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Welcome to 5th Grade Orchestra!

  

Moving into a new building and becoming familiar with all of the new procedures can be daunting.  Please take a moment to both scroll down on this page, and go through the tabs on this site, since the most commonly asked questions have been addressed.  I look forward to meeting and working with your children!

 

 

Please feel free to peruse these tabs for basic information.  This page will be updated occasionally, but the main communication will occur through email and Google Classroom for the 2023-2024 school year. 

 

 Google Classroom Code:  To Be Announced 

 

 2023 BTSN Slide Show Link:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1KvEO1o51dbrPra9Hd3bOSYCSAFRy08LeLIPAavgftlc/edit?usp=sharing

 

 

Mrs. Gaudet's Virtual Classroom Link:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1VC7BGh9dECMG8x3c-vqO-_C1RfEYJFgo6iNA8WovOlA/edit?usp=sharing

 

 

 

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 *** In the event of a delayed opening ***

before-school rehearsal will be cancelled;

in-school lessons will  take place.

 

 

Updated Sept. 19, 2012, Still valid Autumn 2023


What is the best way to contact Mrs. Gaudet?
Email is the best way:  [email protected]

  

PLEASE NOTE:  Instrument sizing depends on factors other than height and arm length.  If I feel your child is struggling with the size of the instrument you have obtained, I will send a note home and indicate what the new size should be.  If you are trying to rent, *always err on the smaller size instrument.

 

WHAT BOOK WILL WE USE?

Essential Elements 2000, Book 1

 

DO I NEED A SHOULDER REST?
Violins and Violas - yes. To be held properly a shoulder rest is used. There are many types, shapes, and price ranges. *NOTE* Most students find the "Kun Collapsible" the most comfortable by far. If you shop around you can get one for about twenty something dollars. Check your local music stores and swstrings.com.
*Also note* there are some Kun 'knock-offs' out there which are amazing examples of poor quality/craftsmanship. If you decide to buy a Kun knock-off, please save your receipt in case I recommend it be returned. If you are unsure, just wait until your child starts lessons and I will send a paper home detailing my recommendation for your child.

 

If you play:

1/4 Violin - get a Kun Mini Collapsible (they are available in different colors!)

1/2 Violin - get a 1/2-3/4 size shoulder rest.

3/4 Violin - get a 4/4 size shoulder rest.  (Yes, 4/4.)

4/4 Violin - get a 4/4 size shoulder rest. 

 

VIOLAS must buy a "violin" shoulder rest. (A true viola shoulder rest is for sizes 15-18".)

If you play an 11" viola - get a violin Kun Mini Collapsible (they are available in different colors!)

If you play a 12" viola - get a 1/2-3/4 size violin Kun Collapsible shoulder rest.

If you play a 13" or 14" viola - get a 4/4 size violin Kun Collapsible shoulder rest.

 

SHOP AROUND. Prices can vary from $21.99-$65 for the same 'hunk of plastic.'

Check with your vendor, check swstrings.com, check sharmusic.com, check amazon.com.

 

DO I NEED A FOLDING MUSIC STAND?
  A folding music stand is not mandatory but enhances practice production and posture dramatically. Again, shop around for the best price. Unlike shoulder rests, these things are practically indesctructible - I still have mine from 4th grade. If money is tight, check around at garage sales and freecycle.com. Odds are you will find a good used music stand at a very reasonable price.

 

WHAT ELSE WILL I NEED FOR MY INSTRUMENT?
You will need a rag/cloth to wipe down your instrument. A very thin cloth is best. One of my father's t-shirts wore out too much so I cut it up and have been using that as my wiping cloth for about 15 years now. You do not have to buy a cloth, just be sure it is a thin cloth so it is not too bulky inside the case.  I would avoid a "kit" as most of the items are either included with the rental, or not allowed at this time, such as 'polish.'  Please, no liquids near your instrument.  

  

WHAT ARE INTENSIVE WEEKS?

"Intensive Weeks"  are 4 lessons and one 8am rehearsal over a two week period.  It will help your child get a really good foundation with the basics of setting up to play, and general care of the instrument.  When "Intentive Weeks" are complete, a regular lesson schedule will commence.

 

WHAT IS THE REGULAR SCHEDULE?

The Regular Schedule will only begin AFTER Intensive Weeks is completed.  Regular Schedule consists of:

1 in-school lesson per week and

1 BEFORE-school (8am) rehearsal per week. 

 

When Intensive Weeks are completed, I will evaluate each student's progress and place them in a lesson group with similar abilities.  Lunch periods will have some affect on scheduling, but for the most part, it is based on ability.

 

WHAT DO I DO ABOUT MY INSTRUMENT?

 

 -- If it was delivered to school during the summer: 

      You will receive it at the first lesson.

 

-- If you don't have one yet: 

      Rent one A.S.A.P.  TheMusicShop.com and TheMusicDen.com are good places to start your search.

 

 -- If I have an instrument at home: 

       Have it checked my a music store, put a nametag on it, and bring it to school.

 

 -- If I have an instrument, but I take private lessons: 

      Put a nametag on it, bring it to school and TELL ME you take private lessons so I can get it back to you the same day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Dear Parent/Guardians, 10/2018

 

 

 

Students have been sorted into their Regular Lesson Groups.  Please remember your child will have one IN-school lesson every week and one 8:00am rehearsal every week. 

 

 

 

Attached please find:

 

 

 

1.  Attachment:  A list with the names of which student is in each lesson group.

 

          -- Find your child's homeroom name

 

          -- Find your child's first name

 

          -- The IN-school group name will be listed, and the 8am day.

 

                  -- Lesson groups are a letter and number

 

                       -- LETTER = day of the week

 

                       -- NUMBER = which group they are in on that day

 

 

 

2.  Attachment:  IN-school schedule

 

          -- Your child's class time will rotate through the periods each week.

 

          -- The day/order may change occasionally due to assemblies, concerts, etc.

 

           -- If there is a delayed opening, there WILL be IN-school lessons.

 

 

 

3.  Attachment:  8am Calendar

 

           -- Your child will typically meet the same morning at 8am, however, there are some exceptions:

 

                  1.  If school is closed, it will be moved to another day. (Thanksgiving, etc)

 

                  2.  As we approach the concert, I will begin to combine groups so they can get used to hearing one another.

 

                  3.  Dress Rehearsals:  Twice a week leading up to the concert.

 

 

 

 

 

Snow Day - rehearsal will be cancelled.

 

                  3.  Delayed Opening - rehearsal will be cancelled.

General Homework 

(There may be some slight variations from lesson group to lesson group.)   

Review  
1.  Boring Exercise (To fix and improve your bowhold.)

 -- (Frog, freeze, Tip, freeze - stop and check your bowhold) 

 -- You may practice this on any string.
 -- Be sure to use the mark on your bow as the "frog" and only play with the upper half of the bow.
 -- Be sure you are using your new bowhold on the frog.

2.  D Major Scale and Arpeggio (1x each note)

3.  Pg. 28:  #104, 105, 106  (Dotted half notes. Count: 1&2&3&)

4.  Pg. 29:  #109, 110, 111, 112 (Slurs:  both note either go down-down, or up-up, very smoothly)

5.  Pg. 26:  G String Notes (for Basses, g on the E string, and A string notes)

5.  Concert Music

 -- Cuckoo Clock (whole piece:  pizz., count your rests out loud)

 -- Theme by Beethoven (whole piece, mind the long and shorts where you have them)

 -- No-Name:  (65-end, start to polish and get comfortable with this.  If you still struggle with the 8th notes, remember you can just play the 1st note in every group of 4 -- for now!)

 -- Fiddle Tune.  We have begun learning this by Rote.  (No sheet music.)  There is a pizz. part, and the beginning of the arco part.  Try to review what you remember.  :) 

 

Some lesson groups began learning dotted quarter note rhythms.  If you started learning them, remember to find measures in your music with dotted quarter notes and practice those measures.  Do you remember how to count them?  (1&2)  Do you remember why?  (There are three 8th notes in each dotted quarter note.)

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs. Gaudet
Grade 5 Orchestra Director
Eisenhower Intermediate School