Elementary Strings Newsletter
December 19, 2022 - January 6, 2023
CONGRATULATIONS!
WOW!
We are so so proud of all of our student musicians for their performances in the school concerts last week! It was so exciting to play with everyone all together, and so much fun to see our students in the bands and Lowell and Cunniff's choirs perform, as well. All of our student musicians should be so proud of themselves, and we are so excited about our concerts coming up next spring!
Click the links for concert performance videos:
All City Orchestra & Practice Club Cancelation:
- Practice Club canceled this week. Practice club will not meet again until Thursday, January 5th (no practice club this week, or January 3rd or 4th).
- ACO will not meet on Tuesday, December 20th or Tuesday, January 3rd. We will resume meeting again on Tuesday, January 10th.
Cunniff 4/5 Orchestra
Lowell 4/5 Orchestra
Hosmer 4/5 Orchestra
BOWS!
We are starting bow holds with our beginners! Students are being given thicker pencils in lessons to practice their bow holds with. This pencil should stay with their instrument. Linked further down in this newsletter is a video that leads students through the story we tell to remember how to hold the bow/pencil. Students are welcome to sharpen this pencil to use for our string classes!
Looking Ahead: String Spectacular! Thursday, April 6, 2023
The String Spectacular is our district-wide string concert, featuring all students from grades 4 - 12. It is currently scheduled (and will remain scheduled, barring anything crazy happening) for Thursday, April 6th, 2023, beginning at 7:00 PM. This concert will be an hour or less.
We will likely have our dress rehearsal on Thursday, April 6th, after school (more finite details to be communicated as we get closer!). I know some students will need help getting to WHS, and I can help coordinate some carpooling options.
Practice Club and All City Orchestra!
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
All City Orchestra: Ms. Byham
All City Orchestra is an after-school group that meets on Tuesdays from 4:25 - 5:30. 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. Sign up by clicking the button below!
Other Updates and Events Coming Up!
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.
Local Symphony Performances
- Check back in future newsletters! Many groups are currently on winter break.
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).
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