Strings & Orchestra (Grades 1–4)

Learn to play the violin or cello.

Make Music With Your Friends!

Make music, make friends, make music with your friends. Choose the violin or the cello and join a program built for players at every level, from complete beginners to students who have been at it for years. Classes focus on reading music notation and on learning to play a long list of songs on your instrument, and each semester finishes with a performance for family and friends.

LED BY LJCDS Joan Diener and Kelley Hart, who together lead a program that has been part of Country Day for more than thirty years.
Contact: Kelley Hart · khart@ljcds.org

Program highlights

• Small in-school groups: weekday group lessons during PE class and recess give students individual attention.
• Larger after-school ensemble: after-school class brings players together in bigger, collaborative groups.
• Reading comes first: note and rhythm reading are emphasized throughout so students become independent musicians.
• A deep repertoire: dozens of songs at varying levels of difficulty.
• At least two concerts a year: performances mark progress and give students something to play toward.
• Students leave with the skills to play an instrument and a group of friends they made while playing it.

Ways to take part: 

1. Grades 1 & 2 ($600/year): An after-school class on Tuesdays, 3–4:15 p.m., plus one group class each week during a recess or PE period. Students must be taking private lessons outside of school at the same time. 
2. Grades 3 & 4 (No fee): Two group lessons each week during the school day, one in a PE class and one at recess. There is no after-school component and no fee — families just submit the registration form.
   

LS Strings & Orchestra Registration Form

Prerequisites
-An instrument, rented or purchased

-Strings Grades 1 & 2 also requires concurrent private lessons.

Key dates families need
Thu, Dec. 10 Winter Concert, 5:30 p.m.
Tue, May 4 Spring Concert, 5:30 p.m.

This is a year-long program that continues past the fall session. Students may take part in both Strings and the PE tennis program — the teachers coordinate schedules with the coach.