SoundPoint Strings

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Orchestras and Classes

Advanced Orchestra
Students playing in blue shirts

Advanced Orchestra performing in concert

Advanced Orchestra involves students with previous ensemble experience, and lifts their sights to new levels of possibility in playing together.  Mr. Jeremy Francisco is quick to give the students individual responsibility for group success, guiding them to listen ever more closely to each other, to lead from any chair, to be responsible to prepare and understand the music in order to raise the level of musicianship for the whole orchestra.  This orchestra explores the works of the great Classical masters.
 
 
String players in performance

Violinists in performance

Intermediate Orchestra
2 boys playing cello

Members of the
Intermediate Orchestra

Led by Mrs. Tami King, Intermediate Orchestra introduces young string players to ensemble playing.  The energetic rehearsals are the perfect platform for learning to follow a conductor, listen to others’ parts, follow cues for tempo, dynamics and style, and keep pace with a group.  Students learn rehearsal etiquette, the value of contribution, and the joy of performance.

Young string players

Intermediate Orchestra in rehearsal

Chamber Music Experience
String Quartet

One-on-a-part ensemble coachings and rehearsals, with additional deep-dive Workshop Intensives in a variety of subjects, starting with How Chamber Music Communicates. In two 6-week sessions per semester, students experience two different ensembles and a variety of coaches.

 

String Quartet
Early Readers and Training Orchestra
2 boys reading music

Early Readers using their music reading skills

Early Readers helps students solidify the skill of reading music, and adds the layer of reading in real time with others.  Ms. Erica Robinson guides young readers through the process of learning to play new music at sight, together with others.  Mr. Cameron Wilcox takes the students to the next level with the Training Orchestra.  Now students are not only reading, they’re reading more than one part at a time, and learning the rudimentary skills of ensemble playing.

Teacher and children playing violin

Reading music, a most valuable accomplishment.

Suzuki Group Class
three children playing violins

Group classes for the youngest musicians

Based on the fundamental philosophy and the internationally recognized repertoire of Shinichi Suzuki, our Suzuki Group Class blends individual and unified playing. Mrs. Janelle Byrkit guides students in the fun and satisfaction of shared music-making with pieces the students have learned in their private lessons. Following instructions, being the leader, listening, cueing, and being creative while playing are some of the many benefits learned in Suzuki Group Class.

 

 
Two children learning violin

Learning in Suzuki Group Class

Music and Motion

Children and Teacher playing game

Rhythm Games

Many musical skills can be learned away from the instrument, and this class puts music into the body!  Stepping in tempo and style, clapping rhythms, singing, conducting, listening, call and response, passing a pattern in tempo or identifying changes in what you hear. . . these games and more enhance the music-learning without instruments (or sometimes with!).   Ms. Gabby Schlueter guides this class – giggles are frequent as we have fun exploring music together!  Parents–you can do this WITH your child!
 

 

children marching in music game

Music and Motion helps instill basic musical rhythm

Music Theory
Music theory students and teacher

Dr. Ashton teaching SPS Music Theory 2 students

As grammar and language arts help us understand our spoken language, so music theory gives students a better understanding of the inner workings of music.  Dr. Bruce Ashton, Mrs. Ellen Francisco and Mr. Robby Raney  take SoundPoint students through explorations into the structure and language of music.  Three levels provide foundation and challenge for young musicians. 

Students and teacher at the piano.

Mrs. Francisco helps Music Theory 1 students learn about scales and modes in music.

Parents' Circle
Ladies seated in a circle talking

Parents exchanging ideas

We at SoundPoint Strings believe strongly in the value of the home, and the parents’ involvement in raising children.  We believe that music is very important for children to experience, but its true value and power are magnified when parents are involved.  Many parents don’t have a model for parental involvement in music beyond paying for lessons and pushing the child to practice, so these sessions give us a venue to discuss our role, special issues involved with rearing musical children. and how incredibly valuable it is to the child’s growth and the family’s stability

muffins and tea

We are parent friendly