Welcome Oakton ES Strings 2025-2026
Welcome Oakton Elementary Students
This Google Slide was made to tell you about the Strings program at Oakton Elementary School, and should you chose to participate, it will help you decide a string instrument for the 2025-2026 School Year.
Oakton ES offers Strings for all 4th, 5th and 6th grade students! In 5th or 6th grade students also have the opportunity to select band, chorus, or continue with Strings.
Strings class occurs once a week at OES. The purpose is to introduce your child to the string instrument of their choosing in a positive community, centered around building practice and problem-solving habits within a music ensemble setting. It also offers students the chance to perform with friends as well as making new friends! This is an optional class, but one I hope you’ll consider!
Learning about the instruments of the Strings Family
There are four instruments that students may choose from to join our OES String Family. They consist of the: Violin, Viola, Cello and Bass. The violin is the highest sounding instrument with the Bass being the lowest in our family. All instruments are important to the success of the orchestra.
All string instruments can be played either by plucking the instrument with your right hand or by using a bow that is held by the right hand. All instruments also have four strings, however, they sometimes go by different names and in different orders, depending on the instrument you are playing. For example: the violin strings names from highest to lowest is: E, A, D, G. The Viola, however, is A, D, G, C.
In the next few slides you will learn about each of the instruments. When you are listening to each of them, try to listen to each of their individual sounds, and also look at how each instrument is played. This might help you make a decision on which instrument best fits you. Always remember we will work together to come up with the perfect instrument and perfect size that is most comfortable for you!!
Happy listening and choosing!!! Let’s begin with the Violin!
Violin
Violin is the highest instrument in the string family. The violin many times plays the melody in many pieces. It is the smallest instrument of the string family ranging in size from a 1/4th ( occasionally for 4th grade students) to a 4/4th size instrument which some 6th grade students will use. Violins are very portable and can easily be taken to and from school on your bus!
Enjoy some examples of beautiful violin playing on the next few slides!
The Violin Can Play Many Different Styles
The video to your left is Ms. Frank playing one of her favorite pieces!
Meditation by Massenet!
Viola
The Viola is the next lowest instrument in the strings family. It plays a 5th lower than the violin. Its highest string begins with the A string and the lowest is the C string. The Viola has a mellower, and warmer tone quality. Most students who decide to play the viola will play a size similar to the violin. The Viola is very important to the orchestra for the harmonies it plays and for the lower register. Viola is also very portable and is easily transportable on your school bus!
A Few Videos Featuring Solo Viola !!
Cello
Cello is the next to lowest instrument in the strings family. One of the unique things about the Cello is that it must be played sitting down and to secure the Cello when your playing it has an endpin which students also use to measure the correct height of the instrument. The Cello has the same strings as the Viola but an octave lower, so its sound is even lower and deeper. In the orchestra the celli section can play anything from the most important and beautiful melodies to more supportive roles. Although not as portable as the higher instruments, Oakton ES is blessed to have quite a few cellos so most students will be able to use a school instrument for their weekly classes.
Some Special Cello Videos
Bass
The Bass is the lowest instrument in the string family and the largest. It is also one of the most versatile instruments. The Bass is important to not only classical music but also jazz, rock and blues. Bass is very important in the string orchestra to bring out the lower lines in our concert songs. Students who start on upright bass can confidently make a transition to electric bass. Although the bass is quite large and not as easily transportable, OES is blessed to have many basses that can be used for weekly classes so that students do not have to worry about getting their instrument to and from school.
Some Special Bass Videos
Strings Summary
Strings is a fun and exciting class where we have many opportunities to perform not only for our school but we also take part in outside performance activities as well.
When watching this presentation take the time to carefully listen to how each instrument is played and its sound. Any student enrolling in strings can play Violin, Viola, Cello or Bass.
Our Strings classes occur once a week.
There are many local stores very close to Oakton ES that can take care of your rental needs. FCPS is also blessed with a rental program as well for students that meet requirements. Ms. Frank will be giving you more information as we get closer to the start of school.
Rental Stores recommended by Ms. Frank: (these stores will be able to handle any needs you might have)
Here is a video of a piece that our OES String Orchestra was working on for our Spring Concert! Enjoy! This is an example of some of the music that we will play in strings.
A short video about the benefits of joining a string program
Ms. Frank’s Contact Info
Please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Frank should you have any questions or concerns. I am happy to speak with you about any information you might need.
The best way to contact me is through my FCPS email:
****NOTE**** The photo to the right was taken after a Manassas Ballet Production of the Nutcracker two years ago. I am the one with the “mini mouse king on my violin”
Due Date Form Information
Please return forms as soon as possible! By June 6th,2025. Don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions.
Enjoy listening and choosing your instruments for the Fall!!
All the best,
Ms. Frank