Elementary Strings Registration 2020-2021 has closed. To request a late registration exception, email ES Coordinator Annissa Bolder (annissabolder@gmail.com) El registro de Cuerdas Elementales ha cerrado. Para solicitar una excepción de registro tardío, envíe un correo electrónico al Coordinador de ES, Annissa Bolder (annissabolder@gmail.com)
ES Kick-Off Night: Wednesday, September 30 from 7-8:30pm Typically, ES Kick-Off occurs at the end of September and provides information about the ES program and instrument rental from Windsmith Music. This year (2020), we will have a Zoom Orientation meeting on Wednesday, September 30 (7-8:30pm) to share information about the ES program!
If you missed this meeting, you can watch the video of the meeting at the video below. You can see the ES Zoom Meeting Agenda and Program Info shared in the meeting here in ENGLISH or SPANISH.
For instrument rental and music book pick-up, contact Windsmith Music Rentals directly. Instrument options for our program are Violin, Viola, or Cello.
Elementary Strings 2020-2021: Update Due to the challenges presented by Covid-19, the 2020-2021 season will look quite a bit different from past seasons. During the first semester (October-January), Elementary Strings will operate as an online program, including exciting online synchronous classes and individual lessons on Zoom. Classes will be capped at 12 students/class, first-come first-served. Class times will be determined by teacher/student availability.
We hope to return to in-person classes in February 2021, but will make all decisions based on Oregon Health Authority and CDC guidelines. Previously, classes took place at each elementary school. If any in-person classes return this season, classes will take place at local churches and community centers; there will be no in-person classes held at the schools this year. Thank you for your patience as we all navigate these challenging times together!
To meet the Elementary Strings Teachers and learn more about each instrument, check out this video!:
ES Program Overview The Corvallis Youth Symphony Association provides direction and support for Elementary Strings (ES), Levels 1, 2, and 2 Advanced. All public, private, and homeschooled students in 3rd-5th grades are invited to enroll in Elementary Strings classes. Students can choose from learning Violin, Viola, or Cello.
Music educators agree on the importance of cultivating young string musicians at an early age. Playing an instrument increases reasoning skills and builds teamwork, discipline, cooperation, and a sense of belonging. Learning to make music encourages creativity. More importantly, it’s just plain fun!
Lessons and Performances Classes begin the week of October 5 and run through May. Strings instruction for Levels 1, 2, and 2 Advanced will consist of one 30-minute synchronous class on Zoom, one 15-minute private lesson on Zoom, and practice and homework assignments, every week.
If classes return to in-person instruction in February 2021, they will consist of one 45-minute in-person class/week (at a local church/community center) plus synchronous/private instruction on Zoom once/week.
There are two Elementary Strings Concerts per season:
Saturday, January 30, 2021: Online presentation
Saturday, May 29, 2021:Location TBD
Payment Plans Tuition payments may be made in full ($420), or as eight monthly payments of $60. The monthly payment plan costs more to cover the extra labor involved in collecting tuition. If possible, please pay in full.
Instruments can be rented and music books picked up from Windsmith Music. The cost of instrument rental is not included in ES program fees.
We want all students to participate in Elementary Strings regardless of financial considerations. Questions about need-based financial aid should be emailed to cysassoc@peak.org or you may call (541) 766-4903 for more information.
To ensure that all students can participate in this enrichment activity, we welcome tax-deductible donations from our Elementary Strings parents. The Corvallis Youth Symphony Association is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.
Refund Policy After you have paid 3 months’ tuition (through December), you may drop out of ES with 1-month notice to our office by the 5th day of the prior month. Inorder to stop the monthly debit payments you must contact the Elementary Strings office by phone (541-766-4903) or email (cysassoc@peak.org) by the 5th day of the month prior to when you want to quit.
2020-2021 Elementary Strings Staff
Annissa Bolder, ES Coordinator, Encore! Director
Anne Ridlington, ES Teacher
Bettine Rehr-Zimmermann, ES Teacher
Ella Jones, ES Teacher
Jana Wells, ES Teacher
Jayanthi Joseph, ES Teacher
Julie Davis, ES Assistant Teacher
Encore!
Encore! 2019 performance at Crescent Valley High School
Encore! is the honors Elementary Strings orchestra for Level 2/2+ students who seek more of a challenge. Students who attend Corvallis public schools must also be members of an ES class to participate in Encore!. Homeschooled and private school students are welcomed to join Encore! if they are recommended by their music teacher. Rehearsals begin after Spring Break, and culminates in a performance at the final ES concert (May 29). Encore! is conducted by Annissa Bolder.
Encore! 2021 will only take place if in-person classes/ensembles resume in 2021.
Contact us For more information, please email us at cysassoc@peak.org or call us at 541-766-4903.