FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

     Do you have an orientation meeting to get more information?

Yes, usually the fourth week in August we will have an orientation meeting for new families to get an overview of the program, see & handle the different instruments so the students can choose one, and meet the directors. Please check the calendar page for the date & location. It will be posted in July.

     What are your ensembles?

 

Elementary Music Class   is for students age 5 - 9 that will teach basic music skills and give them a good foundation to start in an ensemble at age 10. The basics of music, composers, an overview of orchestra instruments will be taught through songs, rhythm games, handbells, and Orff instruments. This class is 40 minutes.

Elementary Chorus is for students in grades 3 - 5 and is a beginning vocal group.  It teachs basic music theory and concepts and beginning vocal skills.

Young Strings: The Young Strings Program is designed for students aged 4 to 8 to start instrumental music instruction with a violin. Studies have shown that students learn their music best when they start their instruction between the ages of 4 and 12.  While this is not Suzuki Violin Training, it is based on the principles of the Suzuki Training. We will require that the parent and the student each have an instrument, participate in the lessons together and practice together through out the week. This class will have two components to it – the private lesson (the student with their parent) for 15 minutes  and a 25-minute group lesson each week. This class has a separate fee structure.

Guitar Class 1 and 2 – We have both beginning and intermediate level classes for those wanting to learn classical/folk guitar. Students will learn technique and guitar literature. 

Beginning Orchestra and Beginning Band:  The Beginning Orchestra and Band are for those with no experience in playing an instrument who are 10 years of age or older as of December 31 of the current school year. The Beginning Orchestra is for the string  instruments - violin, viola, cello, or string bass. The Beginning  Band is for the wind and percussion instruments - flute, oboe,  clarinet, bassoon, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, French horn,  trumpet, trombone, euphonium, trombone & tuba. Both groups will be meeting once a week for 60 minutes. All students will  be expected to practice the music assigned by their director.

Intermediate Orchestra and Intermediate Band   are for students who have completed Beginning Band or Orchestra, or the equivalent. New students will be expected to audition for these groups. These classes will concentrate on developing technique and reviewing basic skills learned in the beginning classes. These classes are 70 minutes long.

Philharmonic Orchestra and Concert Band  are for the students who have at least 2 years of previous experience. New students will be expected to audition for these groups. The orchestra is for string players, while the wind ensemble is for wind, brass and percussion players. The orchestra and the wind ensemble will meet for 70 minutes a week.

Wind Symphony – is for the advanced wind/brass/percussion student.  The Wind Symphony focuses onmusic literature for the symphony (string, wind, and percussion) ensemble and chamber ensembles. This group will be made up of brass, winds and percussion instruments. Audition or recommendation of the instructor is required. 

Symphony Orchestra is for the advanced string student.  The Symphony Orchestra focuses on music literature for the string symphony ensemble, full orchestra and chamber ensembles. This group will be made up of string instruments, and combine with Wind Symphony for full orchestra. Audition or recommendation of the instructor is required. 

MS Chorus  is for the middle school student (in grades 6-8).  The Chorus will sing many different styles of choral music throughout the year, as well as beginning sightsinging and music theory. There is no previous music experience required, but any music training will be helpful.

Concert Choir   is an intermediate level group. Concert Choir will do four-part (SATB) music, and will sing many different styles of choral music throughout the year, as well as beginning - intermediate sightsinging and music theory. There is no previous music experience required, but any music training will be helpful. 

Advanced Choir  is the advanced level choir for high school students with more difficult repertoire, and theory and sightsinging. Students will also sing with the Concert Choir. A minimum of one year of experience is expected. Yearly auditions are required, which include a solo and sightsinging demonstration.

     Do we need private lessons?

Private lessons are encouraged for all instrumental students. Voice lessons are not recommended until high school. The private lesson is a specialist tailoring the teaching of the instrument or voice to the needs of one student, while teaching all of the needed techniques. While not required, the students learns faster because the two work together to meet the student's individual needs. Ensemble directors concentrate on group techniques, and most do not have time in the class period for individual instruction.

      What is the difference between band and orchestra?

A symphony orchestra is comprised of string instruments (violin, viola, cello, bass), woodwinds (flute, clarinet, etc.),  brass (trumpets, trombone, etc.), and percussion (timpani, chimes, bells) etc. It may also include piano (only one!) harp, etc.
A string orchestra just has string instruments.
A band is made up of woodwinds, brass, and percussion.

String instruments can be started as young as 7 - 8 years old,   but band instruments are usually not started until 5th grade   because young children are not physiologically able to play brass & woodwind instruments and the instruments are too large and cannot be "sized down" like string instruments can be. Violins, etc. come in sizes like 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 for younger players and are traded up to a larger size as the child grows.

     Do you offer payment plans?

Yes, you may pay your tuition & fees in 6 monthly payments. We also have limited scholarship funds available. Payments may be paid via PayPal.

    

    

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