NEMPAC is pleased to announce an brand new offering (as of Winter 2017) through our partnership with St. John School, an after school strings program for children in grades K3 – K5 and for grades 1 – 3! Students will work with our wonderful Suzuki trained instructor Nicole Kootz to learn the joys of string instruments and progress in their music education. In order to participate in this program, students must provide their own instrument and must be a student at St. Johns School. Registration is open now! Read more about the two sections below!
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: April 17th
SJS Strings Program JR
Age: Grades K3 – K5
Schedule: Thurdays – 2:45 – 3:30 p.m.
Instructor: Nicole Kootz
Location: St. John School
Cost: $195 / 10 weeks
First Class: April 27th, 2017
Students for this beginning strings class will start out with a box violin as they learn to properly handle and care for a string instrument. We will learn rest position, guitar position, playing position, proper posture, and develop beautiful bow holds, all without the worry of possibly dropping and damaging rental instruments. We will play a variety of educational games to develop our violin skills as well as basic musical concepts, such as if the pitch is higher or lower, and marching along with different songs to learn all about the beat. There may also be fun stories about different composers along the way!
Once everyone in class can demonstrate proper handling of their box violin, we will use the last few classes of the session to transfer to a violin. We will learn string names, the start of using our fingers to find notes, and play our first E string Concerto.
Expectation for first class: That everyone has a box violin, which can either be constructed with a macaroni box and paint stirrer, or can be purchased here: http://www.sharmusic.com/Accessories/Teaching-Aids/Cherub-Box-Violin-and-Bow.axd#sthash.F6iEvzm4.dpbs. Instructions can be provided to parents who wish to make their own. A sponge shoulder rest, or regular shoulder rest is highly recommended! Students will have a hard time keeping the instrument on their shoulder without one.
SJS Strings Program
Age: Grades 1 – 3
Schedule: Thursdays – 3:45 – 4:30 p.m.
Instructor: Nicole Kootz
Location: St. John School
Cost: $195 / 10 weeks
First Class: April 27th, 2017
Violins and Violas are welcome in this class.
Students will spend 10 weeks developing a wide variety of skills. With their instrument they will learn rest position, guitar position, playing position, develop their bow hold, and learn string names. Our book will help us begin music reading, or provide practice for students who already can read music, ear training, and help us get our fingers moving as we work our way through different pieces. A variety of activities will help support our music reading, and playing as we progress through the class. This class will also incorporate music from Suzuki books, but purchase of these books are not required as the pieces will be taught by ear to help develop listening skills and memory.
Expectation for first class: That everyone has an instrument, violin or viola. A sponge shoulder rest, or regular shoulder rest is highly recommended! Students will have a hard time keeping the instrument on their shoulder without one.
Book Required: Essential Elements for Strings Violin Book 1 or Viola Book 1
Instrument Rental Recommendation: Johnson String Instruments in Newton, MA. For further assistance and recommendations visit our instrument rental worksheet – Instrument Rental Worksheet
