Debut Orchestra 

Debut Orchestra, or Beginning Strings, is a starting-level class where children learn the fundamentals of playing a stringed instrument and reading music. No prior experience is required.

In class, we work on

1) Posture and form

2) Playing technique

3) Interval recognition

4) Reading notes

5) Rhythm and pulse

6) Following a director

7) Listening to other players

Private lessons are crucial for proper development of a young string player. Each participant will receive one private lesson per semester, included in their tuition. Additional private lessons can be purchased for $40 each, or a punch card of four lessons for $150. 

Recommended minimum age for Debut Orchestra is 8 (3rd grade). Younger children are encouraged to meet with the instructor prior to class to evaluate readiness. They may be encouraged to seek private lessons instead of or along with the class.  

Instruments

Families are responsible for procuring their own instruments. Once you register, you will receive detailed suggestions on how and where to do this. PLEASE DO NOT GET YOUR INSTRUMENT until you have received this information. Most importantly, do not buy an instrument on Amazon or other general merchandise seller. You will most likely have to return the instrument.

Some trusted rental companies to check out:

• Lasley Violins, U District (competitive prices, best place to build equity)

• Hammond-Ashley, Issaquah (most convenient)

• The Bass Church, Seattle (specializes in basses)

• Sharmusic.com (best prices, best for violin and viola)

• Ted Brown and Kennelly Keys are hit and miss but some people have had success there.

• Most general music stores like Music and Arts are cheap but have lower quality.  Not recommended for violin or viola. Can still be fine for cello or bass but do not carry smaller sizes.

Here are some considerations that can help you choose your instrument:

1)  Ease of play. Cello is generally considered the easiest to play, followed by bass and then violin and viola.

2)  Hand shape/flexibility. I can help you determine if your natural hand and wrist shape are ideal for violin, viola, cello, or bass.

3)  High need instruments. Our greatest need right now is bass, then cello and viola, and lastly violin.  

4)  Your child needs to love what they choose! If they love the sound and feel of a particular instrument, then they should choose that one!  I have all of the instruments at my house and I’m happy to spend some time with your child helping them choose one.

Rehearsal time and location

Rehearsals are Friday afternoons. You can choose between 2:30-3:30 and 4:45-5:45. We'll have a bass coach helping at 2:30 and a cello coach at 4:45 so those are the best choices for those instruments.

We will also combine at 2:30 occasionally throughout the year when scheduling demands it, and will combine more as we near the concert in May. 

We meet at Snoqualmie Middle School in the band room. On occasion we will meet at other locations. 

Classes start Friday October 3 and end the first Friday in June.  There is one concert on Saturday May 16, 2025.

Cost & How to Join

Snoqualmie Strings seeks to offer an orchestra experience at a very reasonable price.  We are currently charging $300 per semester (15 classes plus one private lesson) plus a one time supply fee ($35 for violin, viola and cello, $20 for bass).  Concerts are free.  Auditions are not necessary for Debut Orchestra. To register for Fall 2025, please click: