HOW DO I SIGN UP?
Select "Orchestra" on your middle school course selection sheet. You will receive this from the Huffines counselors early in the Spring semester.
Attend one of our instrument drives in February to find out the best instrument for you!
Acquire an instrument and ROCK ON! For more information on instrument acquisition, please click Instrument Rental.
DO SHORT PEOPLE PLAY SMALL INSTRUMENTS,
AND TALL PEOPLE PLAY BIG INSTRUMENTS?
Not at all! Just like shoes, instruments come in different sizes to accommodate different people. Whichever instrument you choose to play will "grow with you" (as you get taller you will get a bigger size of your instrument). Mr. De leon is a whopping 5' 6" and plays the two largest instruments in orchestra: cello and bass! Mr. Greenwood (LHS Assistant Orchestra Director) is 6' 2" and he plays the two smallest instruments in the orchestra: violin and viola! Your height and weight play no factor in what instrument you can or cannot play!
CAN I WAIT UNTIL 7TH OR 8TH GRADE TO JOIN ORCHESTRA?
Yes, however, we HIGHLY recommend starting in 6th grade. The sooner you learn the violin, viola, cello, or bass, the better you will be in the future! Students who start later in middle school are placed in beginner classes and are always a year behind their peers.
ARE PRIVATE LESSONS WORTH IT?
As you will be part of an orchestra class, it is impossible for the teachers to give students one-on-one instruction and guidance for an extended period of time. Private lessons enable students to "fast forward" the learning process and engage in advanced techniques earlier than their peers.
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Having been a student and teacher in private lessons, Mr. De leon HIGHLY recommends students enroll in private lessons.