Remote Learning Plans - 6th Grade Orchestra
Remote Plan for May 25
Belts
This is your week to catch up on any belts that you haven’t played yet! Click here for the sheet music. Click here to submit your belt videos on flipgrid. See this list for all of the belts and there is a past belt topic on flipgrid where you may submit them to catch up on any from earlier in the year before the eLearning began. All belts need to be completed by Friday, May 29th. If you have completed your belts, look for an email in the next week with details regarding how students will be receiving their belts and ice cream reward!
Summer Fun Tunes
Checkout these tunes for some summer fun!
Summer Lessons
Unfortunately we will not be able to run our popular Summer Lesson Buddy program this summer. However, most of our private lesson teachers are available to teach virtual lessons! Lessons are a terrific way to keep up your skills for orchestra and have fun over the summer. Click here for a list of teachers!
Belts
This is your week to catch up on any belts that you haven’t played yet! Click here for the sheet music. Click here to submit your belt videos on flipgrid. See this list for all of the belts and there is a past belt topic on flipgrid where you may submit them to catch up on any from earlier in the year before the eLearning began. All belts need to be completed by Friday, May 29th. If you have completed your belts, look for an email in the next week with details regarding how students will be receiving their belts and ice cream reward!
Summer Fun Tunes
Checkout these tunes for some summer fun!
Summer Lessons
Unfortunately we will not be able to run our popular Summer Lesson Buddy program this summer. However, most of our private lesson teachers are available to teach virtual lessons! Lessons are a terrific way to keep up your skills for orchestra and have fun over the summer. Click here for a list of teachers!
Remote Plan for May 18
Black Belts
This week is our final belt, the long awaited Black Belt! Click here for your Black Belt music. Click here to submit your belt video on flipgrid. There is also a video on flipgrid for each belt with tips and a recording of us playing it. See this list if you need to play any other belts and there is a past belt topic on flipgrid where you may submit them.
Orchestra Ice Cream BlackBelt Reward!
Once we know more about the last week of school, we will have details regarding students receiving their belts and ice cream reward
Summer Lessons
Unfortunately we will not be able to run our popular Summer Lesson Buddy program this summer. However, most of our private lesson teachers are available to teach virtual lessons! Lessons are a terrific way to keep up your skills for orchestra and have fun over the summer. Click here for a list of teachers!
Check out this recording of Bolero that the New York Philharmonic made as a tribute to healthcare workers!
Black Belts
This week is our final belt, the long awaited Black Belt! Click here for your Black Belt music. Click here to submit your belt video on flipgrid. There is also a video on flipgrid for each belt with tips and a recording of us playing it. See this list if you need to play any other belts and there is a past belt topic on flipgrid where you may submit them.
Orchestra Ice Cream BlackBelt Reward!
Once we know more about the last week of school, we will have details regarding students receiving their belts and ice cream reward
Summer Lessons
Unfortunately we will not be able to run our popular Summer Lesson Buddy program this summer. However, most of our private lesson teachers are available to teach virtual lessons! Lessons are a terrific way to keep up your skills for orchestra and have fun over the summer. Click here for a list of teachers!
Check out this recording of Bolero that the New York Philharmonic made as a tribute to healthcare workers!
Remote Plan for May 11
Orchestra Belts
Click here for your Glitter Belt music for this week. Next week is Black Belt! Click here to submit your belt video on flipgrid. There is also a video on flipgrid for each belt with tips and a recording of us playing it and some tips to help you practice. If you need help with flipgrid, click here.
Vibrato Videos!
If you want to continue some vibrato exercises that we started in March, check out these videos.
Violin and Viola Vibrato Video and Cello and Bass Vibrato Video
Check out this video of famous violinist Sarah Chang. She will be performing coming to Grand Rapids in September to play with the Grand Rapids Symphony! And here is a recording of a beautiful viola sonata!
Orchestra Belts
Click here for your Glitter Belt music for this week. Next week is Black Belt! Click here to submit your belt video on flipgrid. There is also a video on flipgrid for each belt with tips and a recording of us playing it and some tips to help you practice. If you need help with flipgrid, click here.
Vibrato Videos!
If you want to continue some vibrato exercises that we started in March, check out these videos.
Violin and Viola Vibrato Video and Cello and Bass Vibrato Video
Check out this video of famous violinist Sarah Chang. She will be performing coming to Grand Rapids in September to play with the Grand Rapids Symphony! And here is a recording of a beautiful viola sonata!
Remote Plan for May 4
We hope you are well and enjoying the nice weather! Again, please do what works for your family during this time.
Fun on Zoom
We are going to have an optional zoom this Tuesday at 2:00pm to play our instruments together and play a fun game! Come if you can! Email us if you need help tuning.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85218597609?pwd=ZkFHVVQ5cG9aUGNRWVJyUWF3Y293UT09
Meeting ID: 852 1859 7609
Password: 5Dfjx6
Orchestra Belts
Good news - we will have an ice cream reward for anyone who earns their belts! Details to come. Only 3 more belts to go! Click here for your Gold Belt music for this week. Click here to submit your belt video on flipgrid. There is also a video on flipgrid for each belt with tips and a recording of us playing it and some tips to help you practice. If you need help with flipgrid, click here.
Orchestra Noodles Night
If your family feels comfortable supporting local business with take out during this time, we have an upcoming orchestra night at Noodles and Co on Tuesday May 12 from 4-8pm for you! Order online at noodles.com or via their app and then pick up your order curbside or at their take out station. Noodles is generously donating 50% of your order to the Jenison Orchestras! You will need to make an account and enter GIVING25 in the offer code section during checkout. Orders cannot be placed in person or via delivery.
Optional Extra music:
If you want more music to play, check out this cool web based program called SmartMusic. SmartMusic allows students to search for a ton of different music and it has background accompaniments to play along with.
- Open a Chrome browser and visit: https://admin.smartmusic.com/join
- Join with a class code: TXWFC-RW7XE
- Enter your school email address.
- Finish filling in the boxes to create your account.
A good way to get started is to search for a piece that you know well (Dragonhunter) and play along. There are also a lot of cool solo tunes like Star Wars, Harry Potter, Eye of the Tiger, Fiddle Tunes, etc! The beginner or very easy category is a good place to start for difficulty level. You can play along with the accompaniment tracks or the rest of the orchestra parts and it lets you adjust the speed! Watch this video if you need help with smart music.
We hope you are well and enjoying the nice weather! Again, please do what works for your family during this time.
Fun on Zoom
We are going to have an optional zoom this Tuesday at 2:00pm to play our instruments together and play a fun game! Come if you can! Email us if you need help tuning.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85218597609?pwd=ZkFHVVQ5cG9aUGNRWVJyUWF3Y293UT09
Meeting ID: 852 1859 7609
Password: 5Dfjx6
Orchestra Belts
Good news - we will have an ice cream reward for anyone who earns their belts! Details to come. Only 3 more belts to go! Click here for your Gold Belt music for this week. Click here to submit your belt video on flipgrid. There is also a video on flipgrid for each belt with tips and a recording of us playing it and some tips to help you practice. If you need help with flipgrid, click here.
Orchestra Noodles Night
If your family feels comfortable supporting local business with take out during this time, we have an upcoming orchestra night at Noodles and Co on Tuesday May 12 from 4-8pm for you! Order online at noodles.com or via their app and then pick up your order curbside or at their take out station. Noodles is generously donating 50% of your order to the Jenison Orchestras! You will need to make an account and enter GIVING25 in the offer code section during checkout. Orders cannot be placed in person or via delivery.
Optional Extra music:
If you want more music to play, check out this cool web based program called SmartMusic. SmartMusic allows students to search for a ton of different music and it has background accompaniments to play along with.
- Open a Chrome browser and visit: https://admin.smartmusic.com/join
- Join with a class code: TXWFC-RW7XE
- Enter your school email address.
- Finish filling in the boxes to create your account.
A good way to get started is to search for a piece that you know well (Dragonhunter) and play along. There are also a lot of cool solo tunes like Star Wars, Harry Potter, Eye of the Tiger, Fiddle Tunes, etc! The beginner or very easy category is a good place to start for difficulty level. You can play along with the accompaniment tracks or the rest of the orchestra parts and it lets you adjust the speed! Watch this video if you need help with smart music.
Remote Plan for April 27
Hello 6th Grade Orchestra Students,
It was so great to see a bunch of you on zoom this week! We miss you:) Here is your weekly Remote Learning orchestra email. As we said in March, please do what works for your family - your health and well-being are our top concern right now!
Click here for your Clear Blue Belt music for this week. Click here to submit your belt video on flipgrid. There is also a video on flipgrid for each belt with tips and a recording of us playing it and some tips to help you practice. For a “How to use Flipgrid” Video - click here.
You can access all of the previous emails on the orchestra website RLP page. Check out this fun video of Time for Three playing a cover of Adele and this video of a mile long xylophone!
Hello 6th Grade Orchestra Students,
It was so great to see a bunch of you on zoom this week! We miss you:) Here is your weekly Remote Learning orchestra email. As we said in March, please do what works for your family - your health and well-being are our top concern right now!
Click here for your Clear Blue Belt music for this week. Click here to submit your belt video on flipgrid. There is also a video on flipgrid for each belt with tips and a recording of us playing it and some tips to help you practice. For a “How to use Flipgrid” Video - click here.
You can access all of the previous emails on the orchestra website RLP page. Check out this fun video of Time for Three playing a cover of Adele and this video of a mile long xylophone!
Remote Plan for Week of April 20
Here is your weekly Remote Learning orchestra email! Click here for a message from Mrs. Bush.
ORCHESTRA CLASS ZOOM THIS WEDNESDAY!
When 1:00-1:30pm - We will go over orchestra belt info and info for the rest of the year!
https://zoom.us/j/92666542246?pwd=Z05vbWMxZGsyTlFhaGI4MWNkS2ZFdz09
Meeting ID: 926 6654 2246 Password: 2N4HfL
Click here for your Orange/Yellow Belt music for this week - it is Happy Birthday! Extra challenge - call a family member or friend who has a birthday during quarantine and play it for them to brighten up their day:) Click here to submit your belt video on flipgrid. If you need help getting on flipgrid click here for instructions. There is also a video on flipgrid for each belt with tips and a recording of us playing it so you can hear what it sounds like as you practice. A link to the sheet music is also on flipgrid if that is easier.
ADVANCED CHALLENGE: Click here for extra music you can download for free.
You can access the flip grid information and tuning videos in last week’s email or below under Week of April 13.
Here is your weekly Remote Learning orchestra email! Click here for a message from Mrs. Bush.
ORCHESTRA CLASS ZOOM THIS WEDNESDAY!
When 1:00-1:30pm - We will go over orchestra belt info and info for the rest of the year!
https://zoom.us/j/92666542246?pwd=Z05vbWMxZGsyTlFhaGI4MWNkS2ZFdz09
Meeting ID: 926 6654 2246 Password: 2N4HfL
Click here for your Orange/Yellow Belt music for this week - it is Happy Birthday! Extra challenge - call a family member or friend who has a birthday during quarantine and play it for them to brighten up their day:) Click here to submit your belt video on flipgrid. If you need help getting on flipgrid click here for instructions. There is also a video on flipgrid for each belt with tips and a recording of us playing it so you can hear what it sounds like as you practice. A link to the sheet music is also on flipgrid if that is easier.
ADVANCED CHALLENGE: Click here for extra music you can download for free.
You can access the flip grid information and tuning videos in last week’s email or below under Week of April 13.
Remote Plan for Week of April 13
Hello 6th Grade Orchestra Students,
We hope you enjoyed spring break. We will be sending out an email every Sunday night with Remote Learning orchestra activities! This email is the longest one you will receive (we promise!) - we will use the same technology for the rest of the year. This is technology the jh and hs orchestra students use and it works really well. The emailed information will be added here each week as well!
Great news - you can still earn your Black Belt this year!
Click here for your CLEAR Belt music for this week. It is Turkey in the Straw and you only need to play the original version (not the advanced version). You can submit your belt video on Flipgrid. Once you submit it, you will receive an email when we have awarded the belt and you will be able receive all of your physical belts at the end of the year! We will be able to do some type of Black Belt Reward - details to come soon.
To set up Flipgrid:
You can download it to a device or use it on a computer at flipgrid.com and enter access code: fiddlesonfire
Click here to download it for apple devices.
Click here to download flipgrid on android devices.
Use the code fiddlesonfire and then log on with school google email
TUNING
Don't worry too much about your instrument being out of tune - you can still practice the notes and rhythms even if the strings are a bit out of tune. If you really need to make adjustments, please watch the very thorough videos (there is one for each instrument) below for instructions. It is very easy to break a string while tuning so please use caution and take your time. If you need more help, just email us!
Violin tuning video, Viola tuning video, Cello tuning video, Bass tuning video
If you would still like to participate in the SPRING BREAK PRACTICE CHALLENGE reply to this email with a picture of you practicing by tomorrow (Monday) evening. We have 3 prizes for the most creative pictures! See below for Mrs. Bush’s trick fiddling, Mrs. Johnson playing at her Easter service, Mr. Zallar practicing, and Mr. Scott practicing with Fiddle the cat (who is not on fire - phew!).
Hello 6th Grade Orchestra Students,
We hope you enjoyed spring break. We will be sending out an email every Sunday night with Remote Learning orchestra activities! This email is the longest one you will receive (we promise!) - we will use the same technology for the rest of the year. This is technology the jh and hs orchestra students use and it works really well. The emailed information will be added here each week as well!
Great news - you can still earn your Black Belt this year!
Click here for your CLEAR Belt music for this week. It is Turkey in the Straw and you only need to play the original version (not the advanced version). You can submit your belt video on Flipgrid. Once you submit it, you will receive an email when we have awarded the belt and you will be able receive all of your physical belts at the end of the year! We will be able to do some type of Black Belt Reward - details to come soon.
To set up Flipgrid:
You can download it to a device or use it on a computer at flipgrid.com and enter access code: fiddlesonfire
Click here to download it for apple devices.
Click here to download flipgrid on android devices.
Use the code fiddlesonfire and then log on with school google email
TUNING
Don't worry too much about your instrument being out of tune - you can still practice the notes and rhythms even if the strings are a bit out of tune. If you really need to make adjustments, please watch the very thorough videos (there is one for each instrument) below for instructions. It is very easy to break a string while tuning so please use caution and take your time. If you need more help, just email us!
Violin tuning video, Viola tuning video, Cello tuning video, Bass tuning video
If you would still like to participate in the SPRING BREAK PRACTICE CHALLENGE reply to this email with a picture of you practicing by tomorrow (Monday) evening. We have 3 prizes for the most creative pictures! See below for Mrs. Bush’s trick fiddling, Mrs. Johnson playing at her Easter service, Mr. Zallar practicing, and Mr. Scott practicing with Fiddle the cat (who is not on fire - phew!).
Email for the Week of March 30
We hope you are doing well this week. This is your next weekly email with a few fun things to check out. We will have some play along and new technique videos coming for you after Spring Break! Click here for your new tune for this week - Bare Necessities! You can also keep practicing your concert songs. For other additional music ideas check out our website. Like we talked about in class don't worry about your instrument being out of tune - you can still practice the notes and rhythms even if the strings are out of tune.
SPRING BREAK PRACTICE CHALLENGE:
Reply to this email with a picture of you practicing at home (or outside) by the end of spring break! We have 3 prizes for the most creative pictures.
Lindsey Stirling is a famous youtube violinist who dances while she plays! Check out these links for some fun. The Greatest Showman and Beauty and the Beast
We hope you are doing well this week. This is your next weekly email with a few fun things to check out. We will have some play along and new technique videos coming for you after Spring Break! Click here for your new tune for this week - Bare Necessities! You can also keep practicing your concert songs. For other additional music ideas check out our website. Like we talked about in class don't worry about your instrument being out of tune - you can still practice the notes and rhythms even if the strings are out of tune.
SPRING BREAK PRACTICE CHALLENGE:
Reply to this email with a picture of you practicing at home (or outside) by the end of spring break! We have 3 prizes for the most creative pictures.
Lindsey Stirling is a famous youtube violinist who dances while she plays! Check out these links for some fun. The Greatest Showman and Beauty and the Beast

Email for the Week of March 23
We hope you are doing well this week. We miss you and can’t wait to see you again. We know there have been a lot of changes for students and families - please email us if you need anything, if you need help finding community resources, or with an update about what you have doing with your time at home. You can keep practicing your concert songs and listen to the audio links from the March 18th email (see below). Click here for the google folder with our new tune for this week - Firework! Don’t forget to practice those vibrato exercises that we started too. For other additional music ideas check out our website.
Like we talked about in class don't worry about your instrument being out of tune - you can still practice the notes and rhythms even if the strings are out of tune.
Check out this incredible and funny bass duet with two of the world’s most famous bass players! On a more serious note, here is a full concert of a Mozart Concerto with a viola soloist! The Berlin Philharmonic is also providing free digital concerts. Here is a wave “Hello” from all of your orchestra teachers. We were on zoom planning all things JPS orchestra! We can't wait to see you all soon in person! Please let us know if you have any questions.
We hope you are doing well this week. We miss you and can’t wait to see you again. We know there have been a lot of changes for students and families - please email us if you need anything, if you need help finding community resources, or with an update about what you have doing with your time at home. You can keep practicing your concert songs and listen to the audio links from the March 18th email (see below). Click here for the google folder with our new tune for this week - Firework! Don’t forget to practice those vibrato exercises that we started too. For other additional music ideas check out our website.
Like we talked about in class don't worry about your instrument being out of tune - you can still practice the notes and rhythms even if the strings are out of tune.
Check out this incredible and funny bass duet with two of the world’s most famous bass players! On a more serious note, here is a full concert of a Mozart Concerto with a viola soloist! The Berlin Philharmonic is also providing free digital concerts. Here is a wave “Hello” from all of your orchestra teachers. We were on zoom planning all things JPS orchestra! We can't wait to see you all soon in person! Please let us know if you have any questions.
Email for the Week of March 16
We hope you are doing well! We will be sending out emails at least once a week with some extra ideas for what you can be doing at home. For this week, you can keep practicing your new concert songs and listen to the following audio links to hear them! We will also have one NEW tune for you each week! Click here for a google folder with all of our concert music and our new song! For other additional music ideas check out our website. (Parents - we have included below where the links go to so that you can monitor if you would like you students to use that online platform or not.) Like we talked about in class don't worry about your instrument being out of tune - you can still practice the notes and rhythms even if the strings are out of tune.
Audio Links:
Simple Square Dance: Click here (website) to listen to a professional recording.
Aeolian Rock: Click here (website) to listen to a professional recording.
Calypso Capers: Click here (youtube) to watch and/or listen to another student orchestra performing it.
Check out this wonderful live performance (youtube) that Yo-Yo Ma sent out this week (the world's most famous cellist!). There are a lot of free live streamed concerts online right now. We hope you can find some to enjoy them. Look for more links to come next week. Please let us know if you have any questions.
We hope you are doing well! We will be sending out emails at least once a week with some extra ideas for what you can be doing at home. For this week, you can keep practicing your new concert songs and listen to the following audio links to hear them! We will also have one NEW tune for you each week! Click here for a google folder with all of our concert music and our new song! For other additional music ideas check out our website. (Parents - we have included below where the links go to so that you can monitor if you would like you students to use that online platform or not.) Like we talked about in class don't worry about your instrument being out of tune - you can still practice the notes and rhythms even if the strings are out of tune.
Audio Links:
Simple Square Dance: Click here (website) to listen to a professional recording.
Aeolian Rock: Click here (website) to listen to a professional recording.
Calypso Capers: Click here (youtube) to watch and/or listen to another student orchestra performing it.
Check out this wonderful live performance (youtube) that Yo-Yo Ma sent out this week (the world's most famous cellist!). There are a lot of free live streamed concerts online right now. We hope you can find some to enjoy them. Look for more links to come next week. Please let us know if you have any questions.