September 11, 2018 To: Parents of the Grahamwood Elementary String Students The Strings class at Grahamwood is off to a good start this year. We are currently working on holding the instrument properly and taking care of the instrument. We have just started shaping the left hand on the instrument, which is found on page 6. Students should be practicing a few times a week, 10-15 minutes each time. Please take the time to watch the introductary videos available in the Essential Elements downloads, and experiment with the software on your computer. At this point in the school year, all strings students need to have an instrument and all of their supplies to fully participate in class. Those who requested a school instrument received the loan application form several weeks ago, and needed to obtain all of the necessary supplies before a school instrument would 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 a few instruments available for loan from the school. Of course, you may still rent or buy an instrument from one of the local music stores. Thursday, September 20, will be Shoulder Rest Day. Cellists and Bassists will not need to come on Thursday, September 20. All violinists and violists MUST have their shoulder rest that day. The students will learn how to attach, adjust, and care for their shoulder rest. This only affects September 20. Monday is a regular Strings day for everyone. 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: [email protected]. 2. REMIND at “rmd.at/gwstring18” or text @gwstring18 to 81010 (or 901-881-9447). 3. My website is www.drpalmerstrings.weebly.com .
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Dear Parent/Guardian: Grahamwood Elementary
August 20, 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 Mondays and Thursdays, beginning at 7:30 a.m. Students should enter the school at the before-care entrance near the cafeteria (NOT the main office entrance) and come to the music classrooms in the basement. 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: [email protected]. I use REMIND.com to send occasional updates and reminders (including last-minute class cancellations), and you can contact me through this service. If you have not yet done so, please enroll in REMIND at “rmd.at/gwstring18” or by texting @gwstring18 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 Strings
Do you want to learn how to play the Violin? Viola? Cello? String Bass? Beginning Strings class instruction is offered at Grahamwood Elementary 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 Monday and Thursday mornings, from 7:30 a.m. to 8:20 a.m. Our first official class will be Monday morning, August 20th. 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 15. What happens next? Dr. Palmer will collect the applications online, and distribute acceptance letters by August 17. During the first official class (August 20), he will make recommendations concerning the specific instrument for your child. This recommedation 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/gwstring18” or by texting @gwstring18 to 81010 or 901-881-9447. |
AuthorDr. Andrew Palmer teaches Fifth Grade Beginning Strings at four Elementary Schools, directs the Honors Orchestras at White Station High School, and travels throughout the school district as a Double Bass Specialist. Archives
November 2019
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