CCSD15 Band & Orchestra Instruments

Orchestra: String Instruments

• Cello
• String Bass
• Viola
• Violin

Students who select percussion are learning the entire percussion family starting with bells and snare drum

1. Violin
2. Viola
3. Cello
4. String Bass

String Instrument Sizing:

String instruments come in different sizes which are typically listed as a fraction though sometimes you may see them listed in inches (ex: ¾ or 13”).

If your student tried a string instrument on their interview form, a size will be listed along with the instrument. This size is just our best estimate at this time based on our experience with how students grow over the summer. Therefore, we recommend you bring your student to the music store to pick up the instrument in the fall so the store can double-check the sizing (we will do this at school as well, but if the store double-checks the sizing, it may save you a trip back to the music store).

Students may be in a size for a year or two, or they may change several sizes in a year depending on how they grow. Violin students frequently get to a full-size instrument by middle school, but for the larger instruments, most students won’t get to a full-size instrument until high school.

If you rent an instrument, you will need to bring it back to the store, and they swap out the size as needed. This is usually not an option with an instrument you buy.

Also, it is very important for your student to have the correct size instrument. A good analogy is sending your student to play soccer in their dad’s soccer shoes… they might be able to play, but they may get injured or play poorly.