Orchestra
By Jieun and Nathan
Are you ever inspired by the way string instruments are played? Here at Richards School, we get to play string instruments in our orchestra program. Our orchestra teacher, Mr. Brodie, teaches violin, viola, and cello to fourth and fifth grade students. The fifth graders can also play the bass.
In orchestra, we learn what fingers or finger you put down on strings to make certain notes. Based on what you know about notes, it helps you read music. Such as what notes look like, flats and sharps, which make notes higher or lower. Also what flats and sharps look like on a music staff. Another concept we learn is how long to hold a particular note. For example, a whole note is hold for four beats. When we’ve learned all our notes and fingers, we do finger patterns, exercises, and boxes. Boxes are when there are eight boxes and you pick one note to play from each box. There are usually three notes in each box.
Some fun reasons you should do orchestra are that you get to be part of a concert with your friends. It also makes you proud that you can play an instrument. Best of all, it’s a fun experience to play with your fellow students.
We are fortunate to have such a fantastic orchestra teacher and program. Orchestra is a special opportunity for schools to have because you can learn to how to play an instrument!
