2025-2026 MVSO Youth Strings Registration

Beginning String Class 1

Caroline Slocum, instructor

CLASS TIME: Saturdays, 11:30-12:20pm COST: $100/semester

Students in grades 2-5 can begin their study of violin, viola, cello or bass from the very beginning. Students will begin by exploring each of the 4 instruments before making their choice.  Families will be guided through renting instruments, home practice and instrument care.  Materials will be provided but families must rent their own instrument.  

Beginning String Class 2

Caroline Slocum, instructor

CLASS TIME: Saturdays, 12:30-1:20pm COST: $100/semester

This is an extension of our Beginning String Class 1. Offered to students in grades 2-5 who have learned the basics of instrument hold and posture, basic bow hold and use, and left hand finger placement. These students are ready to begin learning to read notation while continuing to develop their beginner skills on violin, viola, cello, and bass. Materials will be provided but families must rent their own instrument.

Youth Strings: Da Capo

Lois Clond, Director

CLASS TIME: Saturdays, 11:30am-12:30pm COST: $100/semester

Da Capo is Italian for ‘from the beginning.' Our beginning orchestra ensemble is open to all beginning string players as a first or early ensemble experience. Students should already know how to play their instrument and have good command of the skills listed in the requirements. Repertoire will introduce students to the sounds of playing with melody and harmony and how to play within your instrument section.

REQUIREMENTS

Approx. ages:  7-11

Approx 1-2 years playing experience

Level .5-1.5 repertoire

KEYS: G, D, C major, 1 - 2  octaves

DYNAMICS: Loud and soft dynamics

RHYTHM: eighths, quarters, halves, dotted half and whole notes

BOWING:  able to follow basic downbow and upbow marks. Slurs.

BOOK EQUIVALENTS: 

Suzuki Book 1-2

Essential Elements or School Orchestra Book 1-2

Youth Strings: Sinfonia

Jamie Whitmore, Director

CLASS TIME: Saturdays, 12:15-1:45pm COST: $125/semester

*Eligible for Chamber Music and Theory/Composition Class

Youth Strings: Sinfonia is for the developing string player ages 8-13. This orchestra can be an exciting first orchestra experience for those students who've studied privately for a few years, or an opportunity for developing students to challenge their playing. Students are expected to practice the basics of notes, rhythms and bowings independently. Rehearsals will focus on learning the basic skills of playing as an ensemble like learning how to match style, sound and bowings, and blend and balance as a group.

REQUIREMENTS

While we welcome a wide range of skills and ages, the repertoire chosen and ensemble direction will best suite the following type of player:

Approx. ages:  8-13

Approx. 2-4 years playing experience

Repertoire Grade:  2-3 

KEYS: 2 octave major scales in the keys of D, A, G, C, F, Bb

BOWING: Slurs, staccato, legato, hooked bowing, spiccato

RHYTHM/METER: quarters, halves, dotted half and whole notes, eighth notes, sixteenth notes, simple dotted rhythms, some syncopation, triplets

METERS: 2/4, 3/4 , 4/4, 6/8

POSITIONS: 

Violin 1: 1-3

VIolin 2 and Viola: 1 (optional 3rd position)

Cello: 1-4

Bass: 1-3

DYNAMICS: f, mf, mp, p and crescendo and decrescendo

BOOK EQUIVALENTS: 

Suzuki Book 2.5-4

Essential Elements or School Orchestra Book 2-3

Youth Strings: Coda

Kristen Hruby, Director

CLASS TIME: Saturdays, 3:30-5:30pm COST: $175/semester

*Eligible for Chamber Music and Theory/Composition Class

This ensemble is for the serious string player in grades 6-12 with a strong interest in learning the art of ensemble playing and improving their performance skills. More demanding repertoire is offered to challenge students who have already mastered basic string playing skills and wish to expand their playing abilities

In addition to the skills listed, students should have the ability to prepare their parts independently and to work in a fast paced rehearsal for two hours. 

REQUIREMENTS

While we welcome a wide range of skills and ages, the repertoire chosen and ensemble direction will best suite the following type of player:

Approx. 4+ years playing experience

Grade 4-5+ repertoire

KEYS:  2-3 octave Major and minor scales up to 4 sharps and 4 flats (3 octaves preferred)

BOWING: Slurs, staccato, spiccato, hooked bowing, tremolo, accents, marcato

RHYTHM/METER: quarters, halves, dotted half and whole notes, eighth notes, sixteenth notes, simple dotted rhythms, some syncopation, triplets.  2/4, 3/4 , 4/4, 5/4, 6/8, mixed/uneven meters

TONE: Regular use of vibrato

POSITIONS: 

Violins 1 positions 1- 6

Violin 2 positions 1-3 (5th position preferred)

Viola positions:  1-5, treble clef

Cello positions:  1-6+, tenor clef

Bass positions:  1- 6

DYNAMICS:  Full range of dynamics

SUZUKI BOOK EQUIVALENTS:

Suzuki Book 5+

By registering my student, I understand the following:

• No payments due until the start of each semester
• We will review and adhere to the attendance policy.
• We will make sure that the student is equiped with a properly sized instrument that is is excellent working order.
• We will return any MVSO materials at the end of the semester.

SCHOOL ORCHESTRA PARTICIPATION

We support our school orchestras! We believe your school orchestra is your home base for learning, community and growth. We DO NOT replace your school orchestra. It is our expectation that every student that is able is a regular participant in their school's orchestra. Students who are found to not be signed up or participating in their school's orchestra (if your school has one) may be at risk of losing their place within the Youth Strings program. If you have considerations you'd like us to be aware of, please email mvsyouthstrings@gmail.com to discuss.

Music Theory and Composition

Class Time: Saturdays, 1:45-2:30pm  Cost :  $75/semester

Open to all Youth Strings Sinfonia and Coda players. You must already be signed up for Sinfonia or Coda to participate. 

New for 2025-2026 we are pleased to offer a Music Theory and Composition class for our Sinfonia and Coda level students. Students are expected to have a firm grasp on note reading and basic elements of common elements found in their orchestra music.

In this class students will discuss what composition and theory are and how they fit together. Students will learn about chords and intervals, melody and harmony, musical form and structure.

Students will also learn how to write for performers, the limits of composition as well as how the score is a tool of communication between the composer and the performer. In this class the students will be encouraged to listen to music they are unfamiliar with, to experience a variety of composers.

Students will begin writing their own short compositions with instructor guidance and possible performance by Chamber groups.

Chamber Music

Class Time: Saturdays, 2:30-3:15         Cost :  $75/semester

Open to all Youth Strings Sinfonia and Coda players. You must already be signed up for Sinfonia or Coda to participate. Each chamber group will be coached by an MVSO member and will present their pieces at concerts and community events.  Chamber musicians will develop personal musical expression and interpersonal communication since ensembles play without a conductor. All groups will be formed according to instrument, age and level of players and may be re-formed each semester.   

Performance Hour will be held monthly during the chamber music time.  Here, chamber groups will gather in a workshop setting to practice performing and will receive comments and suggestions from the chamber music staff.

CHAMBER MUSIC ATTENDANCE POLICY

Constitent attendance is VITAL to the practice and rehearsal of chamber music. When a part is missing it is difficult for the group to have adequate and productive rehearsals. Since chamber groups perform without a conductor the attendance of every student ensures students are able to work on communication and connection between parts. We, therefore, hold our chamber musicians to a higher standard in regards to attendance. Please do not sign up if you will be absent more than two times in a semester. If you sign up, please plan your absences accordingly or you may forfeit the privilege of participating and performing.