Welcome to the MES Orchestra!
July Newsletter
Greetings!
I hope you are enjoying your summer. It is hard to believe that it is already the middle of July!
Thank you for your child’s participation in the “Orchestra Test Drive” at the end of the 2017-2018 school year. Please review the information below and take action as necessary to help your child have a great start to his/her orchestra experience.
If after the “Test Drive,” your child was unsure about his/her instrument choice or instrument size please email me to clarify at sklicker@northallegheny.org. Please also email if your child has changed his/her mind regarding participating in orchestra.
Instruments
If you plan to rent your child’s instrument, please contact your vendor of choice as soon as possible (if you have not done so already).
The vendors will deliver the instruments to the school, giving me the opportunity to teach your child how to properly assemble his/her instrument and produce a proper tone during his/her first lesson.
If you plan to use an instrument that you already own or have borrowed from family/friend, please take it to a music store that performs repairs and have it checked to be sure it is in working order.
Required Materials
Book: All students need the book Essential Elements For Strings - Book 1 for their specific instrument. This book will be the primary print resource for lessons and practice.
Shoulder rests: For violin and viola students only
Recommended brands: Everest shoulder rests and Kun’s shoulder rests
Please be sure that the shoulder rest size matches the instrument size. Some shoulder rests are adjustable up to 2 sizes.
Some viola shoulder rest companies size shoulder rests the same as violins:
¼ violin size = 11” viola size
½ violin size = 12” viola size
¾ violin size = 13” viola size
4/4 violin size = 14” viola size
If you are renting an instrument, please ask the music store you're renting from to supply a shoulder rest with the instrument outfit.
If you are buying or already own an instrument, you can buy a shoulder rest from a local music store or the following websites:
Other Materials
Music stand - a foldable music stand is recommended for each student to use at home as he/she practices.
Shoulder rest bag: For violin and viola students only
A shoulder rest might not fit in the instrument case due to the size of the case. An easy and affordable solution to help keep track of the shoulder rest is to attach a pencil pouch/case to the case or attach a shoulder rest bag that is specifically designed to hold a shoulder rest. Below are links to shoulder rest bags:
More details, included in the "Orchestra Handbook," will be shared later as the school year begins. I look forward to the new school year and teaching your child to play his/her instrument! Please email me if you have any questions.
Best regards,
Sarah Klicker
Mrs. Sarah Klicker
Email: sklicker@northallegheny.org
Website: https://www.northallegheny.org/domain/2299
Location: https://maps.google.com/?cid=14551176834527572708
Phone: (724) 935-4044