You’re invited to join our
Orchestra
Hannah Gray, Orchestra Director
Adams Elementary: 472-4392
Keller Elementary: 472-6244
hggray@mpsaz.org
Why Join Orchestra?
Join the orchestra and you will experience the
fun of music making in the best possible way
by doing it yourself. You will learn many new
skills that are not only important for making
music, but will also help you to become a
better thinker and problem solver. In music,
no one “sits on the bench”; every student
finds out what it takes to be successful. You
will also learn to cooperate with others and
demonstrate the results of your hard work by
performing.
Does it cost anything to join the
orchestra?
Orchestra classes are provided by the school
district; there is no charge.
Classes are scheduled twice per week during
the school day.
Is expected to participate in all school day
and evening concerts.
Is expect to “stick with it” for the whole school
year.
What is expected of the parent?
Will help their child remember their instrument
and music on lesson days.
Will encourage practice by scheduling a daily
home practice time and by providing a place
free from distractions.
Will listen to their child plan and encourage
their efforts.
What is expected of the orchestra
teacher?
What is expected of the student?
Will give expert instruction in a positive
environment.
Must attend classes regularly and must come
prepared with his/her instrument and books.
Will provide clear expectations about what is
required of students in class and at home.
Is expected to practice at home on a regular
basis.
Must take care of his/her instrument and must
take it home after each lesson.
Must keep up with any schoolwork missed
while attending music classes.
Will provide regular feedback on student
progress.
Will help the student reach the goals of the
MPS district music curriculum. You can view
the MPS Orchestra curriculum at:
http://www.mpsaz.org/arts/music/curriculum/o
rchestracurriculum/
How do I join?
Enrollment in orchestra requires two
easy steps:
1. Discuss the brochure with your
parents, and have them complete
the enrollment form
2. After receiving the enrollment form,
Miss Gray will contact you to
discuss instrument selection and
other items needed.
What kind of instruments should we
rent?
The instruments are readily available on
rental plans at most of the music stores in our
area. Please refer to the Yellow Pages of
your phone book under “Musical InstrumentsRent”.
How do I obtain an instrument?
Be sure to take your child with you when you
rent the instrument, as correct sizing is critical
to your student’s musical success. Keep in
mind that the student’s success often
depends on the quality of their instrument.
The orchestra teacher will help you to
determine which instrument is best for you to
play. Parents are strongly encouraged to rent
a high quality instrument for the duration of
the entire school year. Check the yellow
pages for your local music stores.
There are many instruments that are
advertised as being “quality” that are well
below standards set by music educators.
Mesa Public School string teachers are
familiar with several brands that have proven
to be of predictable and reliable quality.
Glaesel
Knilling
Lewis
Meisel
Eastman
Roth
Klaus Mueller
Howard Core
Suzuki Nagoya
Class Materials
Rosin
There are certain accessories that will
greatly accelerate your child’s
progress. These items should be
purchased with the instrument upon
rental.
Please refer to the Yellow Pages of
your phone book under “Musical
Instruments-Stores” for a list of local
music stores.
Polish and Polishing Cloth
Concert tunes Book 1
(For your specific instrument)
Folding Music Stand
(You can find these for around
$10.00)
Essential Elements 2000 for
Strings (for your specific
instrument)
My Philosophy of Education
1. Every student has the ability to learn. Music is
a subject that helps broaden a child’s mind
and encourages them in many other subjects
in school.
“A 2001 report by The College
Entrance Examination Board showed
that music involvement increased
students’ SAT scores. The report
says that “students in music
performance [courses] scored 57
points higher on the verbal and 41
points higher on the math, and
students in music appreciation
[courses] scored 63 points higher on
verbal and 44 points higher on the
math, than students with no arts
participation.” (Source: “CollegeBound Seniors National Report:
Profile of SAT Program Test Takers.”
Princeton, NJ: The College Entrance
Examination Board, 2001.)
2. Music is an integral part of education. Many
view a music classroom as a
hobby/extracurricular activity. There are many
disciplinary parallels that pertain to music
education. I.e. math, science, history, and
literature.
“Music literacy is like language
literacy. Everyone has the ability to
hear, speak, read, and write a
language. Therefore, everyone has
the ability to hear, sing, read, and
write music. Music literacy is
something that everyone can and has
the right to enjoy.” – (Kodály Summer
Institute 2013." Kodály Summer Institute
2013 - Programs - Music Education - NYU
Steinhardt. New York University, 2013. Web.
12 July 2013.)
3. My goal is to have each student enjoy every
aspect of music. A music classroom helps
students to learn responsibility, how to work
in collaborative groups, and how to be
leaders in their environment.
4. Music education does not only happen at
school. I strongly recommend giving your
children encouragement and a positive place
to practice at home. This will only help their
education and will keep them excited about
this new endeavor they are embarking on.
Keep encouraging your budding musician! Let
them know that they have your support!
“Tell me, I forget; Show me, I
remember; Involve me, I
understand”- Carl Orff
Mesa Public Schools
The MPS Music Education Program provides
support services for all elementary and
secondary schools. The primary focus of the
various programs, including band, choral music,
general music, harp and orchestra is to develop
comprehensive musicianship.
The support and encouragement of
administrators and the community have been
instrumental in helping the music program evolve
to a high level of excellence. The real
benefactors are the young musicians who bring
their talents and skills to their peers, teachers,
parents and the entire community.
A special kind of learning takes place in music
classes that impacts the intellectual and
emotional development of our students.
Ultimately, we want each student to become the
best person possible. Music education offers a
pathway to this educational destination. We truly
believe that a grounding in the arts will help the
children of Mesa grow wiser and become solid,
productive citizens for life.
Orchestra in Mesa Public Schools
Mesa Public Schools has a strong commitment to
a total music education program. Therefore, it is
not surprising that the MPS orchestra component
is recognized as one of our nation’s finest.
Approximately forty-five outstanding string
educators service over 6600 string students
throughout the district. MPS orchestra classes
consist of string and full symphony orchestras, as
well as numerous chamber and specialty
ensembles.
Students can start their string education on violin,
viola, cello or bass beginning in fourth grade.
Students may use district-owned instruments free
of charge. Approximately 5000 students enroll in
fourth, fifth and sixth grade orchestra classes
each year. Students meet twice weekly for thirty
minutes in mixed groups with a string teacher.
Each year, district-sponsored Performance
Evaluations provide elementary orchestra
members and teacher an opportunity to receive
valuable and helpful feedback from a clinician
and from their peers.
Some schools form honor groups, which are
designed to expand students’ musical
possibilities. Such groups often perform for
community functions and state conferences. An
all-elementary district honor orchestra performs
in the spring each year.
Each of the district’s thirteen junior high school
(grades 7-9) has three or more orchestras that
are grouped by ability. Classes meet daily for a
fifty-minute period during the school day.
Approximately 1200 students participate in the
junior high orchestra program each year. The
orchestras perform at a high level, receiving
highest honors at both state and local festivals.
The district sponsors Performance Evaluations
for junior high orchestras and teachers. In
addition, special ensembles such as fiddle
groups and strolling strings are formed to add
novelty and enrichment to the musical landscape.
A district junior high festival orchestra performs
each spring.
High School (grades 10-12) orchestra meet as
ability-based groups each day for fifty minutes.
Each of the six high schools offer three or more
ability-based orchestras. Full symphony
orchestra is offered at some schools. More than
five hundred students are enrolled in the high
school orchestra program. These orchestras
consistently receive high honors in state,
regional, and national events.
ORCHESTRA ENROLLMENT FORM
Please fill out this form and return it before August 26th
Student Name: ___________________________Classroom Teacher & Room #:________________________________/_______
Parent Name:_____________________________ Phone Number: (_______)__________________________________
Parent E-mail Address: ______________________________________________________________________________________
PARENT CONTRACT
By signing below, you are stating that you
will support your child’s participation in
orchestra by:
 Making sure your child remembers their
instrument & music on orchestra days.
 Agreeing that your child will participate
in the orchestra program for the entire
school year.
 You will encourage home practice by
scheduling a regular practice time and
help them find a place to practice at
home.
 Making sure your child is not falling
behind in their classroom work.
 Encouraging and giving positive feedback
to their progress on a regular basis.
My child________________________ has my support
to participate in the orchestra program this
year.
3RD GRADE TEACHER RECOMMENDATION
Students need the recommendation from last
year’s teacher (ONLY IF THEY WENT TO
ADAMS).
Please check one option.
__________ This student HIGHLY displayed
responsibility, leadership and quality work
last year.
__________ This student showed SOME
responsibility, leadership and quality work
last year.
__________ This student LACKED
responsibility, leadership skills and quality
work last year.
Last year’s Classroom Teacher Signature:
Parent Signature:_______________________________
Today’s Date:____________________________________
STUDENT CONTRACT
By signing below, you are saying that you
will:
 Attend orchestra regularly.
 You will practice at home on a regular
basis. If you can’t play at school, it’s
homework.
 You will come prepared with your
instrument and materials on assigned
orchestra days.
 You will treat all instruments with
respect.
 You will make up all missed class work.
Student Signature:_____________________________
Today’s Date: ______________________________
Today’s Date:_____________________________________
4th GRADE TEACHER RECOMMENDATION
Student must receive their current classroom
teacher’s signature showing their support of
your students’ participation in the orchestra
program.
Current Classroom Teacher Signature:
Today’s Date:_____________________________________