Hello 6th Grade Orchestra students and families,
Happy December! It is hard to believe we are already in the final weeks of the year; this year has been at once painfully slow and frighteningly fast.
Your students have been working so hard, and are doing great! I hope you’ve noticed their progress the last few weeks, even with our virtual situation. We are learning new notes, playing new songs, and sounding so good! So….
I am reaching out tonight with one VERY important and exciting thing: it is time for BOWS! Woohoo!
Learning to hold and use a bow is typically something I would teach over the course of several days and weeks, and would carefully mold and shape each student. Well, that’s not really all that possible right now. But I don’t just want to hand your child a 24+ inch pointy and fragile stick and say “Ok, goodbye!” I have worked with Dr. Kaminski, and have come up with a school-approved solution. Next week, I am asking students to come to Riverside for a 30-minute “crash course in bow usage.”
The details:
- Five sessions will be offered next week after school. Sessions are 30 minutes long. Families can drop and return, or can wait in the parking lot; only students will be allowed in the building
- We will meet in my classroom, which is on the junior high side. Students will enter Door 4 on RJH; signage will be posted to guide you
- Groups are limited to 20 students max (most will likely end up in the 15-18 person range)
- Students will be given their bows, shown how to hold and use them, and shown how to care for them
- All students will be properly masked at all times. Chairs are socially distanced in the classroom at a distance of at least 5 feet. Hand sanitizer is readily available at multiple locations within the room
- Violin and viola students should bring their instrument to school. Cello students can use an instrument at school. All instruments and chairs will be wiped down after each use
I have made a SignUp Genius form for you to register your child:https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E044EACAD2AA0F85-earn
If you are not comfortable with your child attending a small, masked, socially distant session at school, please contact me. I take COVID-19 very seriously and want to respect all families. We will arrange another way for your student to receive their bow and the proper instruction. Please understand that I am one person, teaching a program of over 250 students, and that my time is limited.
I appreciate your assistance in helping give the best possible education for your students. I know that no learning situation is ideal right now, but I am doing everything I can – including offering these after-school sessions – to provide for every child.
Please let me know any questions or concerns.
Have a wonderful weekend, and I look forward to seeing the students next week!