Strings Ensemble Information

Archway Strings Ensembles

Club Fee: $150/semester for 1 ensemble

$250/semester for 2 ensembles

Archway 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th Grade Scholars

*Registration for new students will only be open in August.*

Archway Strings:

Beginning string students (violin, viola, or cello).

 No experience necessary.

Wednesdays from 1:00-2:00 PM (Session 1 of clubs)

The Archway Strings club focuses on the fundamentals of learning a string instrument (violin, viola, cello, or string bass), as well as performing twice a year (winter and spring music concerts). There will be one session of strings club offered (Session 1, from 1:00-2:00) each Wednesday in the music room (108).

Required Books:

Violin - Strictly Strings, Book 1 (for violin) by James Kjelland and John O'Reilly

Viola - Strictly Strings, Book 1 (for viola) by James Kjelland and John O'Reilly

Cello - Strictly Strings, Book 1 (for cello) by James Kjelland and John O'Reilly

 

New Strings Ensemble!

Knightly Notes Ensemble:

1+ year of experience. Violin, viola, or cello students who participated in Archway Strings last year and want another year to build on fundamentals.

Wednesdays from 2:00-3:00 PM (Session 2 of clubs)

The Knightly Notes Ensemble is a new club this year that is offered for students who have participated in the Archway Strings, have at least 1+ year experience, and are hoping to continue to focus on fundamentals and build on their note-reading skills. Students will meet during Session 2, from 2:00-3:00 each Wednesday afternoon.

 

Required Books:

Violin - Strictly Strings, Book 1 (for violin) by James Kjelland and John O'Reilly

Viola - Strictly Strings, Book 1 (for viola) by James Kjelland and John O'Reilly

Cello - Strictly Strings, Book 1 (for cello) by James Kjelland and John O'Reilly

 

Strings of the Round Table:

1+ year of experience. Violin, viola, or cello students who participated in Archway Strings and/or Strings of the Round Table last year.

Most advanced ensemble; students should be comfortable reading music.

Friday mornings from 7:15-8:00 AM

The Strings of the Round Table (SOTRT) is for 4th and 5th grade students only who have at least one year of string instrument experience. SOTRT students practice every Friday morning from 7:15-8:00 in the music room. They are encouraged to participate on Wednesday afternoons in addition to Friday morning rehearsals to not only improve their own abilities but also to mentor and lead younger and newer strings students. 

Required Books:

Violin - Strictly Strings, Book 2 (for violin) by James Kjelland and John O'Reilly

Viola - Strictly Strings, Book 2 (for viola) by James Kjelland and John O'Reilly

Cello - Strictly Strings, Book 2 (for cello) by James Kjelland and John O'Reilly

 The Archway Strings (beginners), the Knightly Notes Ensemble (1 year+ experience) and Strings of the Round Table (1+ year experience and comfortable reading music) are extra-curricular music clubs that meet once a week, under the direction of Mrs. Carpenter. Students who participate in strings clubs should plan on participating the entire school year as learning an instrument takes time and dedication.

Students are expected to practice at home between rehearsals. Instruments are not provided by the school. It is strongly recommended that students do not purchase instruments, but rather rent them at first. The instrument shops will fit an instrument to your student so that it fits comfortably based on their height. 

*Archway Chandler will not assume liability for any damage that may be caused to the instrument. Please consider purchasing instrument insurance when you rent your instrument.

Local Music Stores:

Andrew’s Fine Violins

Milano’s 

Arizona Violins

Instruction for violin, viola, and cello is offered each week. It is suggested that students with limited music background start with the violin as it uses the most common clef, the treble clef, which is learned in their homeroom music class throughout the school year. 

Contact: Mrs. Carpenter – pcarpenter@archwaychandler.org