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4802 Monona Drive, Monona, WI 53716Monday to Thursday: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. · Saturday: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. · Friday and Sunday: ClosedMonday to Thursday: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.(608) 555-0111
Vibrato String SchoolMonona, WI
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Saturday ensemble

Saturday mornings, by level

Three groups rehearse in the studio each Saturday, and Sayaka plays piano with every one. Ask your teacher which group fits.

Fall term

Showing 3 of 3

  • Saturday

    • 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

      Ensemble A

      Cello and viola · Samira Hammad · Studio A

      Ages 8 to 13Levels 2 and 3OpenRegister

    • 9:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

      Ensemble B

      Cello and viola · Edmund Sanborn · Studio A

      Ages 11 and upLevels 4 and 5WaitlistRegister

    • 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

      Adult strings

      Cello and viola · Avis Radcliffe · Studio A

      AdultsAll levelsOpenRegister

Sample classes.

Times change by term. Classes are up to 10 players.

What a Saturday is like

Tune, rehearse, play through

Each rehearsal opens with tuning, then sections work on their own parts before the group plays through together.

Players sit in sections, with cellos and violas side by side and a piano part underneath. Parts are matched to level, so every player has something to learn and something they can already play.

  • Cello and viola parts for every level

  • A concert at the end of each term

  • Players join the group their teacher suggests

Students seen from behind setting out chairs and music stands in a bright rehearsal room, with cellos resting along the wall

Which group

Which level plays where

Ensemble A is for levels 2 and 3, Ensemble B for levels 4 and 5, and adult strings for any level.

  1. 01

    First position

    Ages 8 and up, and adults
    Skills

    • Sitting with the instrument at the right size and height

    • Open strings and a relaxed bow hold

    • The first finger patterns on two strings

    Moving up

    Your teacher moves you on when the bow and the left hand work together on a simple tune.

  2. 02

    Bow and rhythm

    After first position
    Skills

    • Long and short bow strokes

    • Reading notes and simple rhythms in first position

    • Playing a duet with your teacher

    Moving up

    You move on when you can read a short piece and keep a steady beat.

  3. 03

    Wider keys

    After bow and rhythm
    Skills

    • Extended finger patterns and more keys

    • Louder and softer playing, and phrasing

    • The first move up the neck

    Moving up

    You move on when the keys and the first shift are comfortable in a piece.

  4. 04

    Moving around

    After wider keys
    Skills

    • Shifting between positions

    • Scales across two octaves

    • A first look at vibrato

    Moving up

    You move on when shifting is steady and you can learn a part on your own.

  5. 05

    Ready for ensemble

    After moving around
    Skills

    • Playing your own part inside a section

    • Tuning with others and counting rests

    • Following a conductor

    Moving up

    Players at this level take a seat in Ensemble B on Saturdays.

Where to startBook a placement visit

Sample levels.

Come and listen to a Saturday rehearsal

Open rehearsals are in late August. Or book a placement visit and we will suggest a group.

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