About the CLES Orchestra
Centennial Lane Elementary School offers a String Orchestra program for third, fourth, and fifth grade students. Howard County Public Schools have a long-standing tradition of excellent musical performing groups and the opportunity to be a part of it starts now! Starting as early as 3rd grade, students can choose to begin playing violin, viola, cello, or string bass.
There has never been a better time to start playing an instrument!
Benefits
The benefits of joining orchestra are many. Playing an instrument helps to develop self-discipline, fine-motor coordination, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork skills. It provides opportunities for creativity and self-expression. Studying music and practicing an instrument offers students the opportunity to gain a better sense of responsibility, commitment, time management, and further their math and reading skills. All of this is on top of the sheer enjoyment of playing an instrument and making music with friends! These are valuable lifelong skills.
Expectations
To enjoy these benefits, however, one must make a commitment. Students will need to their maintain instruments and practice at home. Parents will need to help by getting an instrument, book, and supplies, and by facilitating practice at home by creating a regular practice schedule (5 days per week.) Students should know their schedules, and attend all classes on time with all required materials. Students playing Violin and Viola will drop off their instruments in the Orchestra Room in the morning on the day of their class. Students playing cello and bass will keep their instrument at home and use a school instrument (although students can bring their instrument if it is in need of tuning or repair.) Students will maintain weekly practice journals on Canvas, and will have periodic playing tests and other assignments to complete as part of their practice through Canvas.
Schedule
Students will have two - 30 minute sectionals per week. A sectional is a small group class of similar instruments where we can focus on the techniques and unique skills needed to play that instrument. These classes are scheduled concurrently with other subjects, and so are part of a 4 week rotation. 4th and 5th grade students in the Intermediate and Advanced Orchestras, respectively, will also have a weekly rehearsal where all of the instruments come together to learn how to collaborate and perform together. Students will be provided a copy of their rotating class schedule, it will be posted in their grade level pods, outside of the Orchestra Room 211, and viewable on their Canvas course.
Important Dates
CLES Orchestras will have a Winter and Spring Concert
12/12/22 - CLES Intermediate and Advanced Orchestra Winter Concert - Daytime Performance - CLES
12/12/22 - CLES Intermediate and Advanced Orchestra Winter Concert - Evening Performance - Centennial High School - 6:30 p.m.
1/26/23 - CLES Beginning Orchestra Winter Concert - Daytime Performance - CLES
1/26/23 - CLES Beginning Orchestra Winter Concert - Evening Performance - CLES - 6:30 p.m.
5/1/22 - CLES Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Orchestra Winter Concert - Daytime Performance - CLES
5/2/22 - CLES Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Orchestra Winter Concert - Daytime Performance - Centennial High School - 6:30 p.m.
6/6/22 - CLES Music Department Showcase - Evening Performance - Centennial High School - 6:30 p.m.
Registration Window
The registration window for Orchestra is from 8/29/22 - 9/13/22. The Advanced Orchestra will have their first sectional and rehearsal the week of 9/8/21 (schedule forth coming.) Our first classes will begin the week of 9/20/21. Please register soon!
I hope to see many new students begin Orchestra this year, and I hope that all students who want to continue in Orchestra feel welcome. A complete list of materials needed for class and rental/purchasing information is located in the Information section the CLES Orchestra website.
There has never been a better time to start playing an instrument!
Benefits
The benefits of joining orchestra are many. Playing an instrument helps to develop self-discipline, fine-motor coordination, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork skills. It provides opportunities for creativity and self-expression. Studying music and practicing an instrument offers students the opportunity to gain a better sense of responsibility, commitment, time management, and further their math and reading skills. All of this is on top of the sheer enjoyment of playing an instrument and making music with friends! These are valuable lifelong skills.
Expectations
To enjoy these benefits, however, one must make a commitment. Students will need to their maintain instruments and practice at home. Parents will need to help by getting an instrument, book, and supplies, and by facilitating practice at home by creating a regular practice schedule (5 days per week.) Students should know their schedules, and attend all classes on time with all required materials. Students playing Violin and Viola will drop off their instruments in the Orchestra Room in the morning on the day of their class. Students playing cello and bass will keep their instrument at home and use a school instrument (although students can bring their instrument if it is in need of tuning or repair.) Students will maintain weekly practice journals on Canvas, and will have periodic playing tests and other assignments to complete as part of their practice through Canvas.
Schedule
Students will have two - 30 minute sectionals per week. A sectional is a small group class of similar instruments where we can focus on the techniques and unique skills needed to play that instrument. These classes are scheduled concurrently with other subjects, and so are part of a 4 week rotation. 4th and 5th grade students in the Intermediate and Advanced Orchestras, respectively, will also have a weekly rehearsal where all of the instruments come together to learn how to collaborate and perform together. Students will be provided a copy of their rotating class schedule, it will be posted in their grade level pods, outside of the Orchestra Room 211, and viewable on their Canvas course.
Important Dates
CLES Orchestras will have a Winter and Spring Concert
12/12/22 - CLES Intermediate and Advanced Orchestra Winter Concert - Daytime Performance - CLES
12/12/22 - CLES Intermediate and Advanced Orchestra Winter Concert - Evening Performance - Centennial High School - 6:30 p.m.
1/26/23 - CLES Beginning Orchestra Winter Concert - Daytime Performance - CLES
1/26/23 - CLES Beginning Orchestra Winter Concert - Evening Performance - CLES - 6:30 p.m.
5/1/22 - CLES Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Orchestra Winter Concert - Daytime Performance - CLES
5/2/22 - CLES Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Orchestra Winter Concert - Daytime Performance - Centennial High School - 6:30 p.m.
6/6/22 - CLES Music Department Showcase - Evening Performance - Centennial High School - 6:30 p.m.
Registration Window
The registration window for Orchestra is from 8/29/22 - 9/13/22. The Advanced Orchestra will have their first sectional and rehearsal the week of 9/8/21 (schedule forth coming.) Our first classes will begin the week of 9/20/21. Please register soon!
I hope to see many new students begin Orchestra this year, and I hope that all students who want to continue in Orchestra feel welcome. A complete list of materials needed for class and rental/purchasing information is located in the Information section the CLES Orchestra website.