Intermediate Strings

Description

Grade Level: All ages at Instructor’s discretion

Maximum enrollment: 20

Intermediate Strings is a class for students who have played a minimum of one (1) year and know how to read sheet music for their instrument. The class will study easy to moderately easy string orchestral and/or chamber music of many different styles. Come and learn from one of Atlanta's premiere musicians and share in the joy of playing music with your classmates. A required concert demonstrating the students' progress be given at the Talent Show at the end of Fall semester and at the Teacher Appreciation Dinner at the end of year.  These two concerts will be graded as the Final Exam for each semester.

Fees /Text /Expenses

The cost of the course is $80 per month for nine months, due on the 1st day of each month…$310 per semester if paid by first class of each semester ($295 for sibling discount) Make checks payable to: Chamber Music Atlanta Inc. or can send via Venmo @DavidHancockCMA

Students will need to purchase the method book Strictly Strings Vol 2 for his/her appropriate instrument. It is published by Alfred Music and compiled by Jacqueline Dillon and others, available here on Amazon:

Violin:

https://www.amazon.com/Strictly-Strings-Bk-2-Violin/dp/0882845365/ref=sr_1_1?crid=CDFLPPZBUZM4&keywords=strictly+strings+book+2&qid=1677683530&sprefix=strictly+strings%2Caps%2C96&sr=8-1

Viola:

https://www.amazon.com/Strictly-Strings-Bk-2-Viola/dp/0882845373/ref=sr_1_1?crid=36E6LKEZ1AQ9M&keywords=strictly+strings+book+2+viola&qid=1677683626&sprefix=strictly+strings+book+2%2Caps%2C100&sr=8-1

Cello:

https://www.amazon.com/Strictly-Strings-Bk-2-Cello/dp/0882845381/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1H7GLOEJBL1YA&keywords=strictly+strings+book+2+cello&qid=1677683698&sprefix=strictly+strings+book+2+cello%2Caps%2C83&sr=8-1

Bass:

Students will also need their own/rented instrument, bow, shoulder rest (for violin/viola), endpin stop, rosin (instrument appropriate).  I recommend Ronald Sachs Violin shop in Lilburn for rentals and purchases (explanation upon request).

What to Bring to Class:

Each student must have an instrument of acceptable quality, either owned or rented. Equipment will not be provided. Renting from a local violin shop is often the best option. Look to Ronald Sachs Violins in Lilburn for example. You will need to bring instrument, bow, shoulder rest (for violin/viola) and a portable music stand with you to class, as well as a pencil, binder and sheet protectors (to protect sheet music that will be provided to you during class).

Homework

Having an orchestra class meeting only once a week places the responsibility on the student to practice every day.  The amount of daily time a student does this needs to be age specific. Six and seven year-olds learn a lot on 20 minutes of practice daily. As they get older this time needs increase so that by the time the student is in high school an hour daily is not unreasonable.  It should also be noted that practice time and play time (playing the instrument) is really not the same thing, even though both are important. Instructions on how to practice will be demonstrated each week in class. 

A word about tuning your instrument: String instrument tuning doesn't operate like piano tuning. A good quality instrument whose strings are changed once a year can stay close to well-tuned if tuned everyday.  For an instrument to stay beautifully in tune it must be tuned 2-3 times during the course of a practice session each day.  The importance of this cannot be stressed enough.  Student ear training is a big part of learning to play well, so hearing the exact same pitches each day is paramount to success.  There has never been a time in history when this was as easy to accomplish as it is today. Free chromatic tuner applications are available for Apple and Android cellphones. For Apple phones download the Pano Chromatic tuner.  For Android phones download the G strings chromatic tuner.  Both are free and easy to use right after launching them.

The Instructor

David earned the Master of Music degree in conducting from Southwestern Theological Seminary in Texas. His extensive study of solo and chamber repertoire placed him under the coaching of Janos Starker, Lynn Harrell, Claus Adam, Leonard Rose and Samuel Mays. David received a Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance degree from Indiana University, where he studied with Fritz Magg.

Since coming to Atlanta, David frequently performs in the Southeast as soloist, and chamber musician where he also serves as pedagogue, composer and arranger. He regularly plays with the Atlanta Opera and has recorded as soloist and chamber musician on several CD recordings and has also recorded with Trey Anastasio, Steve Green, Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant and others.  

Currently, David is the Director of Orchestras at His Masters Voice School of Music and Art in Stockbridge, GA. He has completed his eighth year in that position and, for the past two years, has been the Director of Orchestras at Joyful Noise Band, a homeschool music school in Marietta, GA. David also conducts private lessons.

David has two daughters who are now grown. His eldest, Sara, is a harpist and has received the Bachelor of Music degree in performance from Columbus State University.  She is currently enrolled at University of Michigan's Music School to receive the Master's degree in harp performance. His youngest, Ana, owns her own pet-sitting and walking business. He attends a new church plant, Tucker Presbyterian Church, and is head musician there composing and arranging for string quintet, flutes and piano weekly.

More information may be found on CMA website here: https://chambermusicatlanta.com/atlanta-musicians/david-hancock/