Bellevue Orchestra Program
5th Grade Beginning Strings
During the Fall semester, all Fifth grade students will rotate through the various Related Arts offerings at Bellevue so that they can acquaint themselves with all the offerings available to them. Prior to Winter Break, students will make choices about which courses they wish to pursue in Spring semester.
In January, students who elect to take Beginning Strings will learn about the characteristics of the four instruments available in class: violin, viola, cello, or bass. Students will choose a 1st and 2nd preference, then instruments will be assigned based on the need for a balanced ensemble. Parents will then receive information on instrument rental from a local music store of their choosing. It is highly recommended that families rent an instrument and do not purchase initially as the size will change as the student grows. Please do not purchase any instruments (especially online!) without consulting with the teacher first. Quality ranges widely, and we want to see all our students with equipment that allows them to be their best.
Beginning Strings students learn the basic fundamentals of reading music, how to care for their instrument, and how to properly play that instrument. The group will perform in the Spring Concert near the end of the school year.
6th Grade Intermediate Strings
All 5th grade students who successfully pass Beginning Strings will be promoted to the 6th Grade Intermediate Strings. A limited number of beginners are accepted in 6th grade as well, but private lessons are encouraged to help students get caught up as quickly as possible.
Students expand on their knowledge of note reading and learn new techniques which allow them to play more challenging music.
7th & 8th Grade Advanced Strings
All 6th and 7th grade students who successfully pass the prior year will be promoted to Advanced Strings. A limited number of beginners are accepted, however private lessons are required in order to set the students up for success in an advanced level class.
7th grade Strings introduces the concept of shifting, vibrato, and other advanced techniques. 8th grade Strings refines and applies these techniques to literature. Although 7th and 8th grade classes meet separately, they join together for performances to form the Advanced Strings group. Because their classes are separate, a limited number of after school rehearsals are required. Advanced Strings will perform in the December Winter Concert, the MTSBOA Concert Performance Assessment in March, as well as the Spring Concert near the end of the school year. In addition, they will have the opportunity to participate in an overnight performance trip. Trips in the past have included St. Louis, Gatlinburg, and Disney World. Concert dress is all black including tights/leggings and nice dress shoes.
Both grade levels are eligible to audition for the MNPS Honors Orchestra and MTSBOA Mid-State Orchestra. Mid-State is an all-star group of string players throughout middle TN that gather for an intensive 2 days full of rehearsals and culminating in a concert. The auditions are typically in late November and early December. All Advanced Strings students are prepared in class to audition for this opportunity by working on a solo, 2 octave scales, and sight reading in class. Students that decide to try out will perform at a blind audition hosted by MTSBOA and are accepted based on their score.
The Honors Orchestra is a local version of the Mid-State all-star group which typically happens in November. Students are chosen by audition based on their preparation of the Mid-State solo.
Private Lessons are optional but encouraged for students of all ability levels. Bellevue offers private lessons taught by a professional string instructor during the school day for a nominal fee.
Other Performance Opportunities
MTSBOA Solo & Ensemble Festival is an opportunity to perform for a judge in a low stress setting for all grade levels. By preparing for such an event, students raise the bar of excellence and gain valuable feedback from the judges. The teacher will help students choose appropriate literature and students can participate for a fee of $10.
Chamber Ensemble is a group of advanced students selected by the teacher that work as ambassadors to the school and perform at various events throughout the year based on need.
Youth Orchestras are another great way for students to get more performance opportunities outside of the school day. Bellevue has had students who participate in the Music City Youth Orchestra, Vanderbilt Blair Youth Orchestra, and Williamson County Youth Orchestra.
Private Lessons
Private lessons are available during the school day for a fee of $20/half hour lesson. Lessons are a great way for students to get one-on-one attention that will help them stay current on skills, give them an extra challenge, or give them the extra edge for auditions.
During the Fall semester, all Fifth grade students will rotate through the various Related Arts offerings at Bellevue so that they can acquaint themselves with all the offerings available to them. Prior to Winter Break, students will make choices about which courses they wish to pursue in Spring semester.
In January, students who elect to take Beginning Strings will learn about the characteristics of the four instruments available in class: violin, viola, cello, or bass. Students will choose a 1st and 2nd preference, then instruments will be assigned based on the need for a balanced ensemble. Parents will then receive information on instrument rental from a local music store of their choosing. It is highly recommended that families rent an instrument and do not purchase initially as the size will change as the student grows. Please do not purchase any instruments (especially online!) without consulting with the teacher first. Quality ranges widely, and we want to see all our students with equipment that allows them to be their best.
Beginning Strings students learn the basic fundamentals of reading music, how to care for their instrument, and how to properly play that instrument. The group will perform in the Spring Concert near the end of the school year.
6th Grade Intermediate Strings
All 5th grade students who successfully pass Beginning Strings will be promoted to the 6th Grade Intermediate Strings. A limited number of beginners are accepted in 6th grade as well, but private lessons are encouraged to help students get caught up as quickly as possible.
Students expand on their knowledge of note reading and learn new techniques which allow them to play more challenging music.
7th & 8th Grade Advanced Strings
All 6th and 7th grade students who successfully pass the prior year will be promoted to Advanced Strings. A limited number of beginners are accepted, however private lessons are required in order to set the students up for success in an advanced level class.
7th grade Strings introduces the concept of shifting, vibrato, and other advanced techniques. 8th grade Strings refines and applies these techniques to literature. Although 7th and 8th grade classes meet separately, they join together for performances to form the Advanced Strings group. Because their classes are separate, a limited number of after school rehearsals are required. Advanced Strings will perform in the December Winter Concert, the MTSBOA Concert Performance Assessment in March, as well as the Spring Concert near the end of the school year. In addition, they will have the opportunity to participate in an overnight performance trip. Trips in the past have included St. Louis, Gatlinburg, and Disney World. Concert dress is all black including tights/leggings and nice dress shoes.
Both grade levels are eligible to audition for the MNPS Honors Orchestra and MTSBOA Mid-State Orchestra. Mid-State is an all-star group of string players throughout middle TN that gather for an intensive 2 days full of rehearsals and culminating in a concert. The auditions are typically in late November and early December. All Advanced Strings students are prepared in class to audition for this opportunity by working on a solo, 2 octave scales, and sight reading in class. Students that decide to try out will perform at a blind audition hosted by MTSBOA and are accepted based on their score.
The Honors Orchestra is a local version of the Mid-State all-star group which typically happens in November. Students are chosen by audition based on their preparation of the Mid-State solo.
Private Lessons are optional but encouraged for students of all ability levels. Bellevue offers private lessons taught by a professional string instructor during the school day for a nominal fee.
Other Performance Opportunities
MTSBOA Solo & Ensemble Festival is an opportunity to perform for a judge in a low stress setting for all grade levels. By preparing for such an event, students raise the bar of excellence and gain valuable feedback from the judges. The teacher will help students choose appropriate literature and students can participate for a fee of $10.
Chamber Ensemble is a group of advanced students selected by the teacher that work as ambassadors to the school and perform at various events throughout the year based on need.
Youth Orchestras are another great way for students to get more performance opportunities outside of the school day. Bellevue has had students who participate in the Music City Youth Orchestra, Vanderbilt Blair Youth Orchestra, and Williamson County Youth Orchestra.
Private Lessons
Private lessons are available during the school day for a fee of $20/half hour lesson. Lessons are a great way for students to get one-on-one attention that will help them stay current on skills, give them an extra challenge, or give them the extra edge for auditions.