Beginners' Orchestra
(Grade Four SA and IF)
Program Overview
District 95 offers orchestra to those students at the beginning of their
fourth grade year. Students may chose to play either the violin, viola,
cello, or string bass. Students
receive one small group sectional class each week during the school day. These
small group sectionals are a half an hour in length and are structured to
give each student the greatest amount of personal skill development as
possible. In addition to the sectional class, each fourth grader participates in
the before school rehearsal that takes place every Tuesday morning.
These rehearsals, which last for one hour, are primarily used to develop
large ensemble performing skills such as following a conductor. The
fourth grade orchestra students from Isaac Fox and Sarah Adams use the Essential Elements 2000 Method Book I as published by
Hal Leonard.
Stringed instrument instruction will continue to be available to your
child through the 12th grade. Learning to play an instrument and
belonging to the school orchestra opens up a whole new world of
friendship and fun. Your child will be able to take advantage of music
performances with orchestras at the middle school and high school 
levels.
The opportunities for playing a stringed instrument after high school
are abundant, with many universities offering scholarships for orchestra
participation. Orchestra provides a great foundation for your child in
all aspects of life. In addition to music, students learn
self-discipline, group cooperation, problem-solving, goal-setting,
self-expression, memory skills, concentration, poise, enhanced physical
coordination, high self-esteem, and the importance of teamwork - skills
in great demand in almost every aspect of life. Like all the arts,
music has a profound effect on the academic success of students as well.
For more information about the Beginners' Orchestra,
click on the following related areas:
Return to Orchestra Homepage
Page Sponsor: Dave Gardner-Principal
Author: Ron Polomchak
Webmaster: Al Willer
Created: April 22, 1999
Updated:
Sunday September 13, 2009