Dear Orchestra Students,

On behalf of our music department in Simsbury I welcome you to Henry James Memorial Orchestra. As an orchestra student, you have committed yourself to music and have come a long way since 4th grade strings. The 7th and 8th grade orchestra is a team of committed string students who love performing orchestral repertoire, are motivated to practice consistently, and become well rounded young adults and skilled musicians. When a child grows up identifying themselves as a musician they have dignity and take pride in contributing to their community and culture at Henry James Memorial School.

I believe the key to becoming a good musician is motivation and encouragement. I motivate my students by providing exciting, challenging and historic repertoire. For instance, this year the students are performing “Palmetto Suite” by William Hofeldt, “Swedish Melody” by Robert Sieving, and “Hopak” by Mussorgsky. Interested in hearing this live? Go to my website and click on the recordings or go to to watch the Henry James Orchestra perform live on Simsbury Television!

The 7th and 8th grade orchestras rehearse two to three times a week. Currently the 7th grade orchestra has 47 students and the 8th Grade Orchestra 45 students, although it is large, every student matters. Students that enjoy extra challenges and performing outside of school can audition for our advanced ensemble, Select Symphony. All orchestra students get to know one another well through teamwork. Each orchestra class is by lead by example. I demonstrate daily and invite special guest artists in to perform for students. In addition, the High School Orchestra Ambassadors spend time with students after school in dress rehearsals, at concerts and special occasions during the year.

Music is fun. Every lesson, no matter how challenging, will be fun and energetic. Students listen to music, create music, and perform music together. Music is a part of our everyday culture and history and should be enjoyed. The pace of the lesson is usually non-stop playing and adjusting. Students learn that challenges are exciting and the more they play, the easier music becomes. Students also learn that mistakes are okay. We evaluate our mistakes and learn how to fix them. Every skill is explained a different way until understood.

I look forward to meeting you and your family and I know you will continue to enjoy orchestra just as you have in your elementary string program. Orchestra will feel like your sanctuary in the new, larger school. Orchestra is a place for music making, teamwork and friendship through music.

Sincerely your orchestra director,

Mrs. JoAnna Ferrari-Beernaert

Orchestra Director

(email)

Henry James Memorial School and Tootin’ Hills Elementary School

How to SUCCEED in ORCHESTRA:

CONSISTENT PRACTICING:

Practicing should be called “playing.” I believe when students are young they often think of the word practicing with a negative context. Instead, when we call it playing, it feels more positive. Students should be encouraged to play each day. It is important that students play at least 3 times a week to keep up with their orchestra standards. With the proper motivation, most students will practice at least three times a week. Students are required to practice at least three times a week outside of school or after school. Students can always practice during homeroom as well, as long as their homeroom teacher approves.

PROMPT AND PREPARED:

Students need to come to class on time and be prepared with their instrument and music. They will have orchestra 3 times every cycle (A-F day) for forty-six minutes. I will have reminders of lessons and rehearsals outside the class room on the orchestra info wall. Students need to have consistent attendance with their sectional group lesson.

PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR:

Wouldn’t it be fun to be a professional musician? In class you are treated like one if you behave like one. Posture, Technique, Effort, and Musicality are skills I expect to see each day. No matter how well you play, you can act like a professional. There are many times when we laugh and have fun, but when we work hard we are PRO!

CONCERTS and REHEARSALS:

Our concert calendar and events are distributed the very first day of class. Read over the dates of the concert and place them into your family calendar. The concert dates and rehearsals are also up on the district’s website as well as my faculty page website. Concerts and dress rehearsals are mandatory, as they are the summative assessment of the year’s growth. To be in a performing ensemble means to perform; students must attend all concerts and rehearsals.

ASK FOR EXTRA HELP:

Extra help is available after school by appointment and during period 5 on E days and period 7/8 on C Day. Students that seek extra help will earn bonus points to their quarter grade.

What you will need:

Concert Dress:“Keepin’ it Classy.” (Our Orchestra Motto!)

-A white collared shirt. Boys must wear long sleeve. Girls can wear a solid white dress shirt, long sleeve in winter and short sleeve in spring. No ties are required.

-Black Dress Bottom: Boys must wear black dress pants, Girls may wear dressy skirts that hit below the knee or dressy gaucho pants.

-Dress Shoes: Sneakers and Flip flops are not permitted in concerts. Black dress shoes should be purchased for concerts, boys should make sure they have matching black dress socks.

- School Concerts we do not have to wear black and white, but instead a crisp white collared shirt, blue jeans, and any style shoe.

Materials Needed for Class:

(PUT YOUR NAME ON EVERYTHING!)

Shoulder Rests for Violins and Violas:Shoulder rests are vital for posture and left hand dexterity; the purple sponges are no longer efficient at the 7th grade level. I recommend purchasing a KUN shoulder rest or a WOLF Forte Secundo shoulder rest. I personally love the WOLF shoulder rest and cannot perform without one. If you buy a 4/4 full size, they can adjust smaller and grow with your child until they reach full size. Make sure you put your name on the shoulder rest. Martocchio’s (Music Shop in Town) has these products as well as Sharmusic.com and Southwest Strings.com. (If you go to the sharmusic.com website I also recommend the “Perfect Shoulder Rest” PSR44- $6.25 ) You can also find this shoulder rest at Martocchio’s Music Store in town, Rt. 10.

Strings:extra strings can be expensive; I prefer to buy them as a whole pack online. Go to Sharmusic.com or Southweststrings.com and you can purchase them for a low price as a set. D’Addario Heliocore are a good brand for intermediate players, or you can upgrade to Thomastik Perlon Dominants. If you prefer to buy strings in a store, Martocchio’s has the strings I endorse. I am always available to fix strings for kids, bring the string to me and I can put it on their instrument within 10 seconds. 

Rock Stops:The orchestra room is equipped with all rock stops, cellos and basses will not need to bring these with them to school. We also have 6 cellos at HJMS, we will alternate days of use this way parents do not need to transport cellos to school 3 times a week! (Phew!)

Books:Students will need to purchase these books. There will be practice assignments within these books. There are copies at school they can use, however they need to bring their PERSONAL copy to school for their small group lessons to write in notes, fingerings and bowings.

Essential Techniques Book III, (Green Book)

Essential Elements Book II, (Blue Book)

REMEMBER: Write your name and phone number in your book. Books often get lost or mixed up.

Students are supplied with a free folder with all of their orchestra music by the school. You will not need to purchase any folders or orchestra music for class. 

FUN BOOKS: (You can purchase if you are interested, not mandated to buy.)

Fiddler’s Philharmonic by Bob Philips is a great book which I use all the time in lessons. Students love to practice this easy and challenging array of fiddle tunes.

Susan Brown’s Two Octave Scale Book; these are excellent scale books that can really help with preparing for Regional Auditions. Try Sheetmusicplus.com for ordering.