Clinton Elementary
Cranbrook Elementary
Colerain Elementary
Indian Springs Elementary
Winterset Elementary
Instrumental Music
STRINGS HANDBOOK
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC TEACHER CONTACT INFORMATION:
Mr. Travis Damicone
Email: tdamicone6514@columbus.k12.oh.us
Website: ccsinstrumentalmusic.weebly.com
Welcome to the Instrumental Music STRINGS Program!
The Strings program is available to 4th and 5th grade students. Students may play one of the following stringed
instruments: violin, viola, cello, or double bass. Fourth Grade students play in a beginning class. Fifth
Grade students continue to study the instrument they played in Fourth Grade in a more advanced class.
This packet will help you and your child get started in the strings program. Please read the information and do
not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or need assistance.
WHAT DO YOU NEED?
1. INSTRUMENT:
Parents are responsible for obtaining an instrument for their child. I highly recommend renting an instrument
from a music store listed below. These stores provide a high-quality instrument, include free
maintenance/repairs, and make sure you have everything you need to take care of your instrument. You will
need to take your child with you when going to rent an instrument. Since string instruments come in various
sizes, your child must be present to be properly sized for the instrument. I do not recommend purchasing an
instrument at this time, since your child will eventually outgrow it. The rental process allows for you to trade-in
an instrument for a larger size as your child grows.
The Loft Violin Shop www.theloftviolinshop.com
4604 N. High Street (north of Henderson Road, park next to the Candy Store)
Columbus, OH 43214
614-267-7221
I cannot stress how important it is to have a high-quality instrument for your student. There are many string
instruments made with inferior parts that break easily, cannot be repaired, and just sound bad. I highly suggest
renting from the stores I’ve listed above to ensure your student will be successful. I do not recommend
purchasing an instrument at a pawn shop, department store, catalog, or Craigslist.
There are a limited number of district-owned instruments available for students. If you have a financial
hardship in obtaining an instrument, please contact me ASAP to see if there is an instrument available for your
child.
I am happy to help you find a good instrument within your budget. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you
need further assistance.
2. MUSIC BOOK:
All strings students will be using ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS 2000 - BOOK 1. Be sure to
get the specific book for the instrument your child will be playing (Violin, Viola, Cello, or
Double Bass). The book costs approximately $9 and can be purchased at the following
locations:
The Loft Violin Shop
Music and Arts*
Music and Arts*
Music and Arts*
Stanton’s Sheet Music
4604 N. High Street
43 N. State Street, Westerville
159 Graceland Blvd, Columbus
5999 E. Main Street, Reynoldsburg
330 S. Fourth Street (Downtown)
614-267-7221
614-891-9008
614-880-1000
614-863-3200
614-224-4257
*See attached Music and Arts flyer for a $5.00 coupon off any purchase!
*5th Grade Strings will review/continue work in EE 2000 Book 1 as well as other supplemental materials
provided by Mr. Damicone. Depending on the progress of the class, an additional book may be requested.
3. FOLDING MUSIC STAND (strongly recommended):
This is extremely important for your child’s practice times at home. This does not need to be brought to school.
This can be purchased at any of the locations listed above.
All equipment needs to be secured by your child’s first
class meeting (week of Sept 8). Please check Mr.
Damicone’s website for this date as it varies by school.
No new enrollments will be accepted after the first class
meeting date!
Instrument Care
Please encourage your child to treat his/her musical instrument with great care. Keep the instrument off limits
to other students and siblings. If your instrument is damaged, please do not attempt to fix it. Many times,
things may look worse than they actually are. The best thing to do is 1) take it to the place you are renting
from, or 2) bring it to me at school and I may be able to fix it myself. Students are not allowed to touch the
pegs at any time. If a string is broken, please purchase a new string at any of the stores listed above and I will
install it here at school. Again, please do not attempt to fix the instrument yourself. I’m happy to help!
Required accessories for your instrument (may be included with your rental instrument) are:
Violin: shoulder rest or sponge, rosin, soft cleaning cloth
Viola: shoulder rest or sponge, rosin, soft cleaning cloth
Cello: rockstop or chair strap, rosin, soft cleaning cloth
Double Bass: rockstop or chair strap, bass rosin, soft cleaning cloth, 24-inch stool
Class Schedule
String classes meet twice per week for 30 minutes. Students may be grouped into classes based upon grade
level, ability level or prior experience, and/or instrument. Your child may be pulled from his or her core
academic classes for strings. Students are responsible for making up any missed work or assignments with
his or her classroom teacher(s). Some students’ string class will meet before school, during recess, or slightly
alter lunch time. Students will always have time to eat lunch.
Participation Requirements
Learning an instrument is very rewarding experience, but it takes a great deal of responsibility, commitment,
and time. It takes an investment from both the student and his or her family.
Strings students will have homework! Weekly assignments will be announced in class and posted on Mr.
Damicone’s website. Assignments will include what the student is to practice at home, such as specific playing
skills, songs from the book, any additional sheet music, and music theory concepts. In addition to weekly class
participation, practicing at home is crucial for your child’s success. I recommend practicing for 100 minutes per
week. Students are required to complete monthly practice charts.
All strings students are required to participate in concerts that are held throughout the year. We will perform at
least two evening concerts, one in winter and one in May. I will notify you well in advance of concert dates and
times as they are confirmed. There may also be additional performance opportunities during the school day or
at special school events.
I ask that all students commit to strings for the entire school year. If a student wishes to drop out at some
point, I will request a conference with the student and parent to decide the best action at that point. Excessive
class absences, forgetting to bring his/her instrument to school for class, unacceptable participation in class,
and/or lack of practice at home may result in a conference with teacher, student, and parent to discuss
possible removal from the program.
Grading
Students receive an Instrumental Music grade on their report card each grading period. Grading is based on
the following criteria:
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Playing skills through playing quizzes and ongoing assessment by the teacher
o Instrument position and posture
o Left hand skills – shape/placement, finger patterns, intonation
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o Right hand skills – bow hold, pizzicato technique, bowing technique
Music reading skills through note quizzes and tests
Attendance/Participation: Consistent attendance in strings class is essential for your student’s success
on his or her instrument. Students must have their instrument, book, and a pencil that writes for all
classes.
o Please note – Mr. Damicone permits one “unexcused” absence per grading period. An
unexcused absence is when the student is present at school, but does not participate (play his
or her instrument) during class. This could occur if a student has forgotten the instrument or not
attended class for any other reason without prior permission from Mr. Damicone. Additional
unexcused absences will result in the student’s Effort grade lowering to a “2”, or lower with
subsequent unexcused absences.
Monthly practice charts
Additional assignments
Discipline
Students in instrumental music are responsible for their own behavior. Any student not following class
expectations will be subject to the following consequences:
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Warning
PEAK
Student/Parent/Teacher Conference
Removal from Instrumental Music program
All equipment needs to be secured by your child’s first
class meeting (week of Sept 8). Please check Mr.
Damicone’s website for this date as it varies by school.
No new enrollments will be accepted after the first
class meeting date!