Good morning, White Station Strings parents!
Today was the first day of Strings class. The students seemed very excited about playing an instrument! I measured everyone for their first and second instrument choices. I also showed them examples of the supplies they'll need. You can also view examples of these supplies at drpalmerstrings.weebly.com/supplies . Copied below this message is today's handout for your convenience (it's on yellow paper). The student's copy has the correct instrument sizes marked, so please ask them for it today. On Tuesday, I will discuss the parts of the instrument and the school loan application. Please feel free to email questions you may have. Dr. Palmer, Strings Specialist White Station Elementary Dear Parent/Guardian: White Station Elementary August 23, 2019 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. Your 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 Fridays, from 7:30-8:15 a.m. in A-126. Please enter White Station Elementary through the before-care entrance at the cafeteria. During today’s lesson, we discussed the students’ instrument selection(s) and size(s), 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, or 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. My school e-mail address is [email protected]. 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/wsstring19” or by texting @wsstring19 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 (see picture) 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 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
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Do you want to learn how to play the
Violin? Viola? Cello? String Bass? Beginning Strings class instruction is offered at White Station 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 Tuesday and Friday mornings, from 7:30 a.m. to 8:20 a.m. Our first official class will be Friday morning, August 23rd. 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, which will take you to the site. Registration should be completed by Tuesday, August 20. What happens next? Dr. Palmer will collect the applications online, and distribute acceptance letters no later than August 22nd. During the first official class (August 23), he will make recommendations concerning the specific instrument for your child. This recommendation form will also include the size of the instrument, 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/wsstring19” or by texting @wsstring19 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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