Macaulay and Victoria West
Grade 5 Strings Program
Welcome Macaulay and Victoria West families! On this page, you'll find information about the strings program, including notices that were sent home on paper, announcements, event dates and more.
Please get in touch with me at rmcdonell@sd61.bc.ca if you have questions or concerns.
Please get in touch with me at rmcdonell@sd61.bc.ca if you have questions or concerns.
Announcements
Welcome, newcomers!
All students in grade 5 at Vic West and Macaulay have the opportunity to try an orchestral strings instrument! I will be meeting with students on Friday, September 8th to explain the details. Our next class is on Wednesday, September 13th - anyone who is curious to know more should attend. Please feel free to get in touch with me at rmcdonell@sd61.bc.ca
All students in grade 5 at Vic West and Macaulay have the opportunity to try an orchestral strings instrument! I will be meeting with students on Friday, September 8th to explain the details. Our next class is on Wednesday, September 13th - anyone who is curious to know more should attend. Please feel free to get in touch with me at rmcdonell@sd61.bc.ca
2023 2024 School Year Class Times:
Victoria West Class Times:
Wednesdays from 12:35 to 1:20pm (music room) and
Fridays from 12:35 to 1:20pm (music room)
Macaulay Class Times:
Wednesdays from 1:52 to 2:37pm (library) and
Fridays from 11:00 to 11:45am (library)
Wednesdays from 12:35 to 1:20pm (music room) and
Fridays from 12:35 to 1:20pm (music room)
Macaulay Class Times:
Wednesdays from 1:52 to 2:37pm (library) and
Fridays from 11:00 to 11:45am (library)
Letters That Have Gone Home
How to get a String Instrument
Every student will need an instrument of their own to use in class and to practice at home. Beginner strings players typically rent or borrow an instrument, until they know if they like it. Many students in our district borrow an instrument from SD61's Cooper Smith Music Library Collection, or rent one from a local music retailer, such as Tapestry Music or Long and McQuade Musical Instruments. Please see the brochure below which outlines these options.
Information on Borrowing an Instrument from SD61
Please read the following documents on how to borrow an instrument from SD61 carefully. Your child will be responsible for this instrument until June (or they leave the program). These instruments are valuable - you may be asked to pay for any damage that occurs to it, up to the replacement value of the instrument.
Once the paperwork is complete, please bring it to your school's Main Office. Please note:
- Please include a cheque made payable to "Greater Victoria School District" for the fee, or clearly indicate on the form or by email that you are asking for the fee to be waived.
- Please be patient. It can sometimes take a week or more for me to deliver your child's instrument to class.
Concerts
For now, we have one year-end concert planned for 7pm, Wednesday, June 19th, 2024 at the gym at Rockheights. Any more concerts will be announced as the year progresses.
Caring for your string instrument
- If it appears to be broken, please DO NOT attempt to fix it. I am happy to help you and many things can be fixed easily.
- Cellos must be left on their sides, not their backs or propped up in a corner.
- The cases are not strong. Please DO NOT put heavy items on them or stuff them into tight spaces, such as full car trunks.
- These instruments should be kept inside (i.e. not in a car trunk overnight). The glue can crack if it gets too cold.
- Please don't touch bow hair - once it gets greasy, it has to be re-haired.
- Please unwind the bow before putting it away, and wind it up to use (not too tight - the bow stick should still curve.)
- If rosin dust accumulates on the instrument, wipe it away with a soft, dry cloth. Do not use water or any solvents on string instruments.
How to tune your instrument using the fine tuners
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If your instrument is so out ouf tune that you need to use the pegs, please get in touch with me and I can walk you through it. Tuning an orchestral stringed instrument is different from a guitar or ukulele and the strings can easily break. You will be asked to pay the cost to replace strings which you break.
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