Young People's Orchestra 2025-2026
When I was a kid, I loved my strings class. Starting in 4th Grade, I received in-school violin instruction a couple of times a week. Throughout the year, my teachers organized festivals where many students got together to play music. I loved all of that time and it certainly kept me interested in music and developed my musicianship at the same time.
Now I want to pass along that love of orchestra to students in the Fryeburg, Maine area. 2025-2026 is the second year of our Young People's Orchestra open to string players, piano players, and children interested in playing rhythm instruments. This experience will be suited to beginning string players and others ages about 5 to about 12. No experience is necessary. Children will be guided to instruments according to their current level of accomplishment on stringed instruments, and keyboard instruments. Those children with no experience will get to try out a little keyboard, and a little violin, and will play lots of percussion instruments.
Place: The Young People's Orchestra will rehearse at Fryeburg New Church, 12 Oxford Street, Fryeburg Maine.
Times: Saturdays 1:30-3:00 PM. We'll begin all together by learning to sing one of our songs. Then pianists and percussionists will work with Becky Riley, my excellent piano-teacher colleague while I work with the string players. We'll have a snack, then reconvene to create an instrumental version of our song. We'll gradually build up our repertoire until we're ready to perform in March.
Dates: The orchestra will rehearse about every 3rd Saturday. These are the dates: October 11, November 1 & 22, December 6, January 10 & 24; February 7 & 28; Performance March 14
Cost: This is a pay-what-feels-right ensemble. We will have 8 rehearsals and a concert. Suggested payment is $75, but don't let funds keep you away. I really want to pass on my own love of orchestra culture, so please consider what is affordable for you and what you want to pay.
How can parents help? We will need help! You can help by providing snack one week, by participating in the rhythm part of the rehearsal when everybody is playing, or by helping each other entertain those kids who need to wait for their turn to rehearse.
Teen helpers are welcome. I've often welcomed young teens to events like this to act as helpers and get a taste of teaching. It can be a really fun thing to do.
Please call or e-mail me to sign up. My phone number is 603-307-0825. My e-mail is ellen.m.schwindt@gmail.com .
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