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At Glacial Drumlin school there are many and varied experiences available for student string players. Students will have begun string instrument instruction in the 4th grade at Cottage Grove or Winnequah schools. However, if a middle school student is new to the district, or chose not to begin strings in the 4th grade, it is still possible to join the middle school orchestras at any level by putting in extra effort to get caught up.
In the 5th grade at GDS students have two classes a week with Mr. Jon Farris, and one combined orchestra class. There are enough 5th grade string students that Mr. Farris has two large 5th grade orchestras.
In the 6th, 7th and 8th grade, students will have 2 - 3 orchestra classes a week, and one small group session, called a GIG (guided instruction group). Gigs give students the opportunity to work on technique and repertoire with students who play the same instrument and are at a similar level of playing. Gigs also offer the opportunity for students to work in ensembles, especially in preparation for the Solo/Ensemble Festival in March. There are two 6th and 7th grade orchestras and one 8th grade orchestra at GDS. Mr. Carl Davick is the conductor of the 8th grade orchestra, as well as the orchestras at MGHS. Ms. McCarty is the teacher and conductor for the 6th and 7th grade orchestras.
What is an orchestra?
An orchestra is a group of musicians playing different musical instruments under the direction of a conductor. It can be large or small, depending on the pieces that are performed.
Symphony orchestras are comprised of instruments from four different families: strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion.
String orchestras are made up of the four members of the string section: violin, viola, cello, double bass.
All string instruments of the orchestra have four strings. The vibration of the strings produces the sound. A string player either draws a bow made of horsehair across the strings, or plucks the strings with his or her fingers to produce sound. The larger the instrument, the lower the sound – violins make the highest sounds and double basses the lowest. Every string instrument is constructed of pieces of wood carefully glued together and covered with several coats of varnish – no nails or screws are ever used.
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