COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT THE STRING

PR O G RA M
When are the string classes?
Lessons on violin, viola, cello and bass are offered after school at the Music Centre. Please
see our website http://dacm.hrsb.ns.ca for this years class schedule.
Violin classes are also offered at the following schools in the Dartmouth area during the
school day. Please contact the Music Centre or the specific school for class times.
Bel Ayr Elementary School
Creighton Park Elementary School
Hawthorn Elementary School
Ian Forsyth Elementary School
School
John MacNeil Elementary School
Michael Wallace Elementary School

Welcome to All-city Strings!

Whether you are joining us for the
first time or you are a returning
family, welcome to the 2015-16 AllCity String Program. We look forward
to a great year together.
The All-City String program is largely
supported by municipal
supplementary funding, and further
supported by our registration fees
and fundraising under the auspices of the Dartmouth String Parents Auxiliary
(DSPA). The DSPA helps to pay for additional expenses incurred with student and
teacher workshops, trips, festivals, bursaries and scholarships.
The All-City program is committed to providing students the opportunity to play
and develop their musical talents in a welcoming environment. Students are
expected to attend rehearsals regularly with their instrument and music, settle in
and be ready to play at start time, be co-operative and respectful to their director,
volunteers, and each other.

Mount Edward Elementary School

Portland Estates Elementary School
Shannon Park Elementary School
Southdale/North Woodside Elementary
South Woodside Elementary School

The Astral Drive Area has classes after school at Astral Drive Elementary on Mondays
and Thursdays.
The Fall River Area has classes after school at Ash Lee Jefferson on Tuesdays and
Thursdays.

Orchestra/Ensemb
le
Junior Orchestra

Day & Time

Director

Contact

Tuesday, 5:45-7:00
Gilda Balaban
gbalaban@hrsb.ca
pm
Intermediate
Monday, 6:30-8:00
Ashley Yoon
Orchestra
pm
Senior Orchestra
Wednesday, 6:15Margaret
williamsm@hrsb.c
8:15 pm
Williams
a
Senior String
Wednesday, 5:00Ashley Yoon
Can a student join
any time? Students should start lessons in September as
Ensemble
6:00at
pm
we are a sequential skills-based program. There may be exceptions for students coming
String
Band
Thursday, 5:30-6:30
Joan Archibald jarchibald@hrsb.c
from private lessons mid-year. Students may join the orchestras at any time, however
pm
a

September is preferred. Auditions are held for the Senior String Ensemble and the String
Band in June/September. If you are interested in joining one of our auditioned groups
please contact the appropriate director above.

Should I call if my child cannot attend a class or rehearsal?

Yes. Please call and leave a message on the Absentee Line (435-8464 ext.1). Phone

messages are collected frequently and passed to the appropriate director. Attendance is
critical to the orchestras and lessons. If a student decides to quit, please contact the
orchestra, ensemble, or class director. If a class or rehearsal must be cancelled due to
teacher illness you will be contacted by the director via e-mail and it will be posted on our
website.

What happens when there is no school, or a storm, on the day

of a class or rehearsal?
If school is closed the string classes and rehearsals are cancelled. If Prince Andrew High
School and the feeder schools are closed due to inclement weather, then music programs
at the Music Centre will also be cancelled. If schools are not cancelled, but roads are
dangerous, check with the Music Centre (435-8464), or use your own discretion. Visit our
website for after-school cancellations, http://dacm.hrsb.ns.ca. Teachers make every effort
to contact students in the event of a cancellation.

Are there fundraising opportunities?

Yes. String students and teachers use fundraising as a way of lightening the financial load
when trip season approaches, as registration fees do not cover all string expenses.
Donations to the DSPA are accepted under the auspices of the Halifax Regional School
Board where a tax receipt will be issued. Each student who is part of the string program
has his or her own string account. Any fundraising opportunities throughout the year in
which students participate will contribute to this account and accumulate until needed for
orchestra or class outings.

Do students wear uniforms?

Yes. Each group has a uniform for concerts only. All orchestras wear black shoes, black
socks or tights, black pants or skirt (below the knee while seated) and white shirts with no
writing. Senior String Ensemble and String Band will perform in all black.
The All-City program has a Black & White Swap of previously loved performance
clothing in good condition, including shoes. Our clothing racks are set up in the Music
Centre. Students are welcome to contribute to and/or take something from the rack. We
accept donations of white and black tops, black pants, skirts, black shoes, black blazers or
suit jackets, and choir t-shirts. Second hand stores are also a great place to find
performance clothing.

Do the string groups perform?

Yes, during Open House Ice Cream Social Week in October family and friends
invited to watch a rehearsal. During the Holiday season the orchestras and

are

ensembles perform at two separate All-City program concerts. Every spring there are also
showcase events for each level including a very special performance for the Senior
Orchestra. In the past some orchestras have participated in Music Festivals, trips and
tours in order to share their music with others in their community and abroad.

Do we need volunteers?
Yes, we welcome volunteers; many hands make light work. We are looking for Dartmouth
String Parent Auxiliary Executive members as well as volunteers for other fundraising
events and trips. DSPA members and string volunteers are encouraged to attend the
monthly DSPA meetings-the first Monday of every month at 7:30pm.
Any adult who wishes to volunteer throughout the year must complete their Criminal
Record Check (CRC) and Child Abuse Registry Check (CARC) and have a copy on file at the
Dartmouth Music Centre. These may be completed at your local police station and
https://www.novascotia.ca/coms/families/abuse/ChildAbuseRegister.html. A CRC letter
may be requested from Pam Paddock in order to reduce the cost of this check.
To express your interest in volunteering, please contact our Chair of the DSPA, at
chair.dspa@gmail.com or Pam Paddock at ppaddock@hrsb.ca.

Bursaries
We have some funding available for students who participate in groups outside of the
school such as the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra or for those who are pursuing a musical
career after high school. See your director for more information.

How can I learn more?

Check out our website: http://dacm.hrsb.ns.ca