The Orchestra Members at New Horizon School for the Performing Arts are expected to practice at least 20 minutes a day 6 days a week. We practice at school on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Students are expected to remember to bring their instruments to school on those days. Instruments are not to be left on campus after school.
Jim Wyler · 2011
Practice records are to be turned in on Mondays. Practice records are to be signed by the student and parent/guardian. Part of the string grade will be calculated from the practice records that are turned in with signatures. We use the Suzuki Books for all our orchestra students. Beginning students are expected to have the Suzuki book 1. Intermediate students use both books 1, 2, & 3. Advanced students use books 1, 2, 3, and 4. We highly recommend purchasing the audio cassette(s) or CD(s) that performs the songs from the book. Parents need to involved in the note reading part of playing a violin. Mr. Wyler is happy to include parents before and after school to help them understand the note reading process for the violin. All students need rosin and a shoulder rest (large sponge w/ rubber bands will also work). This helps the young musician sound their best while holding the instrument comfortably. A handkerchief is also useful. An extra set of strings are a smart idea for the day that a string breaks. Strings break occasionally with normal use. Strings last longer if students handle their instrument carefully.