April 9, 2019
Hello, Belle Forest Strings Parents!
 
            I’ve enjoyed working with your student this year as they learn how to play the violin.  Here are a few quick highlights to the end of the year and some changes to our schedule.
 
1. There will be no Strings class on Thursday, April 11 (All-State Orchestra with my high school students).
 
2. I have been informed that, due to the TN Ready Testing Schedule, Strings will not meet again until May 7.  If this changes, and we can meet earlier in May, I will let you know.  It is important that students continue to practice at home.  They have marked all the spring performance music in their Essential Elements book.
 
3. We will join six other elementary schools to create a large elementary Strings ensemble on a program on May 9 at Colonial Middle School. We will gather from 5:15-5:30 p.m.  We will have a brief dress rehearsal at 5:30, and the concert will begin at 6:00 p.m. The Colonial Orchestra will also be performing, and we will join them to close the concert with French Folk Song (#106) and the Stairwell Blues.
 
4. I hope that we will be performing at Belle Forest as part of the end-of-the-year programs.  I will let you know more about that performance when we meet in May.
 
If you have any questions, please feel free email me at Palmerae@scsk12.org  .
                       
Sincerely,
 
Dr. Palmer, Strings Specialist

To: Parents of the Belle Forest String Students:                          September 30, 2018

            The Strings class at Belle Forest is off to a good start this year.  The students have learned how to hold the instrument properly and take care of it.  They have learned the open D and A strings, and have started shaping the left hand on the instrument, which is found on page 6 and 7 in our method book.  Students should be practicing a few times a week, 10-15 minutes each time.  This will reinforce the information taught in each lesson.  Please take the time to watch the introductary videos available in the Essential Elements downloads, and experiment with the software on your computer.
 
            Since the students are coming from multiple classrooms for Strings, I will be at the upstairs elevator to gather the students at 10:15 on Tuesdays and Thursdays for Strings.  I will not be going room to room to pull them out one at a time.  Please make sure your student remembers to meet me with their instrument and supplies at the elevator.
 
            When we come back from Fall Break, all strings students must have an instrument and all of their supplies to participate in class.  Those who requested a school instrument received the loan application form several weeks ago (it’s also available on the website).  They also need to obtain all of the necessary supplies before a school instrument can be issued.  The supplies include: Essential Elements- Book I, rosin, a cleaning rag, a pencil, and a shoulder rest (violin & viola) or rock stop (cello & bass).  There are still instruments available for loan from the school.  Of course, you may still rent or buy an instrument from one of the local music stores (listed below).
 
            I will be sending updates throughout the year concerning concerts and programs, schedule updates, and other necessary information.  Last minute changes and reminders will be sent through REMIND.  Please sign up for this service!  Thank you for your support of the strings program at your school. 
 
Here is my contact information:
                        1. My e-mail address is: palmerae@scsk12.org.
                        2. REMIND at “rmd.at/bfstring18” or text @bfstring18 to 81010
                                    (or 901-881-9447).
                        3. My website is www.drpalmerstrings.weebly.com .
Dr. Palmer, Strings Specialist
 
MUSIC STORES THAT CARRY STRING INSTRUMENTS & SUPPLIES
Amro Music                        2918 Poplar                                          323-8888
 Bartlett Music Academy    7505 Highway 64 Suite 107          213-4262
Circle Music Center        5124 Poplar Ave.                                  937-8484
Lane Music                           9309 Poplar, Germantown               755-5025
 Baroque Violin Shop         baroqueviolinshop.com                  866-846-5469
 Connolly Music                  connollymusic.com                         800-644-5268
Southwest Strings              swstrings.com                                       800-723-6900
Shar Music                           sharmusic.com                                          800-248-SHAR
Williams Fine Violins       Williamsfineviolins.com                           888-791-4208

           
Dear Parent/Guardian:                                       Belle Forest Elementary                   September 11, 2018
 
            Welcome!  You and your child have expressed an interest in beginning instruction in the Strings Music Education Program.  I hope that it will be an exciting experience for your child, both now and in the years to come.
            I ask that you agree and commit to participation for the entire school year.  There will be challenges that are not automatically solved, times of frustration, and "bumps" in the road.  However, these are only minor difficulties when compared to the excitement of the first performance, the sound of applause, and the satisfaction of a job well done.         
            We all have responsibilities in helping your child succeed in this class.  I accept the responsibility for classroom instruction, which will guide the students in both playing the instrument and in reading music.  The student's responsibilities include practicing at home and having all of their supplies in class.  The parents’ responsibilities include supporting your child in home practice, properly caring for the instrument, and attending your child's concerts and programs. 
            We will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays. During the first few lessons, we will discuss instrument selection(s) and size(s), the loan procedure for school instruments, and the parts of the instrument.
Instruments may be rented from several music stores in Memphis.  The rental fees and agreements vary from store to store, and school policy prohibits me from any specific recommendations.  These stores will also carry the instruction books and supplies.  I strongly recommend that you do not purchase an instrument from a pawn shop, thrift store, super store, or online sites that are not Strings merchants.  The “bargain” instrument you may find will certainly contain inferior parts/strings/bows that will require attention and repairs.  If it is necessary to use a school instrument, you must have all supplies for that instrument before one will be issued.
              If you need assistance, please feel free to contact me through your school office. My e-mail address is: palmerae@scsk12.org.  I use REMIND.com to send occasional updates and reminders, and you can contact me through this service.  If you have not yet done so, please enroll in REMIND at “rmd.at/bfstring18” or by texting @bfstring18 to 81010 or 901-881-9447. My website is www.Drpalmerstrings.weebly.com.   I’m looking forward to an exciting year of music-making with our strings class.
 
Sincerely,
Dr. Palmer, Strings Specialist
 
 
 
This is a check list for your child's string supplies.  Please obtain those supplies which are marked with a check.  A “1” indicates the first instrument recommendation, and a “2” indicates the second recommendation.
            Every student will need the checked items to participate in class.  The instruments are identified as my first and second recommendations.  The correct size of the instrument is circled.  You do not need to get supplies for both instruments.  If you are planning to use a school instrument, you must have supplies for one instrument before a school instrument can be issued.  If the available school instrument is your second choice, every effort will be made to make a fair “swap” of supplies in class (i.e., trade your violin book with a viola book).
 
_____ Essential Elements for Strings, Book I for your instrument. 
_____ Rosin for your instrument
_____ Soft Cloth for Cleaning
_____ Pencil

_____Violin              Size:   1/2   3/4   4/4 (full)
 _____Viola   Size:  12”    13”   14”    15” 
 _____ Shoulder Rest
                        (for violins & violas only)
 
_____ Cello               Size:   1/2      3/4     4/4 (full)
 _____ Bass     Size:   1/2      3/4     4/4 (full)
 _____ Rock Stop/ Endpin Holder (for cellos & basses only)
 
MUSIC STORES THAT CARRY STRING INSTRUMENTS & SUPPLIES
           
              Amro Music                          2918 Poplar                                                  323-8888
             Bartlett Music Academy    7505 Highway 64 Suite 107                                   213-4262
             Circle Music Center                       5124 Poplar Ave.                                         937-8484
             Lane Music                           9309 Poplar, Germantown                                    755-5025
             Saint Fishy’s                                    2695 N. Germantown Road, #107             383-6500
            
             Baroque Violin Shop         baroqueviolinshop.com                            866-846-5469
             Connolly Music                  connollymusic.com                                     800-644-5268
             Southwest Strings              swstrings.com                                              800-723-6900
             Shar Music                           sharmusic.com                                          800-248-SHAR
             Williams Fine Violins       Williamsfineviolins.com                           888-791-4208

Do you want to learn how to play the

Violin?         Viola?           Cello?
 
            Beginning Strings class instruction is offered at Belle Forest Community School as part of the Shelby County Schools curriculum for fifth grade students.  This class will prepare your child for the Strings and Orchestra classes which are offered at the middle and high school levels in many of the Shelby County Schools.
 
When is it taught?
            Class will meet twice each week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays mornings, during the school day.  Our first official class will be Tuesday, September 4.
 
What does it cost?
            There are no instruction fees or lesson payments.  You will need to purchase–at a local music store–your own method book and supplies, which will cost about $25.  Renting an instrument from one of the local music stores will cost $100-$150 for the year.  The school has a limited number of instruments for loan, based on need.  A student must have their supplies to be eligible for a school instrument.
 
So how do I enroll?
            Complete the online application at https://drpalmerstrings.weebly.com/  You can also scan the QR code at the bottom of the page. Registration should be completed by Wednesday, August 29.
 
What happens next?
            Dr. Palmer will collect the applications online, and distribute acceptance letters by August 31.  During the first official class (September 4), he will make recommendations concerning the specific instrument for your child.  This recommendation form will also include a list of necessary supplies, a list of local music stores, and other important information.

I use REMIND.com to send occasional updates and reminders, and you can contact me through this service.  Please enroll in REMIND at “rmd.at/bfstring18” or by texting @bfstring18 to 81010 or 901-881-9447.