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
Year End Performances!
There are two opportunities coming up for students to perform the music they've been learning for their families. Both events are free to the public. You may bring as many family members as you wish.
School District 61 Strings Finale Concert for all SD61 Strings Students
7pm, Tuesday, May 7th, 2024, McKinnon Gym, University of Victoria (all family and friends welcome)
There are two opportunities coming up for students to perform the music they've been learning for their families. Both events are free to the public. You may bring as many family members as you wish.
School District 61 Strings Finale Concert for all SD61 Strings Students
7pm, Tuesday, May 7th, 2024, McKinnon Gym, University of Victoria (all family and friends welcome)
Final Concert for both Vic West and Macaulay combined
7pm, Wednesday, June 19th, 2024. Rockheights Gym (all family and friends are welcome)
7pm, Wednesday, June 19th, 2024. Rockheights Gym (all family and friends are welcome)
- This is our one major performance of the year, and students are asked to please participate in it, unless there are very compelling reasons not to. The students work together all year, and so any absences can really impact the experience of everyone. Students from Vic West, Macaulay and Rockheights will perform together, along with special guests, the choir from Rockheights. At the end of the concert, parents are asked to please bring their child's textbook and district instrument to the large music room at Rockheights for return. More information will be sent home closer to this date.
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
Vic West Winter Concerts
Wednesday, December 20th, 2023. Afternoon (for students) and 6:15pm (for parents), Vic West Gym
Macaulay Winter Singalong
Friday, December 22nd, 2023. 11:00am. Macaulay Gym (I believe this performance is for students only - please contact the school about spectating.)
School District 61 Strings Finale Concert for all SD61 Strings Students
7pm, Tuesday, May 7th, 2024, McKinnon Gym, University of Victoria (all family and friends welcome)
Students must wear black pants or skirts, and a white dress shirt, blouse or lightweight sweater
Final Concert for both Vic West and Macaulay combined
7pm, Wednesday, June 19th, 2024. Rockheights Gym (all family and friends are welcome)
Wednesday, December 20th, 2023. Afternoon (for students) and 6:15pm (for parents), Vic West Gym
Macaulay Winter Singalong
Friday, December 22nd, 2023. 11:00am. Macaulay Gym (I believe this performance is for students only - please contact the school about spectating.)
School District 61 Strings Finale Concert for all SD61 Strings Students
7pm, Tuesday, May 7th, 2024, McKinnon Gym, University of Victoria (all family and friends welcome)
Students must wear black pants or skirts, and a white dress shirt, blouse or lightweight sweater
Final Concert for both Vic West and Macaulay combined
7pm, Wednesday, June 19th, 2024. Rockheights Gym (all family and friends are welcome)
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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Practice Tracks
You can play the "Open String Blues" along with this video.