“Music is the universal language of mankind.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Band Director:
- Kelly Stratil- @email
Strings Director's:
- Alicia McMahan - @email
- Austin Johnson-Stawarz (Mr. J) - @email
- Jamie Soutos - [email protected]
Students in grades 4th, 5th, and 6th are able to play an instrument at White Oaks Elementary.
- 4th grade students can sign up for Strings
- 5th & 6th grade students can sign up for Band or Strings
Students receive 1 hour each week of instruction in instrumental music. Students have the option to select one of the following instruments:
Band:
- Flute
- Clarinet
- Oboe
- Bassoon
- Saxophone
- Trumpet
- Trombone
- French Horn
- Baritone/Euphonium
- Tuba
- Percussion
Strings:
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello
- Bass
Instrument Rental
Students will need an instrument for this class.
- If the cost of renting an instrument presents a financial hardship for your family, FCPS provides instrument rentals for an annual fee of $20 for those families that have applied for free and reduced lunch or the instructional rental assistance program. This includes those students RECEIVING, or who have APPLIED for free or reduced lunch and or the instructional rental assistance program. (Instrumental options are limited to flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, percussion, violin and viola.)
Band Rental Information:
Once your child is fit to their Band instrument, Ms. Stratil will send home all the information in a packet of information on exactly what to get and options on where to get it. Please do not rent an instrument before your child had been fitted.
Where can I rent a String instrument?
- School rentals
- There is a limited supply. Please contact the WOES strings program director for more information.
- Music Store Rental
- Some of our students have used these rental shops in the past. This is not an endorsement but aims to help you get started on your rental process.
- Brobst Violin Shop: 703-256-0566 www.brobstviolins.com
- Fairfax Fine Violins: 703-457-1101 www.ffviolins.com
- Day Violins: 703-391-9444 www.dayviolins.com
- Music and Arts - Springfield: 703-451-0875 https://stores.musicarts.com/va/springfield/music-store-0034.html
- Foxes Music Company: 703-533-7393 www.foxesmusic.com
- Potomac Music: 703-600-9590 www.potomacmusic.com
- Some of our students have used these rental shops in the past. This is not an endorsement but aims to help you get started on your rental process.
Items needed for Strings
All students are required to have the following items for Strings:
- Instrument, bow, case with name tag
- Music stand
- Beneficial for at home practice
- Shoulder rest (violin/viola only)
- Rock stop (cello/bass only)
- Pencil
- Place inside the case and bring it to every class
- Cloth/rag to keep instrument clean
- A washcloth works too
- Rosin (included with most rental instruments)
- 1-1.5 inch Three ring binder
- Stool (bass only)
- Beneficial for at home practice
Parent Orchestra
Interested in learning to play a string instrument this year?
All White Oaks parent/guardians/staff have the option to join the FACE Parent Orchestra. There are beginner through advanced options. Participants can select to play the violin, viola, cello, or bass.
Learn more about the Parent Orchestra, and register.