Instrumental music is a positive, life changing experience for your child. The goals of the Sarah Banks Middle School instrumental music program are to teach students how to play an instrument and give them the opportunity to play in an ensemble and enjoy music. Each member of the string orchestra will learn skills that they will use throughout their life. The skills necessary for teamwork and self-discipline are encouraged through individual achievement on their instrument.
What if I missed the testing and fitting at the elementary or changed my instrument choice?
Most fifth graders have been tested and fitted for a band or string instrument. If your child has not been fitted and would like to be in an instrumental music class, he/she may simply sign up for band or string orchestra. The instrumental music teachers will assist your child with making an instrument selection during the first week of 6th grade and assist with making sure he/she is also placed in the correct instrumental music class (band or orchestra) according to the instrument that has been chosen.
How does Orchestra fit into my schedule?
The school day is comprised of Core (math, language arts, social studies and science) and Encore class periods. The daily schedule will include the four core classes, an orchestra class, plus another encore class. Unlike past requirements, no encore class is required anymore. Classes do not need to be "checked off" before the end of middle school. The new freedom in the middle school schedule allows students the opportunity to take the class that interests them most and pass on other encore classes.
If I elect not to play an instrument in 6th grade can I join in 7th grade? Instrumental music is a spiral class. Because of the spiral of learning that occurs in band and string orchestra, students enrolled in instrumental music classes continue to enroll in this class as one of their encore selections all year/every year from 6th through 12th grade. Also, in order to continue instrumental music in high school, students must have completed 6th, 7th, and 8th instrumental music in middle school.In rare cases, a student may take private lessons to catch up and then audition into 7th grade orchestra.
6th GRADE IS THE ONLY YEAR THAT A STUDENT MAY BEGIN THE PROGRAM AS A BEGINNER!! Any student electing not to try instrumental music is closing the door on playing an instrument in school (6th-12th grade).
What instruments can I play in string orchestra? The sixth grade string orchestra program begins students on violin, viola, cello and bass. The larger rental instruments, cello and bass, can stay home and a school instrument will be provided for class instruction.
How do I obtain an instrument? The majority of parents take advantage of an instrument rental program. Rental prices are approximately $20-40 per month, depending on the instrument. The rental price is applied directly to the purchase of the instrument with no interest charged. Most rental plans include coverage for accidental damage repair.
String orchestra rental nights are scheduled at two Walled Lake middle schools as an option for reserving your instrument for fall--the instrument would then be delivered to Sarah Banks prior to the beginning of the school year.
Please see the page labeled, "Rental Information", for more information regarding string rentals.
Please be aware of off brand and inexpensive instruments!! They usually become difficult to repair and lack the durability of the instruments available at Shar or Baroque.
An instrument that plays properly is essential for success.
Can I play sports if I take string orchestra? Yes, you can do both! Many students in string orchestra participate in after school sports. String orchestra class occurs during the school day with only three after school (evening) performances during the entire school year. These fun performances are easy to schedule around and we have found that it is no problem for students to participate in both.
How much home practice is involved? Practice time varies by grade, please feel free to download a practice journal (on the practice journal tab of the website) to reference times for your grade level. Usually 6th graders will be practicing 15 minutes each day.