The Orchestra

1
The Orchestra

• All you need to know about the Orchestra Program
  at Lower Dauphin

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• You may navigate through this slide show simply
  by clicking your mouse button. You may jump to a
  specific slide by moving your cursor to the
  bottom left corner. When the arrow pops up,
  click on it and then click on Go, then click on
  By Title. This will allow you to jump to the
  instrument or slide of your choice.

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Why choose Orchestra?

• The string program will provide a strong
  foundation of lifelong skills. During the
  students progression through the program, they
  will proceed to master more complex skills, more
  advanced technique, and more challenging levels
  of string orchestra music. Disciplined work
  habits developed through practicing an instrument
  can be transferred to academic studies and other
  facets of life. It also develops the mental
  building blocks for critical thinking,
  concentration, and self-motivation. Music
  develops interpersonal skills such as teamwork,
  leadership, communication, cooperation or
  negotiation and working with others as well as
  the basic personal attributes required for
  problem-solving.
• Orchestra literature is one of Western
  cultures great treasures. Playing a string
  instrument integrates a persons physical,
  intellectual, and expressive qualities. This
  provides a positive experience at an influential
  period in the lives of the students.
• The opportunities for lifelong participation
  are numerous, either as an avocation or vocation.
  For those who excel in musical ability, many
  colleges offer scholarships for string instrument
  players. There are many community orchestras as
  well as countless church music groups. In
  addition to standard orchestra concerts, string
  instruments are also used in a variety of other
  musical settings. They often provide
  accompaniments for musical theater and choral
  productions. String ensembles are used for an
  endless variety of functions.
• Through participation in a string orchestra,
  students can experience an added dimension to
  their education. Playing a string instrument
  also gives students special opportunities for
  achievement and recognition through a variety of
  performances.

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Before you purchase an instrument

• Go through the following slide show patiently and
  read everything that you see. Weve tried to
  tell you here what is expected of EVERY
  instrument in the orchestra.
• We recommend that you purchase your instrument
  from a local instrument dealer. Contact your
  string teacher for information about these
  dealers.
• Buying instruments from big wholesale stores or
  from ONLINE services might save you money
  immediately, however these instruments are often
  generic or in bad condition and tend to break
  more often, costing you even more in repair than
  you spent on the instrument.
• Many of our vendors will not service instruments
  that are purchased from large wholesale stores
  because when they continue to break, it reflects
  poorly upon the service of our vendors.

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We want YOU to make an informed decision

• As a department, we have three different levels,
  each with different goals
• Elementary to find an instrument on which the
  student can be successful and to learn the
  fundamentals of music and of playing the
  instrument.
• (see slide 12 for more details on the Elementary
  program)
• Middle School to progress as a musician on the
  instrument, to have fun while participating in
  any of our various musical ensembles, and to
  learn how to play different styles of music from
  different time periods. Students are held
  accountable for their progress through the use of
  different playing tests.
• (see slide 13 for more details about the Middle
  School program)
• High School to continue the musical development
  and advance the technical skills of the student.
  Students are held accountable for their progress
  through performance venues and playing tests that
  measure student progress.
• (see slide 14 for more details about the High
  School program)

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The Instruments
7
The Violin

• The violin is the highest pitched instrument of
  the orchestra, because it is the smallest. As
  with all beginning string instruments, it is a
  good idea to rent an instrument that fits the
  size of your child. Your string teacher should
  be able to tell you which size is best. When
  your child is ready for a full-sized instrument,
  your string teacher will contact you.

8
The Viola

• The viola looks very similar to the violin and
  is played the same way, but is slightly larger
  and lower in pitch. The orchestra can always use
  more violas, so if your child is interested in a
  violin, but wants to be unique, try encouraging
  your child to play the viola. It is played
  exactly the same way and the difference in size
  barely affects the weight of the instrument.

9
The Cello

• The cello is a low sounding instrument that is
  played between the knees of the student. Just
  like the violin or the viola, smaller versions of
  this instrument can be rented to fit your child.
  At the middle and high schools, there are enough
  cellos that the students may have one to play at
  school and one to leave at home, so that they do
  not have to transport the instrument to and from
  school on the bus. At the elementary school, the
  availability of instruments will determine
  whether or not this same accommodation can be
  offered. Typically, this does not cause a
  hardship because of the fact that the elementary
  ensemble only rehearses once a cycle. At the
  middle and high schools, the students may need
  their instruments anywhere from 3 to 6 days per
  cycle.

10
The String Bass
The string bass is the largest instrument in the
string family is played either while standing up
or while sitting on a stool. Because it is the
largest instrument, it is the lowest sounding.
Like the cello, the school owns a supply of
string basses that the students may use during
rehearsal, so that the student does not have to
transport the instrument on the bus. Advanced
string bass players will be selected for the Jazz
Band at the middle school level based on string
teacher recommendation and band director
approval. At the high school level, all students
must audition for jazz band.
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Maintaining A String Instrument

• String instruments are very fragile and break if
  they are not well-maintained. Here are some tips
  for maintaining your instrument
• Always store the instrument in its case.
• Loosen the tension on the bow when it is being
  stored.
• Loosen the tuning pegs when it is being stored.
• Do not store the instrument in extreme
  temperatures. It should be stored at room
  temperature.
• Water on string instruments is badbad, bad,
  bad!!
• Rosin should be cleaned off of the instrument
  before it is returned to its case.
• Shoulder pads should be removed from the Violin
  and the Viola prior to storage in the case.
• End pins on cellos and string basses should not
  remain in the extended playing position while the
  instrument is being stored.
• Instruments should NEVER be left unsupervised
  outside of their cases.
• The instrument should NEVER be laid to rest on
  its bridge.
• When using soft cases, you should be extra
  cautious with the carriage of the instrument in
  order to preserve the bridge.

12
As time goes by and your child gets busier, what
is expected?

• ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
• At the elementary level, students are expected
  to put in time outside of school as they practice
  on their own. This is crucial to the development
  of the musician. A performance at the Lower
  Dauphin Elementary Arts Festival and at 2
  concerts a year are your only out-of-school
  commitments. Additionally, a few students who
  are selected for the Dauphin County String
  Festival or the PMEA District 7 Youth String
  Festival will have several out-of-school
  rehearsals along with the performance.

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As time goes by and your child gets busier, what
is expected?

• MIDDLE SCHOOL
• At the middle school level, students are not
  graded on practice time but should come to class
  with their music prepared.
• All performances are mandatory unless written
  notice is given at least two weeks ahead of time.
• - Performances include 2 Concerts per year and
  either an adjudication festival or a community
  performance. Additionally some students will be
  selected for Dauphin County String Orchestra or
  Full Orchestra Festivals, as well as the District
  7 Youth String Festival.

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As time goes by and your child gets busier, what
is expected?
HIGH SCHOOL Musical literature from the Baroque
period to Contemporary Music of today is
performed by the string and full orchestras.
Varied activities including trips, county,
district, and regional events, as well as public
performances all provide the interested student
with many opportunities to be a vital part of the
school community. Students should sign up for
Orchestra (course 1214) during course
selection if they are a string who wishes to
participate. Wind, Brass, and Percussion players
who wish to participate in the orchestra must
audition with the orchestra and band director,
and if selected should add Band / Orchestra
(course 1215) to their course
selection. EXTRA-CURRICULAR HIGH SCHOOL
ENSEMBLES Each year, the High School Musical
uses Orchestra members to fill the Pit Orchestra.
Interested students should contact Mrs. Weber or
Mrs. Cliff. All rehearsals and performances take
place outside of the school day and are mandatory
unless prior approval has been given for absence.
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PRIVATE INSTRUCTION

• Private lessons are recommended to all students
  who wish to pursue an instrument. One-on-one
  time with a professional musician will give those
  who study privately the opportunity to get
  special attention that is focused on their own
  development at a rate that works best for that
  student.
• Contact your string teacher to find out who they
  recommend as a private instructor for your
  childs instrument.

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Getting in touchwith your string teacher

• Mrs. Melody Cliff mcliff_at_ldsd.org
• Middle School / High School
• Miss Stephanie Rodgers srodgers_at_ldsd.org
• Conewago / Londonderry
• Mrs. Melissa Sheaffer msheaffer_at_ldsd.org
• Nye
• Mr. Caleb Stelle cstelle_at_ldsd.org
• South Hanover / East Hanover
• This presentation was created and edited by the
  LD Music Department. This slideshow is the
  property of the Lower Dauphin Music Department.