INSTRUMENT SELECTION MEETING
Welcome to the Spartan Orchestra! We are very excited to have you join and begin your music journey with us at SLJH. Not only will you become a successful musician, but you’ll also form friendships and find a family within the orchestra. The Spartan Orchestra has a tradition of excellence, valuing teamwork, commitment, and a passion for music.
In order to know which instrument is the best fit for you we are hosting Instrument Selection Meetings on Saturday April 29th. The meeting will start with general information, and then we will speak with each student individually to select an instrument in the order from our sign-up form.
In order to know which instrument is the best fit for you we are hosting Instrument Selection Meetings on Saturday April 29th. The meeting will start with general information, and then we will speak with each student individually to select an instrument in the order from our sign-up form.
What should I bring?
If you are brand new to playing a string instrument the only thing you need to bring is an idea of what instruments you are interested in playing. We offer violin, viola, cello, and bass at SLJH (piano and guitar are not an option). While we hope to get you your first choice, space in each class is limited; if we run out of space you will need a second choice.
AUDITIONS
If you have experience playing a string instrument and would like to be placed in a Performing Orchestra instead of the First Year Orchestra, you will submit a video of your playing and do not need to attend the Instrument Selection Meeting. Your audition will tell us which level of orchestra will be the right fit for your skills. All placement results will be available on May 25th.
Students must play 2 scales (two or three octaves preferred) of their choosing, as well as a solo or etude they have been working on with their private lesson teacher. Students should select material that they are confident in playing and that shows their highest level of skills.
More information on the specifics of how and when to submit your audition will be sent out after sign-ups close.
Students must play 2 scales (two or three octaves preferred) of their choosing, as well as a solo or etude they have been working on with their private lesson teacher. Students should select material that they are confident in playing and that shows their highest level of skills.
More information on the specifics of how and when to submit your audition will be sent out after sign-ups close.
ACTION REQUIRED FOR ALL INCOMING STUDENTS!
Due: 4/21
- For students with no experience
- Meeting Sign-Up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090c45a8ad2cabf85-fyoinstrument2#/
- Pre-Selection Questionnaire (to be filled out by students): https://forms.gle/4rBekoXvCwwfiWVz6
- For students with experience
- Audition Sign-Up: https://forms.gle/rVRfRrdWv4cgdqbk7
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I get an instrument?
- We work closely with the violin shops in the area and will provide detailed information on each shop so you can decide which to rent from. Because there are different sizes and qualities of instruments, we highly discourage purchasing an instrument for a First Year Orchestra member.
- We work closely with the violin shops in the area and will provide detailed information on each shop so you can decide which to rent from. Because there are different sizes and qualities of instruments, we highly discourage purchasing an instrument for a First Year Orchestra member.
- Do I have to carry my instrument back and forth to school?
- Violin and viola players will be required to bring their instrument back and forth to school each day. Some violin and viola players rent two instruments so that one can stay at school and one can stay at home.
- Cello and bass players will rent an instrument for home practice, however we have school-owned instruments for use during class. There will be a usage fee for the school-owned instrument due at the beginning of the year. The only time they will need their instrument outside of home is for concerts and performances.
- Are any instruments easier than others?
- No one instrument is easier than the others. All four of the instruments have their difficulties, so we recommend that instead you think of whether you want to play a higher-sounding instrument or lower-sounding instrument.
- No one instrument is easier than the others. All four of the instruments have their difficulties, so we recommend that instead you think of whether you want to play a higher-sounding instrument or lower-sounding instrument.
- Should I start private lessons before school starts?
- Private lessons give each student one-on-one attention that will propel them above the class average! We encourage each family to research a private lesson teacher over the summer and reserve a lesson time so that the lessons can start in the fall.
- Private lessons give each student one-on-one attention that will propel them above the class average! We encourage each family to research a private lesson teacher over the summer and reserve a lesson time so that the lessons can start in the fall.
- Should I start practicing over the summer if I don’t have private lessons?
- As we do not want any bad habits to form we do not advocate for students to start practicing while they do not have a teacher (classroom or private). Should you reserve an instrument through our recommended violin shops, they will drop the instrument off at the school for the orchestra directors to prepare for the first day of school.
- As we do not want any bad habits to form we do not advocate for students to start practicing while they do not have a teacher (classroom or private). Should you reserve an instrument through our recommended violin shops, they will drop the instrument off at the school for the orchestra directors to prepare for the first day of school.
- Does my child need to have any previous music training?
- Your child’s elementary music class has prepared them thoroughly for their first year of orchestra. While knowing how to read music already helps, we teach the students everything they need to know to be successful.
- Your child’s elementary music class has prepared them thoroughly for their first year of orchestra. While knowing how to read music already helps, we teach the students everything they need to know to be successful.
- Does orchestra meet every day?
- Yes! Orchestra is a scheduled part of your child’s day. They will have a place to store their orchestra materials in the orchestra room during the day.
- Yes! Orchestra is a scheduled part of your child’s day. They will have a place to store their orchestra materials in the orchestra room during the day.
- Does my child receive a grade for orchestra class?
- Orchestra is a graded class. We grade daily on effort and participation, have playing tests to benchmark progress, and take a weekly practice sheet as homework.
- Orchestra is a graded class. We grade daily on effort and participation, have playing tests to benchmark progress, and take a weekly practice sheet as homework.
- What does my child need to perform for an audition?
- Students must play 2 scales (two or three octave preferred) of their choosing, as well as a solo or etude they have been working on with their private lesson teacher. Students should select material that they are confident in playing and that shows their highest level of skills.