Welcome to Orchestra!

Step 1: Try out instruments

Step 2: Sign-up for orchestra

Step 3: Rent Instrument and Purchase Supplies

Step 4: Enroll in private lessons (or get on a waitlist)

Step 5: Get Connected

This video covers the same information that was covered at the live parent meeting in March.

These supplies are included in the 'beginner kit' or 'school kit' that we discussed in the video. Your student will need all of these supplies for beginner orchestra.

• Method Book: Sound innovations for string orchestra, book 1

• Shoulder rest/rock stop

• Cleaning cloth

• Rosin

• Music Stand

Your student will also need a tuner!

This is NOT automatically included in the kit. When purchasing your beginner kit, please opt to get the recommended tuner as an add-on item or purchase the recommended tuner from the amazon links below.

Your student will need all of the above supplies.

Make sure to get the beginner kit and tuner with your rental to make the process smooth for your student as they start the year.

Recommended Tuners (Dallas Strings offers these same recommended tuners):

Violin/Viola: Amazon Link

Cello/Bass: Amazon Link

Reputable Rental Companies

You can click on these links to get your rental started now! Make sure to also purchase the supply kit and tuner.

#1 Option:

• Dallas Strings

If you need to know your student's instrument size, please email

lalondec@friscoisd.org or sluderk@friscoisd.org

Other Local Options:

• Brook Mays
• Music & Arts

If you find another local option and want to know if it meets the requirements, please just ask. There are many local options for instrument rental that are acceptable and some that are not.

Please have your rental delivered to Lawler. This applies to all instruments (violin, viola, cello, and bass). Do not take it home directly from the store. We need to prepare the instrument for the school year, and students should not be playing their instruments unguided over the summer. This will set them back in their technique and make the beginning of the year more difficult for them.

Private lessons are an important part of a musician's growth. While not required, we highly recommend private lessons to all students in the LMS orchestras. Every student will start their musical journey in orchestra with a different level of natural talent and prior musical experience, but no matter where they are starting, private lessons will help them to grow and build strong technique.

Lawler Orchestra classes are taught in a group setting. While we work to meet with each student individually to set goals and work on technique, orchestra class functions very differently from a one-on-one lesson. In class, we usually teach with a 20+ student to teacher ratio.

Private lessons are not "tutorials" to help with the classroom curriculum and should not be used to boost your student for a short period of time in preparation for auditions or competitions. While lessons can function as a support to classroom teaching, private lessons are a companion to the orchestra classroom and an opportunity for your student to receive extended one-on-one coaching, long term growth, and to approach their instrument as a soloist rather than one of many students in the ensemble. Students in lessons will receive additional solo music and will have opportunities to shine at solo contests in the spring and region auditions in their 7th/8th grade years.

Most lessons take place as pull-outs during orchestra class once a week. They can also be scheduled outside of the school day per teacher availability. Signing up for private lessons is a full school year commitment. Please do not sign up for a lesson spot unless you are committed to lessons for the full school year. Our private lesson teachers build their schedule according to sign-ups.

If you wish to get enrolled please complete the google form below. Lesson spots will be filled first-come, first-served.

We do not recommend starting lessons over the summer. Starting lessons in tandem with the beginning of the school year is ideal for student's learning.

Instagram @lawlerorchestra

Facebook Page Lawler Middle School Orchestra

Christy LaLonde lalondec@friscoisd.org

Kevin Sluder sluderk@friscoisd.org

Young Park (harp) parky@friscoisd.org