As Fine, Applied, and Performing Arts Educators, it is our mission to inspire and guide every student to be active participants in the Arts through the use of a sequential, academic, and creative curriculum that nurtures the human spirit and promotes cultural relevance.

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Hey everyone! It's been great to see all of our returning string players this year, and I'm excited to get started playing!

See the schedule below for September's orchestra days:

WMS Orchestras:

• 6th Grade Orchestra meets on WIN A days
• Week of October 7 - T/Th
• Week of October 14 - T/Th*** (this is a switch!)
• Week of October 21 - M/W/F
• 7/8th Grade Orchestra meets on WIN B days
• Week of October 7 - M/W/F
• Week of October 14 - W/F*** (this is a switch!)
• Week of October 21 - T/Th

Students should have the following materials for class...

• Instrument (students will need instruments this week)
• Pencil
• Binder
• Music
• Chromebook

Practice Club

Open practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:15 - 3:00. This club is free to be a part of. Players can attend as often as they like to get extra help, play with friends, or get extra help.

Cellos & Basses

Cello and bass players are able to leave their instruments at home for practice and use a school instrument in class.

• Achieve quality tone with straight bow strokes, demonstrating consistent bow speed and weight
• Achieve quality intonation by using the correct whole step and half step patterns for the given key signature
• Shift appropriately into third position (violin/viola) or fourth position (cello) or through multiple positions (bass) to accomplish their two octave D scale (violins) or G scale (viola, cello, bass)
• Use appropriate extensions for the lower octave of the D scale (viola/cello)
• Achieve quality intonation in new positions and with new extended finger patterns
• Recognition of key signatures ranging from two sharps to zero sharps
• Recognition of time signatures in 3/4 and 4/4
• Sightread songs in D and G major with quarter and half note rhythms
• Actively work together in their small chamber groups to start learning their January recital piece

• Achieve quality tone with straight bow strokes, demonstrating consistent bow speed and weight
• Achieve quality intonation in D and G major by using the correct whole step and half step patterns for the given key signature
• Sightread notes on the staff on their D and A strings
• Sightread rhythm lines consisting of quarter and half notes
• Actively work together in their small chamber groups to start learning their January recital piece

In recent years, the orchestra program in Watertown has seen an immense amount of growth. In the 2018 - 2019 school year, we had approximately 70 students in the program from grades 4 - 12, and this year we are sitting at 235 students! Each year we consistently have strong beginning groups and retention sits between 80 - 85% from grade to grade. This is truly incredible and is due in large part to accessibility thanks to:

• Support to hold instrument lessons during the school day so that all students can attend (not just those who have access to before or after school transportation)
  
  
• Financial support from the district and our parent organization, Friends of Watertown Music, for instrument purchase and repair so that we can provide school instruments for students who otherwise could not afford to rent or purchase one

It is not common for all students to be so welcome in an instrumental program, and I am always grateful that we have such a supported and appreciated program here in Watertown.

Recently, through district funding, a grant awarded to the Friends of Watertown Music, and funding from the Friends directly, we were able to obtain 18 brand new full size violins. Over the course of the last few years, they've also helped to bolster our supply of cellos, 1/8th size basses for our elementary students, and are working on helping us get a few new violas for our older students as well! We have distributed these new instruments to our older students who are ready to step into the full size, while leaving their smaller sizes open for more of our beginning students.

If you're interested in learning more about or being a part of this amazing group of parent supporters, reach out to them at hellowatertownmusic@gmail.com.

Please note some important expectations as we enter into the new school year:

• Students need to be in class/on stage no later than 1:35
• The bell rings at 1:33, so this is adding a couple of minutes on for students on the other end of the building
• Students need to join our Google Classroom
• The code can be found in the handbook or here:
• 6th grade: nk6qird
• 7th/8th grade: md5uurk
• We will have periodic assignments beyond playing checks in class. These will be in Google Classroom. Students will need to join the classroom to complete the assignments.
• Chamber Music
• We will be starting chamber music the week of October 7th!
• Students will work in small, self-directed and self-selected groups to learn a piece (of their choosing or assigned by the teacher)
• Each week, or on a bi-weekly basis, students will be assessed on one aspect of their playing during chamber music practice time:
• Bow technique
• Rhythmic accuracy
• Intonation
• Ensemble playing
• Students will perform their chamber music piece at our recital in January
• Quick Assignments in Google Classroom
• Students should have notifications for Google Classroom turned on for assignment notifications
• We'll talk about assignments in class, but always good to have an extra notification
• Most assignments will be under 15 mins to complete
• Practicing
• Ideally, students are practicing 3 - 4 times a week for 20 - 30 minutes each time
• If students cannot meet practice expectations, they can attend practice club on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:15 - 3:00. They can then go to the learning lab to work on homework if they need to take the late bus at 3:45 (runs every day)

Official bio coming soon! Ms. Burtman is our new co-teacher at the middle school! Ms. Burtman is an accomplished bass player with degrees in music education and bass performance. We are so excited to have her with us!

Orchestra meets for about 45 minutes every other day.On weeks when class falls on Monday/Wednesday, students are also scheduled to come to orchestra on Friday.

Sometimes, students may get signed out to make up a test or work for another teacher. These are "FLEX" blocks. They only occur on Friday and are the only day students get signed out for other classes.

The teacher must sign them out in order for them to be dismissed to that FLEX block (Ms. Byham cannot do this). Students will go to advisory first to be told if they are signed out for another teacher. If they are told to come to orchestra, they should come to orchestra. Without notification by the FLEX Friday spreadsheet (filled out by the teachers), my assumption is that the student is actively "skipping" class.

I will add links to specific events and lessons to the newsletters; however, in order to add these to your personal calendar, you must subscribe to the FAPA calendar (linked above). You can hide the FAPA calendar so your personal cal is not clogged by superfluous events, while only adding the orchestra events to your cal when the links are shared in the newsletters. Let me know if you have any questions about this!

Merry Mingle - Sunday, December 1 (Optional)

• Click to add to calendar
• Time TBA
• Perform holiday carols
  
  

WHS Winter Concert - Thursday, December 19th

• Click to add to calendar
• Time: 7 - 9 pm
• Location: WMS Gymnasium
• All performance ensembles at WHS
• Not required; some students may want to learn the HS music as an added challenge
  
  

7th & 8th Grade Winter Recital - Thursday, January 16, 2025

• Click to add to calendar
• Time: 6 - 8 PM (timeframe, official time TBA)
• Location: WMS Auditorium
• Required for 7th and 8th grade students

6th Grade Winter Recital - Thursday, January 23, 2025

• Click to add to calendar
• Time: 6 - 8 PM (timeframe, official time TBA)
• Location: WMS Auditorium

• Required for 6th grade students
  
  

Jr District Auditions - Saturday, February 1, 2025 (optional)

• Time: Watertown typically auditions around 1PM, but we can request an earlier time if needed
  
• Anticipate being there for at least 2 hours
• Bedford High School
• Please reach out ASAP if your child is interested in participating
  
  

Jr Districts - Friday, March 7 & Saturday, March 8, 2025 (if accepted)

• All Day Friday rehearsal (9 - 5)
• AM rehearsal Saturday with concert in the afternoon
• Lincoln-Sudbury HS
  
  

String Spectacular - Thursday, March 13 (required)

• Click to add to calendar
• Dress rehearsal in the afternoon
• Concert 7:00 - 8:00 PM
• All students grades 4 - 12
• WMS Gymnasium

• Click to add to calendar
• All day
• Open to all students in 7/8 Performing Arts Ensembles (+Jazz band members)

WMS & WHS Combined Spring Orchestra Concert (required) - Thursday, May 22, 2024

• Click to add to calendar
• Dress rehearsal 5:30 PM
• Concert 7 - 8 PM
  
  

Graduation (8 - 11th grade): Usually first Friday in June

• Arrive 5:30
• Graduation 6 - 7pm

Students interested in the MMEA junior district program should reach out to Ms. Byham individually. Thanks! For reference, here is the eastern district resource page to find the scales, sight reading, and audition piece.

Music instruction is at its best when it centers the student’s voice, thereby increasing student leadership and a sense of ownership of their education. Side-by-Side does this by placing young people alongside established musicians in a collaborative learning environment where they are viewed as equal contributors. They get to be teachers and students, speakers and listeners, at the same time.

Honoring process over product, Longy’s Side-by-Side Program follows an apprenticeship model centered on access, inclusion, and equity; throughout the year, students might lead a piece, run a rehearsal, or compose music for a performance. Along the way, they are empowered to view themselves as equals in music-making without the stress of being “good” enough. Open to all music students (grades K-12) of any skill level, this program invites participants to play alongside Longy conservatory students and guest musicians. Learning side-by-side—with each other and from each other.

Check out more information HERE

MATERIALS FOR STRING LESSONS:

Most music shops will carry these items, or you can order online.

Here's an Amazon list with the items listed

You can also check out Shar Music for these items

• Instrument
• Cellos: Button stop or strap (button/rock stop is more versatile)
• Violin/Viola: Shoulder rest (3/4 - 4/4 violin or 15 - 16" viola only)
• Music stand (for home practice)
• Extra rosin
• Extra strings (Prelude is a great quality brand at a reasonable cost)
• Pencil
• Binder (we have ordered binders to hand out)

Check out our new website!

CLICK ME :)

• Class schedules
• Lesson make-up days
• Videos and photos from concerts
• Sign up for the program
• Rental information
• Lessons, camps, and more
• Information for band and orchestra students

Mostly loaded with elementary information right now, but will be adding more resources for 6 - 12 students soon!

As our upper string (viola/violin) players start to move up into the full-size instruments, they should be looking into getting a shoulder rest. These are items that hook onto the lower bout of the instrument to help players support the instrument in their shoulder vs. with their arm and hand, allowing for more flexible motion in the wrist and fingers. You can get them for any size instrument, but they typically make adjustable sizes for 3/4 - 4/4 violins and 15 - 16" violas. All upper-string players should be using a shoulder rest by the time they get to the full-size violin (4/4) or 15" viola to help with posture and avoid back/neck pain.

I recommend Everest (pictured) or Kun (both under or very close to $30), but there are many options. Let me know if you have any questions!

Being near the city we have lots of amazing orchestras performing all of the time! These groups are made up of community members; all musicians, but not all musicians in a professional sense. It's always amazing to see the Boston Symphony, but our local groups showcase how we can continue being musicians as a hobby throughout our lives, while still working in our chosen fields.

• Firebird Pops (all pops, all the time!): Keep an eye out for upcoming events
• Kendall Square Orchestra: Sat, Oct 12 @ 7:30/Sanders Theatre, Cambridge, MA
• Brookline Symphony: Sat, Oct 19 @ 8PM/Driscoll School, Brookline, MA
• Longwood Symphony: Sat, Oct 19 @ 8PM/Jordan Hall, Boston, MA
• Waltham Philharmonic: Sun, Oct 27 @ 3PM/Waltham Gov't Center, Waltham, MA
• Boston Civic Symphony: Sun, Nov 10 @ 3PM/Jordan Hall, Boston, MA
• Rivers Symphony Orchestra: Sun, Nov 10 @ 3PM/Needham Town Hall
• Lexington Symphony: Sat, Nov 23 @ 7:30 PM/Cary Hall, Lexington, MA

If your child is really enjoying playing their instrument and wants some additional play and instruction time outside of the school day, we recommend looking to private or small group lessons.

Here is a link to private teachers in the area

You can also check out Attacca School of Music in Belmont (at the Trapelo/Bartlett intersection near CVS) or Powers Music School in Belmont (on Concord Street near Belmont Center). New England Conservatory runs a youth orchestra and prep program, as does the Rivers School - Rivers Youth Orchestra program.

Friends of Watertown Music

The Friends of Watertown Music is a parent organization that has been a major supporter of the fine arts program in Watertown for over ten years. FoWM is beginning to plan for our first MusicFest since 2019 and invites all parents who would like to help in any way. Email HelloWatertownMusic@gmail.com or call Chris Lowry at 617-923-0502 to learn more.

Practicing

We recommend students play their instrument 3+ times a week for at least 10 - 15 minutes each time to build muscle memory and reinforce habits taught in lessons. You can see what we worked on in lessons and what students should be practicing by clicking the button below.

Note Reading Game

• Staff Wars is an interactive app-based game to help students learn how to read the notes on their staff. It is $0.99. Absolutely not required, but a fun learning tool if interested.
• Apple devices
• Android devices

Helpful Links and Resources

• Tuning your instrument at home: follow this YouTube tutorial
• Here is a tutorial on how to hold the bow
  
• Here is a list of private teachers in the area
  
• Rhythm Packet #1
• Rhythm Packet #2
• Sight Singing Packet #1
• Sight Singing Packet #2
• Ms. Byham's favorite metronome app for iPhone
• Ms. Byham's favorite metronome app for Android

Culley Byham (rhymes with Sulley) is our string and orchestra teacher from grades 4 - 12 in Watertown. She grew up in Pennsylvania and began playing the viola in the third grade. She played in school and youth orchestras through elementary, middle, and high school before attending Penn State to study Music Education. Ms. Byham taught middle school music and orchestra in South Carolina for five years before moving to Watertown, where she is now in her eleventh year of teaching music.

In addition to teaching, Ms. Byham has continued playing viola in community orchestras. She is currently a member of the Brookline Symphony here in the Boston area. She also enjoys taking long bike rides, walking her dog, hiking, and practicing photography.

Her absolute favorite thing about teaching string and orchestra classes is watching her students go from having no idea about the instrument, to being able to play with ease and confidence. She loves that she gets to work with the students for so long, seeing them grow and learn over the course of many years, making friends, and building community along the way.

Our string program in Watertown is open to all students in grades 4 - 12. Though we begin our program in the fourth grade, students can join in at any level - it's never too late! It is not necessary for students to know anything about music or playing an instrument in order to sign up, we'll teach them everything they need to know.

Check us out on Instagram: @watertownorchestras