Elementary Strings Newsletter
April 10 - 23
Specatcular Job!
The video of the whole performance is embedded below. There is one additional video as we missed a soloist on Tuesday night and wanted to give her a chance to play her solo for everyone!
Excellent Audience Members
Our students were wonderful audience members on our trip to the symphony on March 30th. We listened to the Boston Symphony perform excerpts from Beethoven's Symphony No. 1, Marquez's Danzon No. 2, and a super cool piece featuring a DJ set up called Warehouse Medicine by Mason Bates.
Thanks to our nearly 40 parent chaperones who helped us get everyone there and back safely, and thank you to everyone who sent in snacks! A big big thank you to our FAPA coordinator, Rick Saunders, for driving one of our Hosmer buses, and Cunniff music teacher, Liz Schorr, for being our lead chaperone on the Cunniff bus.
Looking forward to next year's adventure!
Schedule Changes
Schedule Changes
APRIL:- ALL LOWELL students will meet Friday, April 7
- HOSMER WEDNESDAY students will meet on Monday, April 10th, 2023, instead of Wednesday, April 12, 2023
- The practice club will meet only on Monday, April 10th
- HOSMER WEDNESDAY 5th Graders will meet on Monday, May 22, 2023, instead of Wednesday, May 24, 2023 (4th grade will still meet on that Wednesday)
- CUNNIFF 5TH GRADE students will not meet on Thursday, May 25, 2023
Something to Think About...
I recommend Everest (pictured) or Kun (both under or very close to $30), but there are many options. Let me know if you have any questions!
MusicFest is Back!
high school bands, student ensembles, and individual performers. CLICK HERE for the registration link. You may even see some familiar teacher faces performing that night!
Practice Club and All City Orchestra!
All City Orchestra: Ms. Byham
All City Orchestra is an after-school group that meets on Tuesdays from 4:25 - 5:30. We are welcoming any and all string students who'd like to participate to join us! We will perform at the WMS/WHS Spring Concert on Weds. May 24th (7pm - 8pm).
We meet in the Watertown Middle School auditorium. All students who are in 4th and 5th grade are welcome to join! There is no cost to be a part of this group.
Practice Club: Mr. Frontz
Mr. Frontz leads our morning "practice club," an opportunity to practice your instrument, learn new music, and receive some individual instruction. This is not mandatory, as it is not a replacement for your regular school day lesson; however, it is a great opportunity to get some more time playing your instrument at school. Students must sign up in order to participate in this free practice club.
Hosmer students should enter through the doors leading into the cafeteria from outside. The door faces Mt. Auburn street. Students at Lowell W and Cunniff can enter through the main doors of the building.
- Hosmer: Monday or Wednesday 7:45 - 8:15 AM in the caf (only the day of your lesson)
- Lowell: Tuesdays 7:45 - 8:15 AM in the music room (you can join even if your regular lesson is on Fridays)
- Cunniff: Thursdays 7:45 - 8:15 AM music practice room
Play-Alongs!
Bows!
BOWS!
- We are working on our bow holds in 4th grade!
- Here is a Quiet Coyote Bow Hold video for students to reference
- Here is a slideshow with very clear photos and directions for how to form a good bow hold
- Once students are prepared to play their instrument with their bow, we will sign their bow license : )
Local Symphony Performances
- Lexington Symphony: Sat. April 15/7:30 PM @ Cary Hall, Lexington
- Boston Civic Symphony: Sun. April 30/3 PM @ Northeastern
- Rivers Symphony: Sat. May 20/7 PM @ Kraft Dining Hall, Rivers School (Pops!)
- Brookline Symphony: Sat. May 20/8 PM @ All Saints Parish, Brookline
- Lowell Philharmonic: Sat. May 20/2 PM @ Fushion Church, Lowell (Pops!)
- Longwood Symphony: Sat. May 20/8 PM @ Kresge Auditorium, MIT
- Firebird Pops (all pops, all the time!): Keep an eye out for upcoming events
Private Lessons/Outside of School Opportunities
Here is a link to private teachers in the area
You can also check out Attacca School of Music in Belmont (at the Trapelo/Bartlett intersection near CVS) or Powers Music School in Belmont (on Concord Street near Belmont Center).
Other Stuff
Mr. Frontz put together a really helpful practice page for our students, especially our beginners. This page is basically how we start our class each lesson. We've given a copy to each student, but in case they lose it or want to look on their computer, here are the PDFs:
Friends of Watertown Music
The Friends of Watertown Music is a parent organization that has been a major supporter of the fine arts program in Watertown for over ten years. FoWM is beginning to plan for our first MusicFest since 2019 and invites all parents who would like to help in any way. Email HelloWatertownMusic@gmail.com or call Chris Lowry at 617-923-0502 to learn more.
Practicing
We recommend students play their instrument 3+ times a week for at least 10 - 15 minutes each time to build muscle memory and reinforce habits taught in lessons. You can see what we worked on in lessons and what students should be practicing by clicking the button below.
Note Reading Game
- Staff Wars is an interactive app-based game to help students learn how to read the notes on their staff. It is $0.99. Absolutely not required, but a fun learning tool if interested.
- Apple devices
- Android devices
Helpful Links and Resources
- Tuning your instrument at home: follow this YouTube tutorial
- Here is a tutorial on how to hold the bow
- Here is a list of private teachers in the area
- Rhythm Packet #1
- Rhythm Packet #2
- Sight Singing Packet #1
- Sight Singing Packet #2
- Ms. Byham's favorite metronome app for iPhone
- Ms. Byham's favorite metronome app for Android
Class Schedule
Our lessons are grouped by classroom teacher. The schedule is as follows:
- Mondays (Hosmer) are Spillane/Thiemann, Doherty, Bellis, and Twomey's classes
- Tuesdays (Lowell West) are Corcoran, Spatz, and Burton's classes
- Wednesdays (Hosmer) are Mattson, Stone, O'Leary, Psychoghios/Hogan, and Gill's classes
- Thursdays (Cunniff) are all classrooms
- Fridays (Lowell) are Antonellis, Sudbay, and Brodeur's classes
Our lessons take place in the first part of the school day, between 8:30 and 10 AM.
Meet Your Teacher - Mr. Frontz!
Meet Your Teacher - Ms. Byham!
In addition to teaching, Ms. Byham has continued playing viola in community orchestras. She is currently a member of the Rivers Symphony and the Brookline Symphony here in the Boston area. She also enjoys taking long bike rides, walking her dog, and practicing photography.
Her absolute favorite thing about teaching string and orchestra classes is watching her students go from having no idea about the instrument, to being able to play with ease and confidence. She loves that she gets to work with the students for so long, seeing them grow and learn over the course of many years, making friends, and building community along the way.
About the Watertown Orchestra Program
Website: https://tinyurl.com/watertownorchestra
Phone: 617.564.1713
Facebook: facebook.com/WatertownFineArts