Elementary Strings Director: Haley Lovelace
the elementary strings programStudents move through three levels of classes within Elementary Strings. Levels I and II are structured as group classes, whose enrollment may range from 8 to 12 students. Level III is the Prelude String Orchestra, which serves as a transition to the more traditional orchestra-and-private-lesson format. Students may attend the same level of class as many years as necessary to master the skills and techniques learned at each stage. The pieces learned will change from year to year allowing students to stay challenged while fine-tuning their playing. After graduating from PSO, students may go on to join the SFYSA Intermezzo String Orchestra, Mariachi, or Jazz programs. ES graduates who are old enough and enrolled in a Santa Fe Public School also join their school orchestra.
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KEEPING YOU SAFE
This year we’re taking the current pandemic situation as an opportunity to offer new classes and keep your child engaged in music all school year long! We have continuing strings classes for our students who already play, as well as classes for new and old alike.
For the continued safety of our students, staff, and families involved, Elementary Strings will remain online throughout the year. That being said, if there is a drastic change that allows us to all play together safely, we will look into adjusting to an in-person format. Younger children have a more challenging time maintaining distance and hygiene standards, and we look to make your child most comfortable in their own home without a mask.
As classes will take place via Zoom, they are not school specific this year. Students may take whatever class is appropriate, and they’ll get the opportunity to make new friends from all over Santa Fe and Taos. As they grow into Prelude String Orchestra and beyond, they’ll already have connections and budding friendships!
All classes will conform to our usual format of twice per week, for 50 minutes. Class sizes will remain at approximately 10 students. If there is sufficient demand, we will open additional class blocks.
Registration will be available online starting August 10th, and we will kick off our season with an online meeting for all families on September 8th at 6:30pm. Classes will begin September 9th. Instrument exchanges and pick up will be available August 29th by appointment only. Please contact Haley Lovelace if you have any questions, at haley@sfysa.org. Thank you!
For the continued safety of our students, staff, and families involved, Elementary Strings will remain online throughout the year. That being said, if there is a drastic change that allows us to all play together safely, we will look into adjusting to an in-person format. Younger children have a more challenging time maintaining distance and hygiene standards, and we look to make your child most comfortable in their own home without a mask.
As classes will take place via Zoom, they are not school specific this year. Students may take whatever class is appropriate, and they’ll get the opportunity to make new friends from all over Santa Fe and Taos. As they grow into Prelude String Orchestra and beyond, they’ll already have connections and budding friendships!
All classes will conform to our usual format of twice per week, for 50 minutes. Class sizes will remain at approximately 10 students. If there is sufficient demand, we will open additional class blocks.
Registration will be available online starting August 10th, and we will kick off our season with an online meeting for all families on September 8th at 6:30pm. Classes will begin September 9th. Instrument exchanges and pick up will be available August 29th by appointment only. Please contact Haley Lovelace if you have any questions, at haley@sfysa.org. Thank you!
Ready to register for the 2020-2021 season?
2020-2021 Elementary strings online classes
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General Music: For all students, old and new!
Instructor Tamarah Lucero K-3: Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:00-4:50pm 3-6: Mondays and Wednesdays 4:00-4:50pm Is music your favorite class? Come join Ms. Tamarah! She has a background in not only violin and professional Mariachi, she’s also taught general music! We’ll sing songs, play games, and learn the fundamentals of music, as well as prepare songs for an online concert. Do you have a friend/cousin/sibling who wasn’t in class with you last year? Perhaps they’d like to join you! It’s a great leg up for anyone interested in joining a strings class next year. |
Music Mind Games: For all students, old and new!
Instructor Jack Boazz K-3: Mondays and Wednesdays 5:00-5:50pm 3-6: Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:00-5:50pm Music Mind Games is a program and structured curriculum that was first designed in the 1970’s as a way to introduce children to music, giving them a solid foundation in all areas. All activities are based in specific songs and games, and create musical literacy with joyfulness. Jack (who taught violin in Taos last year) has an eclectic background of jazz, composition, and world-wide performance. He will bring energy and skill to every class, and you’ll have fun along the way! Do you have a friend/cousin/sibling who wasn’t in class with you last year? Perhaps they’d like to join you! It’s a great leg up for anyone interested in joining a strings class next year. |
ONLINE CLASSES FOR RETURNING STUDENTS
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Violin/Viola 1+: For students who took Level 1 last year, but aren’t quite ready for Level 2!
*No new Level 1 students this year, just returning ones! Instructor: Sage Barton Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:00-4:50pm Level 1 doesn’t go the same speed for everyone. There’s so much to learn! Patterns, fine motor control, rhythm, getting comfortable with holding the instrument, and more. If you could play Twinkle last spring comfortably and easily, you’re ready for Level 2. If you weren’t quite there yet, this year will be full of brand new pieces, and we’ll begin Level 2 work whenever the class is ready! Violin 2: For all violin or viola students who either aren’t able to attend the earlier classes, or if the earlier class is full.
Instructor: Christine Chen Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:00-5:50pm Level 2 is for all violins and violas who have finished Level 1. We’ll cover new rhythms and finger patterns, and start learning to read music! Returning Level 2 students may move to PSO mid-year with teacher approval. |
THIS CLASS IS FILLED!
Violin 2: For violin students who can comfortably play Twinkle, but are not quite ready for orchestra. Instructor: Sage Barton Mondays and Wednesdays 4:00-4:50pm Level 2 is for all violins who have finished Level 1. We’ll cover new rhythms and finger patterns, and start learning to read music! Returning Level 2 students may move to PSO mid-year with teacher approval. Viola 2: For violin students who can comfortably play Twinkle, but are not quite ready for orchestra.
Instructor: Christine Chen Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:00-4:50pm Level 2 is for all violas who have finished Level 1. We’ll cover new rhythms and finger patterns, and start learning to read music! Returning Level 2 students may move to PSO mid-year with teacher approval. |
Cello 2: For cello students who can comfortably play Twinkle, but are not quite ready for orchestra.
Instructor: Katie Rietman
Mondays and Wednesdays 4:00-4:50pm
Level 2 is for all cellos who have finished Level 1. We’ll cover new rhythms and finger patterns, and start learning to read music! Returning Level 2 students may move to PSO mid-year with teacher approval.
Instructor: Katie Rietman
Mondays and Wednesdays 4:00-4:50pm
Level 2 is for all cellos who have finished Level 1. We’ll cover new rhythms and finger patterns, and start learning to read music! Returning Level 2 students may move to PSO mid-year with teacher approval.
GENERAL ELEMENTARY STRINGS INFORMATION
LEVEL I: BEGINNING STRINGS
Level I is open to students in grades 2 – 4 who have never studied a string instrument and to those who are still building their fundamental skills. At this level of instruction, students learn basic playing posture and fundamental right-hand and left-hand technique through building-block songs culminating in “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” Students also develop basic aural skills through listening to recordings of their music and through singing the repertory songs in class. Additional skills like stage presence, performance etiquette, introduction to the family of stringed instruments, working and performing together as an ensemble, introduction to note-reading, and the importance of home practice are also cultivated. Parents are encouraged to attend classes with their children and to supervise practice at home. Students may repeat this level until all beginning skills are mastered. If needed, please contact Haley (contact information is above) for a detailed list of all techniques covered.
LEVEL II: PRE-ORCHESTRA
Level II is available to all students who have completed Level I (to be determined by the instructor). In this level students master more of the foundational techniques of their instrument: different finger patterns/placements, longer piece length and structure, and more challenging bow technique like speed and distribution changes. Slightly more challenging skills continue to be developed: following a leader, changing tempo, dynamics, and contrasting musical styles. Ear training continues to be developed through listening and singing. Note-reading skills are now developed more fully on the instrument. When students are ready to graduate Level II, they are comfortable with high and low 2nd fingers, can play pieces with eighth, quarter, and half notes, know at least one 2-octave scale, and know the names of all notes in first position, both on their instrument and on sheet-music. The playing level is equivalent to “Etude” or “Rigadoon” from the Suzuki Method books. A student may remain in this level until all skills are mastered. If needed, please contact Haley (contact information is above) for a detailed list of all techniques covered.
LEVEL III: PRELUDE STRING ORCHESTRA
& PRIVATE LESSONS*
Click here for the PSO page.
Level I is open to students in grades 2 – 4 who have never studied a string instrument and to those who are still building their fundamental skills. At this level of instruction, students learn basic playing posture and fundamental right-hand and left-hand technique through building-block songs culminating in “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” Students also develop basic aural skills through listening to recordings of their music and through singing the repertory songs in class. Additional skills like stage presence, performance etiquette, introduction to the family of stringed instruments, working and performing together as an ensemble, introduction to note-reading, and the importance of home practice are also cultivated. Parents are encouraged to attend classes with their children and to supervise practice at home. Students may repeat this level until all beginning skills are mastered. If needed, please contact Haley (contact information is above) for a detailed list of all techniques covered.
LEVEL II: PRE-ORCHESTRA
Level II is available to all students who have completed Level I (to be determined by the instructor). In this level students master more of the foundational techniques of their instrument: different finger patterns/placements, longer piece length and structure, and more challenging bow technique like speed and distribution changes. Slightly more challenging skills continue to be developed: following a leader, changing tempo, dynamics, and contrasting musical styles. Ear training continues to be developed through listening and singing. Note-reading skills are now developed more fully on the instrument. When students are ready to graduate Level II, they are comfortable with high and low 2nd fingers, can play pieces with eighth, quarter, and half notes, know at least one 2-octave scale, and know the names of all notes in first position, both on their instrument and on sheet-music. The playing level is equivalent to “Etude” or “Rigadoon” from the Suzuki Method books. A student may remain in this level until all skills are mastered. If needed, please contact Haley (contact information is above) for a detailed list of all techniques covered.
LEVEL III: PRELUDE STRING ORCHESTRA
& PRIVATE LESSONS*
Click here for the PSO page.
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IMPORTANT LINKS
Established in 1998, Elementary Strings (ES) is an after-school program for violin, viola, and cello presented by SFYSA at area elementary schools. ES is open to all children in the Santa Fe area. The curriculum is inspired by the Suzuki Method, and adapted to serve students in a group-class rather than in a private-lesson setting. While parents are encouraged to support their students in a variety of ways - from attending class as a volunteer, to support of practice - parental expectations have been modified significantly from the standard Suzuki model. The program is designed as a feeder not only to SFYSA's Orchestras, Mariachi and Jazz programs, but also to the middle and high school orchestras of Santa Fe Public Schools.
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