Mamaroneck Schools

June of 2nd Grade

• The 2nd week of June, Ms. Rosen sees all 2nd grade students during General Music class.
• 3 string instruments are introduced: violin, viola, cello (String Bass is offered in 4th or 5th Grade)
• Ms. Rosen plays all 3 instruments for all students - discussing the different kinds of sounds (high and low), how the instrument is held and differences between the 3.
• Students are asked to think about what kinds of sounds are appealing to each one of them; does someone in their family already play a string instrument; does the family own an instrument.
• The student is asked if he/she studies the piano or any other instrument currently.

A letter is mailed home to all 2nd grade parents after Ms. Rosen has seen all of the classes in June.

3rd Grade string orchestra students receive one 30-minute lesson of instruction per 6-day rotation. Lesson groups range in size from 5 children to 11 or 12. The lesson group time is during the "DIP hour." Each grade level has one hour/day designated the time when small groups of students leave the class for other instruction.

In addition, 3^rd grade students receive a large group “sectional” in which all of the violin students come at the same time and all of the viola and cello players come at the same time. This sectional happens once during the 6-day rotation as well for 30 minutes.

Beginner string orchestra students spend September through December learning how to hold the instrument, play simple songs and basic scales. Starting in January, 3rd grade string students begin to learn to decode note reading. Beginners play in a Debut Concert in January.

Basic technical skills and note reading skills are combined in the Spring Concert where 3rd grade string orchestra students perform alongside the 4th and 5th grade string orchestra students in an orchestra setting. (Prior to the Spring Concert, 3rd graders may come to one or two extra rehearsals either at lunch time or 8AM.)

4th Grade string orchestra students receive one 30-minute small group instruction lesson per 6-day rotation. The lesson time is during the "DIP hour" of the school day. In addition to the small lesson group, the students come to a large group “sectional” in which all of the violin and viola players practice together and in a separate sectional – all of the cello and bass players practice. The sectional is also scheduled during the DIP hour of the school day once/6-day rotation.

4^th Grade string orchestra students all participate in an 8AM - 8:40AM orchestra rehearsal. This takes place once/ 6-day rotation. 4th Grade string orchestra students perform in the Winter Concert in December, the Spring Concert in May and the Murray Spring Fair in May.

5th Grade string orchestra students receive one 30-minute small group instruction lesson per 6-day rotation. The lesson time is during the "DIP hour" of the school day. In addition to the small lesson group, the students come to a large group “sectional” in which all of the violin and viola players practice together and in a separate sectional – all of the cello and bass players practice. The sectional is also scheduled during the DIP hour of the school day once/6-day rotation.

5^th Grade string orchestra students all participate in an 8AM - 8:40AM orchestra rehearsal. This takes place once/ 6-day rotation. 5th Grade string orchestra students perform in the Winter Concert in December, the Spring Concert in May and the Murray Spring Fair in May.