Welcome
Important Dates
History of the Program
Presently we are the only Elementary/Middle school in Rutherford County that offers string orchestra. Students start string orchestra in the 4th have the opportunity to learn how to play music for the first time for most students. The Program was established in 2000 and started with just 21 students. Today we have 141 students from grades 4-8 involved in the program.
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We Are Working On The Following
September, 2023
6-8 Grade Gold Class = Prepping for Mid-State Orchestra tryouts, C,G,D, A major scales 2 octave, prepared piece provided by MTSBOA, and sight reading daily.
6th graders need to be working out of Essential Techniques for strings book 3 and working on 1st & 3rd position.
7th & 8th working out of Sound Innovation Sound Development with bowing techniques.
6-8 Grade Blue Class = Working out of Essential techniques Book 3 examples 2-40 for this month.
5th Grade= Essential Elements for strings Book 2, examples 2-30 this month
4th Grade = Essential Elements for strings Book 1 examples 2-37 this month
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Books and Grading
I use the following books for my classes for 2023- 2024:
6-8 Grade Blue Strings Class books needed:
Essential Techniques for Strings Book 3
Sound Innovation Sound Development for strings
Suzuki Book 2
6-8 Grade Gold Strings Class books needed:
Sound Innovations Sound Development for strings
Suzuki Book 2 for 6th graders
Suzuki Book 2 & 3 for 7th & 8th Graders
5th Grade Strings Class Book needed:
Essential Elements for Strings Book 2
4th Grade Strings Class book needed:
Essential Elements for Strings Book 1
Grading
Performance Test = students perform a prepared piece.
Written Test = will be take home open book test or in class open book test this school year.
Sight Reading = the student is responsible for practicing with a metronome daily. This will help them be comfortable with reading music to an exact tempo. Sight reading also involves being able to recognize key signatures and play the music with reasonable intonation and tempo, musicianship (advanced players= style, dynamics & technique).
Practice sheets are due on Tuesday or Wednesday of each week. Breaks such as Fall, Spring or Winter Break do not count and students are not expected to keep up with the practice sheet. Snow days, one day holiday are exceptions and they should still be practicing and keeping records of their minutes and what they practiced. Students absent from school due to illness are not expected to practice.
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Primary Rules of the Classroom
I) The first 5 minutes for 4th-8th is dedicated to tuning, no talking, playing or making noises during this time, especially when Mr. Swaim is tuning.
II) No Talking, playing or making noises when Mr. Swaim is teaching, and no talking/playing between musical selections
III) Have your instrument, music book, rosin and tuner, and a pencil everyday for class.
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Concert Attire
Students are required to wear solid black for all formal performances.
The breakdown is as follows:
Boys= 100% solid black pants, dark shoes (no tennis type shoes unless they are all black) solid black button up shirt and a dark tie
Girls= 100% solid black skirt, solid black blouse or top, dark shoes, solid black pants or gouchos may be worn or an all solid black dress.
**No student will be allowed to perform who is not in concert attire**
If a student is unable to afford the concert attire they need to let Mr. Swaim know 72 hours prior to any concert so he can try and find resources to provide proper attire for that student.
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Rock Band
Auditions Monday and Tuesday August 28 & 29 in Room #23.
Auditions are for grades 5-8
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If you have any questions feel free to contact me at the following email address
Important music or instrument contact information:
Yang's Violin in Brentwood (615-309-9285)
The Music Stop in Murfreesboro (615-217-6165)
*This Page is presently being updated. More information will be posted soon*