playing check-in is next week! You will go to a practice room and record yourself playing an excerpt from Fantasy on Greensleeves. You will play these excerpts, based on your instument:

• Violins: Measures 5- 21
• Violas and Cellos: Measures 37-53

This will help me know what we need to work on and also determine where you sit in the orchestra. Be sure to practice!

This is what we practiced on Monday:

• Fantasy on Greensleeves: Measures 1-53
• Beyond the Thunder: Measures 13-29
• Appalachian Hymn: Measures 1-33
• Velocity: Measures 1-25

Happy Practicing!