Violin Lessons at Mason Elementary School 2025 – 2026
Dear Parents / Guardians of 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Students,
Each year, your children play classroom instruments, including recorders and ukuleles. Students from 4th and 5th (and possibly 3rd) grades are also invited to study violin!
Violin lessons will be after school on Wednesdays, ending at 4:30, starting September 10, 2025.
Besides learning to play the instrument, participants learn the basic skills of playing in an ensemble, allowing them to continue playing in a string group or to switch more easily to a traditional band instrument when they leave Mason Elementary School. As soon as a student can play any of the parts in Mariachi Band on the violin, they can use the violin in Mariachi Band, while continuing to study violin playing.
If your child does not already have a violin, you can purchase or rent an instrument. A local Mason resident who helped with violin lessons three years ago, Levi Maxwell (603-400-7149), has instruments available for purchase. The school has also arranged for students to rent violins from Music & Arts in Manchester, NH. The rental instruments are delivered to the school unless you pick up the instrument early. If you would like to take advantage of this service, this is their website: https://www.musicarts.com/rentals The website also lists an optional shoulder rest and music stand.
We will be using the Violin 1 book from Strings Fun and Easy, and the cost of the book is $15.00. You can order the book online (stringsfunandeasy.com) or make out a check to the school for that amount, and we will place a group order. The CD that is offered at no additional charge is very helpful. We will also use additional resources as soon as students need more challenging music!
Please note: The school wants to make sure that the cost of renting an instrument or purchasing the book is not preventing any students from participating. If your family’s financial circumstances may prevent your child’s participation, please write a note on the bottom/back of this form; we will try to accommodate your need.
Participation in any artistic pursuit requires commitment – attending rehearsals, paying attention, and doing one’s best. If your child is committed to playing in the violin ensemble, your child will learn to play. Such a commitment takes time. Children who sign up for violin are expected to continue for the full school year. Of course, if you have a concern about your child’s participation at any time, please let me know.
If your child plans to take violin lessons, please fill out the following form to indicate your shared commitment to the program, and return it as soon as possible.
Thank you, Mrs. Smith, Music Teacher dprincesmith@sau89.nh.gov.