Students and Parents of the White Station Elementary Strings Class: Nov. 5, 2019 Our Strings students’ progress continues. We have finished pages 8 & 9, and learned Dreidel (#39) last week. Ask your child to play it for you. Today, we started Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star (#43). Soon, I’ll be teaching the parts of the bow, and the students’ home practice time will include finding the balance point. We will begin using the bow, rosin, and rag every day in the coming weeks. From now on, they will need all of their supplies – including a pencil – in class every day. I have noticed that some students are arriving late and/or missing Strings too often. It is imperative that they are in class every day to get the full benefit of instruction and rehearsal. If there are circumstances that have changed (different carpool arrangements, other before-school activities, etc.) please contact me to see if there is a solution. Thank you in advance. Here are a few important dates to mark in your calendar. - Friday, November 8 is a half-day for students. We WILL have Strings as usual. - Thursday, December 5: Holiday PERFORMANCE at school at 5:00 p.m. We will meet in the Strings room at 4:30 for tuning, instructions, and last minute instructions. - Tuesday, December 17 will be our last class of the semester. After the semester break, we will resume our classes on Tuesday, January 7, 2020. If you have any questions regarding this performance or anything else concerning the Strings program, please feel free to send a note with your child or email me at: [email protected]. Thank you for your time and your support of the strings program at White Station Elementary. Sincerely, Dr. Palmer, Strings Specialist Other Notes: 1. Now that the weather is cooling off, it is important to remember that changing temperatures affect the tuning of the instruments. Please do not leave your instrument outside for long periods of time, especially in the car overnight! 2. Our REMIND code is @wsstring19. Text it to 81010 to get REMIND updates!
0 Comments
To: Parents of the White Station Elementary String Students September 19, 2019
The Strings class at White Station Elementary is off to a good start this year. We have learned how to hold the instrument properly and take care of it. We are currently working on posture, instrument positioning, and playing the open D and A strings. We will start shaping the left hand on the instrument (which is found on page 6) next week. I’ve been assigning instruments and placing fingertapes after class during the last few weeks, so we should be ready to go. Students should be practicing a few times a week, 10-15 minutes each time. 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. It is imperative that students are able to participate in class with an instrument. If you have extenuating circumstances that are keeping your student from participating with an instrument, please contact me. Tuesday, September 24, will be Shoulder Rest Day. Cellists and Bassists will not need to come on Tuesday, September 24. 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 24. Friday 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/wsstring19” or text @wsstring19 to 81010 (or 901-881-9447). 3. My website is www.drpalmerstrings.weebly.com . Dr. Palmer, Strings Specialist White Station Elementary
September 6, 2019 Hello, White Station Strings Parents! Here is what we have covered in class so far in Strings class: 1. Parts of the instrument (page 2 in the Essential Elements book). The lesson included: which parts to touch and hold (the bouts, the neck); which parts to not operate (the tuning pegs and fine tuners); and how some of the parts are held on by tension and friction, and not by glue, screws, or tape. 2. School Instrument Loan Applications. I distibuted and have started collecting them. If the student turns in the completed application AND has their supplies, I will typically issue them a school instrument at the beginning of the NEXT class. If they did not have their supplies, I kept the form (and I will check again next class). The form can also be found on my website. I do appreciate the students and parents who rent or purchase their own instrument, too! 3. The students who have instruments are learning how to unpack their instrument safely. Violins and violas are learning how to hold the instrument in “guitar position” at a 45 degree angle. Cellos and basses are learning how to operate the end pin and position the instrument correctly. This information is on page 3. We played the open D. Those notes will be taught on page 4, and will start playing together next week. 4. Yes, even without an instrument or supplies, the students should still come to class. I teach something new during every class, and if they miss information early in the year, they will more easily fall behind later. Make sure you come and learn! Here is my contact information: 1. My e-mail address is: [email protected]. 2. REMIND at “rmd.at/wsstring19” or text @wsstring19 to 81010 (or 901-881-9447). 3. My website is www.drpalmerstrings.weebly.com. Rest assured, I will not send this amount of detail in every email, but at the beginning of the year, it’s important that we start on the same page. Sincerely, Dr. Palmer, Strings Specialist 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 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. Dear White Station Elementary Strings Parents, May 23, 2019
Congratulations to your students on an outstanding performance today at the fifth grade promotion program. Your students played very well under the “bright lights,” and in front of their teachers, peers, staff, and parents. Thank you! I also want to thank you for enrolling your child in this year’s Beginning Strings class at White Station. It takes a lot of dedication, time, and scheduling – from both student and parent – to be successful in the class, and this year was a true success. I know that the students are ready for the next level in their development as a string player and as a musician. Certificates of Completion of the First Year Strings Class were distributed during the last class on Tuesday. During the last few weeks of school, I surveyed the students about their middle school destinations. Most are heading to White Station MS, and nearly every other school they mentioned has an orchestra program where they can continue to play. I have emailed those middle school teachers a copy of my roster, so they will be on the lookout for your student in August. I also recommend that your student keep their supplies and their Essential Elements book through the summer, as you will need all of it in middle school! I hope that your student continues to enjoy playing their instrument. I do look forward to hearing (and seeing) them in middle school during the next few years, and expect to see them at events like ArtsFest, local orchestra clinics, summer music camps, and other great opportunities that they will have. I, too, was once a fifth grade beginning strings student, and it was the beginning of a very fulfilling, life-long journey of music-making. This will be the last official Strings message from me for the 2018-19 school year. I will be archiving the Remind group for your class, too. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please feel free to contact me at [email protected] or through the Remind app. I hope you have a safe and happy summer, and I look forward to seeing you at a concert! Dr. Palmer, Strings Specialist White Station Elementary School Hello, WSE Strings Parents!
We’re in the final stretch at White Station Elementary. Here is our schedule for May. 1. There will be no Strings class on Friday, May 3. I have a performance at another school that morning. (We will meet tomorrow, April 30, as scheduled). 2. Strings students will join with six other elementary schools to create a large elementary Strings ensemble on a program on May 9 in the Colonial Middle School Auditorium. We will gather between 5:15 and 5:30 for tuning and seating arrangements. A quick dress rehearsal will happen around 5:30, and the concert will start at 6:00 p.m. Concert dress is a nice school uniform (polos are preferred to t-shirts). 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. 3. If your student cannot make the May 9 concert at Colonial, please send me an email letting me know. It helps the Colonial teacher get the stage set up correctly. Thank you. 4. Our final class will be on Tuesday, May 21, and our final performance will be on the WSE fifth grade promotion program on May 23. It’s been a great year at White Station Elementary. As I’ve talked with your children about their middle school destinations, almost everyone is attending a school where orchestra is offered. Please make sure they enroll in the class next year! If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. Sincerely, Dr. Palmer, Strings Specialist Hello, WSE Strings Parents!
Welcome back from Spring Break! We are continuing to work through the material in the book (and a few handouts) and polish our skills. The fourth quarter is always a busy one, so here are some highlights, schedule changes, and other information you need to know. 1. There will be no Strings class on: Friday, April 13. I will be with several WSHS students (including two WSE alumnae!) at the All-State Orchestra Clinic in Nashville. Friday, April 19 (No school that day). 2. Strings students from all of my schools will join together to create a large elementary Strings ensemble on a program on May 9 at Colonial Middle School. This will also include the Strings students from other teachers’ programs. We will gather around 6:00 p.m. for tuning, seating arrangements, and a quick dress rehearsal, and the concert will follow. Once I meet with the Colonial Orchestra teacher and work through the details, I’ll send a notice to you with more specific information. 3. We will continue to meet during the TNReady testing window. I will conclude class early, to ensure that the students are upstairs, settled, and ready to do their best on the tests. 4. In April, I will begin surveying the students about their middle school destinations. I will send my lists to the middle school orchestra teachers, so they can better plan for 2019-20. Almost every middle school destination that WSE students will attend have an orchestra class that meets during the school day. 5. Our final performance will be on the WSE fifth grade promotion program in May. If you have any questions, please feel free ask. Sincerely, Dr. Palmer, Strings Specialist White Station Elementary Strings
www.DrPalmerStrings.weebly.com February 26, 2019 Hello, WSE Strings Parents! I would like to send everyone a huge THANK YOU for your participation in – and support of – the Spartan Strings Festival last night. The concert is an annual highlight of my school year, and the sound of 200 string musician playing the Finale together was wonderful. As I told the students this morning, this is the first time I can recall where 100% of the WSE Strings students participated in the concert. No sickness, no excuses, no “something elses.” I do appreciate your commitment to the program and your support of your children’s interests. We also talked this morning about what the students observed last night. They saw how much they can improve in one year of sixth grade orchestra. They also saw how fast, how high, and how musical the older groups could play. They asked questioned like “How do they do that without finger tapes?” and “Are those professional players?” We also started working on the next performance piece in the book, Ode to Joy (#86), and will continue to work on it on Friday. Our next public performances will be in May. On May 9, we will combine with several other SCS elementary Strings classes for a large elementary ensemble concert at Colonial Middle School. I understand that the WSE trip is that week, so some of our students will be out of town. That date, unfortunately, is firm. Our final performance of the year will be at the WSE fifth grade promotion program at the end of the school year. Again, thank you for your attendance and support at the Spartan Strings Festival! Sincerely, Dr. Palmer, Strings Specialist |
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
Categories |