Join the Junior Summer String Orchestra!
Director: Judith Morse
- Grades 2-5
- July 28 - August 1, 2025
- 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
About PRESTO I
PRESTO I Junior Summer String Orchestra welcomes beginner-level violin, viola, cello and bass students who are entering grades 2 through 5 in the fall of 2025. Designed as an introduction to the Orchestra Ensemble experience, this fun-filled week will provide a perfect opportunity for young string enthusiasts to play music together and make friends with other string players. PRESTO I Junior Summer String Orchestra will conclude with a final performance on Friday where the students will showcase what they learned during the week and celebrate their accomplishments with their families and friends. All participants will receive a Certificate of Achievement in a special awards ceremony.
Prerequisites
Participants in PRESTO I Junior Summer String Orchestra must be entering grades 2 through 5 in the fall of 2025.
Requirements
Students should have a basic knowledge of first position on their instruments and preferably at least one year of private lessons or school instruction on their string instrument.
A video recording is requested to properly select music that will benefit the level of all of the students participating in the PRESTO I Junior Summer String Orchestra. The video clip should be no more than 2-3 minutes and should include the student playing a brief sample of a recent piece they have been studying and a scale that they are comfortable playing (1, 2 or 3 octaves). The video clip should be emailed to conservatory@rider.edu.
Maximum number of students: 30
Schedule
Drop-off for PRESTO I Junior String Orchestra begins at 8:45 a.m. All of the students should be ready to start rehearsal as a full ensemble at 9 a.m. At 10 a.m. the children will learn music theory which will provide an opportunity for the students to learn basic musicianship and new terminology as it relates to the music they are studying. At 10:30 a.m. a break will be provided for the students to stretch, socialize and have a snack. Parents should pack a nut-free snack along with water or juice to be enjoyed during this break. After snack-time class will resume with sectionals.
At 11 a.m. sectionals will take place and coaches will work with the students to help them learn their individual parts. From 11:30 a.m.-12:20 p.m., all of the students will rehearse as a full orchestra again, adding the newly-learned musical concepts and terminology to the music. Parents will pick the children up at 12:30 p.m. The final performance on Friday, August 1 will begin at 11:45 a.m.
Location
PRESTO I Junior Summer String Orchestra will be held on the Rider University campus in Lawrenceville, New Jersey.
Tuition
- Fee: $350
- Early Bird Discount (Register by May 31): $325
Tuition includes a Westminster Conservatory t-shirt, music and music folder.
$50 Late Fee will be added to tuition for registrations accepted one week before the starting date of the program.
A non-refundable deposit of $150 is due with the application. The balance of the fee is due by June 1. Registrations received after May 15 must pay in full. Cancellations after June 1 will receive a refund (less deposit, above) only if another student can be placed from a wait list.
