Orchestra
5th Grade
Dear Orchestra Parents and Students,
Welcome to the Skokie School String program. I am thriiled to be welcoming your students to the elementary orchestra! As always, please feel free to contact me via e-mail at sherylnussbaum@winnetka36.org. We are looking forward to a fun and rewarding musical experience for everyone!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Sheryl Nussbaum
Required Materials
- Instrument (see below)
- Pencil
- Folder
- Essential Elements 2000 Book 1 for your instrument
Instrument Rentals
If you do not have an instrument, please contact me as soon as possible. I can suggest a number of reputable retailers in the area. It is not necessary to purchase an instrument at this time.
Group Lessons
- Group lessons begin during the first few weeks of school
- You will receive a schedule to keep at home
- Students and classroom teachers will have a copy of the schedule at school
- All 5th grade string students receive one 30-minute small group lesson per week. They meet on a rotational schedule onWednesdays (violins and violas) and Fridays (cello, bass, piano).
- Lessons are held in the Orchestra Room 133, which is located opposite the Resource Center.
A group lesson schedule is published each year. Students are responsible for remembering his/her own lesson times. Please help them copy their group time into their assignment notebooks so they know when the lesson will be each week.
Orchestra Rehearsals
- We meet Mondays after school - 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- All rehearsals for 5th grade orchestra members will take place in the Orchestra Room 133, located opposite the Resource Center
TO PERFORM AT A HIGH LEVEL WE NEED ALL OF YOU PRESENT - ALL OF THE TIME!
Rehearsal time is very important to the success of the orchestra. We need to make full use of every minute.
No one should be absent from orchestra or a lesson unless he/she is absent from school.
Orchestra Concerts
- Premier Concert - January - Skokie Auditorium
- IGSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest - March - All Day at TBA Location
- Spring Concert - May - Washburne Gyms
Concert Dress
The following is considered the uniform for all concerts:
- White Shirt/Blouse
- Black Pants/Skirt
- Black Socks & Black Dress Shoes (NO GYM SHOES)
- Long Necktie
When we all look our best, it reflects positively in our performance.
Private Lessons and Summer Camps
The district does not require private lessons. However, it is strongly recommended that all students explore the option. They provide a student with invaluable one-to-one instruction time. Many of our students take advantage of the benefits of private lessons. Lessons provide a wonderful opportunity to increase technique, progress, and a love and appreciation for music. In addition, lessons also improve the performance level of the entire ensemble. The district has a number of accomplished instructors available to all string players.
Summer camps also provide an excellent opportunity for young musicians to develop their talents. They get the chance to work with accomplished musicians and teachers from throughout the country. There are many excellent camps right here in the Midwest. Scholarships are often available. Please see me in the spring for more information.
6th Grade
Dear Orchestra Parents and Students,
Welcome to the Skokie School Concert Orchestra program!
I am thrilled to be working with the Skokie Concert Orchestra! Please give special attention to the calendar in the following pages. It is very important that you are aware of all the events that are taking place and mark them in your calendar to avoid conflicts. It goes without saying that every child is vital to the success of our orchestras. So, please let me know as soon as possible if there are any immediate concerns. I am looking forward to a wonderful year!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Sheryl Nussbaum
Required Materials
- Instrument (cellos/basses see below)
- Rosin
- Cleaning Cloth
- Pencil
- Music Folder
Orchestra Rehearsals
- All rehearsals for 6th grade orchestra members will take place in the orchestra room 133, located across the corridor from the Skokie Resource Center.
- 6th Grade Orchestra rehearses every day during first period.
TO PERFORM AT A HIGH LEVEL WE NEED ALL OF YOU PRESENT - ALL OF THE TIME!
Rehearsal time is very important to the success of the orchestra. We need to make full use of every minute.
No one should be absent from orchestra or a lesson unless he/she is absent from school.
Calendar / Concert Dates
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS WITH PERFORMANCE DATES. OUR SUCCESS DEPENDS ON HAVING EVERYONE AT EVERY PERFORMANCE.
- Band/Orchestra Parent Info. Night - September
- IMEA Honors Orchestra Auditions - September
- IMEA Band & Orchestra Festival - October
- 6th-8th Gr. Holiday Concert - December
- Skokie School Concert Orchestra Holiday Assembly (6th gr. only) - December
- IGSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest - February
- 5th-8th Gr. Orchestra Spring Concert - May
- Awards Breakfast 6th-8th grade Strings and Their Parents - June
Concert Dress
The following is considered the uniform for all concerts:
- White Shirt/Blouse
- Black Pants/Skirt
- Black Socks & Black Dress Shoes (NO GYM SHOES)
- Long Necktie (Boys)
When we all look our best, it reflects positively in our performance.
IMEA District Orchestra
All 6th-8th Grade Orchestra students are eligible to audition for the Illinois Music Educators Association All-District Orchestra. This is an orchestra made up of outstanding middle school musicians from throughout the area.
AUDITIONS: September
FESTIVAL: October
Students who are interested in auditioning should see Ms. Schroer immediately. Don’t miss out on a great opportunity!
Private Lessons and Summer Camps
The district does not require private lessons. However, it is strongly recommended that all students explore the option. They provide a student with invaluable one-to-one instruction time that unfortunately the program does not allow time for. Many of our students take advantage of the benefits of private lessons. Lessons provide a wonderful opportunity to increase technique, progress, and a love and appreciation for music. In addition, lessons also improve the performance level of the entire ensemble. The district has a number of accomplished instructors available to all string players.
Summer camps also provide an excellent opportunity for young musicians to develop their talents. They get the chance to work with accomplished musicians and teachers from throughout the country. There are many excellent camps right here in the Midwest. Scholarships are often available. Please see me in the spring for more information.
7th and 8th Grade
Dear Orchestra Parents and Students,
Welcome to the Washburne School Orchestra 7-8 program.
I am thrilled to be working with the orchestra this year! Please give special attention to the calendar in the following pages. It is very important that you are aware of all the events that are taking place and mark them in your calendar to avoid conflicts. Every child is vital to the success of our orchestras, so please let me know as soon as possible if there are any immediate scheduling concerns. I am looking forward to a fabulous year of wonderful music making!!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Sheryl Nussbaum
7th/8th Grade Required Materials
Sectionals
Rehearsals
TO PERFORM AT A HIGH LEVEL WE NEED ALL OF YOU PRESENT - ALL OF THE TIME!
Rehearsal time is very important to the success of the orchestra. We need to make full use of every minute.
No one should be absent from orchestra or a lesson unless he/she is absent from school.
Concert Dates
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS WITH THESE DATES. OUR SUCCESS DEPENDS ON HAVING EVERYONE AT EVERY PERFORMANCE.
Concert Dress
The following is considered the uniform for all concerts:
When we all look our best, it reflects positively in our performance. When you look good, you sound good!
IMEA District Orchestra
All 6th-8th Grade Orchestra students are eligible to audition for the Illinois Music Educators Association All-District Orchestra. This is an orchestra made up of outstanding middle school musicians from throughout the area.
AUDITIONS: September
FESTIVAL: October
Students who are interested in auditioning should see Mrs. Schroer immediately. Don’t miss out on a great opportunity!
Private Lessons and Summer Camps
The district does not require private lessons. However, it is strongly recommended that all students explore the option. They provide a student with invaluable one-to-one instruction time that unfortunately the program does not allow time for. Many of our students take advantage of the benefits of private lessons. Lessons provide a wonderful opportunity to increase technique, progress, and a love and appreciation for music. In addition, lessons also improve the performance level of the entire ensemble. The district has a number of accomplished instructors available to all string players.
Summer camps also provide an excellent opportunity for young musicians to develop their talents. They get the chance to work with accomplished musicians and teachers from throughout the country. There are many excellent camps right here in the Midwest. Scholarships are often available. Please see me in the spring for more information.
- Instrument (cellos/basses see below)
- Rosin
- Cleaning Cloth
- Pencil
- Music Folder
- You will receive a Sectionals Schedule to keep at home. I will also provide a copy to parents via email.
- Students and classroom teachers will have a copy of the schedule at school.
- 7th/8th grade string players will continue to receive small group lessons called sectionals. Sectionals take place every Tuesday on a rotating basis (30 minutes in small groups). Consideration is given to accommodate for tests, quizzes and important material covered in class.
- Sectionals will take place in the band/orchestra rehearsal room (sectional room).
- We meet every Monday 7:30 - 8:20 a.m. and Tuesday/Thursday during Flex, 2:55 - 3:30 p.m.
- All rehearsals will take place in the orchestra room.
- Weekly Sectionals - See above
- Back to School Night - September - Orchestra Room
- IMEA Honors Orchestra Auditions - September (see below)
- IMEA Band & Orchestra Festival - October
- New Trier Orchestra Festival - 8th graders only - November - New Trier East Campus
- 6th-8th Gr. Holiday Concert - December - Skokie Theater
- IGSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest - Saturday in February - All Day at TBA Location
- 5th-8th Gr. Orchestra Spring Concert - May - Washburne Little Theater
- Jazz Ensemble/String Orchestra Tour - May - All Day (during school)
- Awards Breakfast 6th-8th grade Strings and Their Parents - June
- Graduation Ceremony for 7th/8th Grade Strings - June - Skokie Auditorium
- White Shirt/Blouse
- Black Pants/Skirt
- Black Socks & Black Dress Shoes (NO GYM SHOES OF ANY KIND!!!)
- Long Necktie