Dow Street Orchestras

The Prelude Orchestra is a supplemental group class for students taking weekly private lessons; students should be playing repertoire comparable with the middle of Suzuki Book 1 through early Book 2 for their instrument.  Together, participants will learn how to perform as a group with simple dynamic contrast (i.e. forte, piano, crescendo, diminuendo), culminating in a performance at the end of each semester.

Mondays 5:10 – 6:00

Laura Shaw, Instructor

Start Date: August 17

Tuition: $180 per semester (Need-based financial aid is available by application).

Audition Prerequisites:

• Holding violin/viola correctly with violin resting on collarbone, head resting on the chin rest, instrument parallel to the floor. Cellists and bassists should be able to hold instruments correctly with good posture. 
• Ability to play in all parts of the bow (tip, middle, frog)
• Loose left hand and relaxed thumb
• Know all note names in first position
• Understand and be able to clap basic rhythms (eighth notes, quarter notes, half notes, whole notes)

Audition Requirements: 

• Prepared solo from at least mid-Suzuki Book 1 (or equivalent)
• Scales: 1 octave D scale, ascending and descending   

Intermezzo is a supplemental group class for students taking private lessons through the DSCMS or other private teacher who have mastered the skills learned in the Prelude orchestra. Intermezzo orchestra is for students who have completed repertoire equivalent to Suzuki Book 1 and early Suzuki Book 2.. The Intermezzo Orchestra focuses on building students’ emerging music-reading skills in a string orchestra environment. Students will play pieces in various keys and styles and learn ensemble skills such as playing in multiple parts, playing more difficult rhythms, and enhancing dynamics with both right and left hand techniques.

Thursdays 5:00 – 5:50

Susan Mullen, Instructor

Start Date: August 27

Tuition: $180 per semester (Need-based financial aid is available by application).

Audition Prerequisites:

• Mastery of all audition prerequisites listed for Prelude Orchestra
• Understanding of dynamics
• Ability to sight-read basic rhythms in 1st position (eighth notes, quarter notes, half notes, whole notes, rests)

Audition Requirements: 

• A prepared solo from 2nd half of Suzuki Book 1 or equivalent
• Scales:
  • Violin: 1 octave C scale, 2 octave G scale
  • Viola: 1 octave G scale, 2 octave C scale
  • Cello: 1 octave G scale, 2 octave C scale
  • Bass: 1 octave C scale. 

Capriccio is a supplemental group class for students taking private lessons through the DSCMS or other private teacher who have mastered the skills learned in the Intermezzo orchestra. This orchestra is for students who play at the level of Suzuki Books 2 and 3. In this ensemble, students will learn how to watch a conductor, watch their section leaders for bow direction and bow placement, sit with a stand partner and blend their sound with a section, count multiple rests, listen to fellow orchestra members in other sections, and much more. 

Tuesdays: 5:10 – 6:10

Allison Cowan, Instructor

Start Date: August 25

Tuition: $200 per semester (Need-based financial aid is available by application).

Audition Prerequisites:

• Mastery of all audition prerequisites listed for Intermezzo Orchestra
• A developing vibrato on all fingers
• Students are prepared to learn introductory shifting during the year (basses should already have shifting skills up to the E on the G string)
• Student can sight-read in first position (Suzuki Book 1 level)
• Good understanding of playing in all parts of the bow (tip, frog, and middle)

Audition Requirements: 

• A prepared solo (Level Book 2 or 3 Suzuki or equivalent)
• 2 Major Scales:
  • Violin:  2 octave A and Bb major 
  • Viola: 2 octave C and D major
  • Cello:2 octave C and D major

Bass: 2 octave E scale

The Sinfonia Orchestra is an ensemble for students who have mastered the skills learned in the Capriccio Orchestra. Students in this ensemble will  perform challenging pieces of different musical styles and wide dynamic ranges.  The repertoire of the Sinfonia Orchestra will include more advanced orchestral techniques such as trills, double stops, clean passagework (16th notes), and comfort playing and shifting in 1st through 5th positions.   

Thursdays 6:10 – 7:25

Susan Mullen, Instructor

Start Date: August 27

Tuition is $220 per semester.  (Need-based financial aid is available by application).

Audition Prerequisites:

• Mastery of all audition prerequisites listed for Capriccio Orchestra
• Comfortable, well-developed vibrato
• Comfort playing in first through fifth positions.
• Violists should be able to play in alto and treble clef
• Cellists should have some experience playing in tenor clef
• Developed concept of style and articulation
• Developed sense of tone and bow control

         Audition Requirements:

• Prepared solo: 1 – 2 minutes
• Scales:
  • Violin: 2 octave F scale, 3 octave G scale
  • Viola: 2 octave A scale, 3 octave C scale
  • Cello: 2 octave F scale, 3 octave C scale
  • Bass: 2 octave F and G major

Sight-reading: Students will be asked to play a sight-reading excerpt, Level 3 Sightreading Factory.