About the Strings Program
Open to Holy Cross Academy students grades 2-8
Classes meet weekly and perform a winter and spring concert each year.
Strings students participate in special field trip and performance opportunities.
Group classes are small so each student receives individual attention.
Home practice expectations are reasonable and clearly articulated.
Classes are open to students interested in playing violin or 'cello.
Tuition rates are reasonable and scholarships are available for current or prospective students.
The strings program at Holy Cross Academy began in 2017 and has rapidly grown over the last two years. During the 2018-2019 school year, 23 students participated in five distinct violin and ‘cello classes. The 2019-2020 year will be the inaugural year for the HCA Chamber Strings, an exciting opportunity for third-year students to play in an orchestral setting!
Strings classes at Holy Cross are a fun blend of Suzuki Method instruction, fiddling, seasonal tunes, and hilarious musical games to make every class exciting.
First Year - During the first year of strings, students learn to hold their instrument, create a fantastic tone, perform as a group ensemble, and play foundational pieces from the Suzuki Method and a variety of fiddle and traditional sources.
Second year students work on more advanced pieces in the Suzuki curriculum, develop more bow control and new techniques, and begin reading music notation.
Third year students participate in a combined ensemble class focused on playing with a variety of melodic and harmonic parts in a chamber orchestra setting. Special emphasis will be placed on reading music and listening skills.
Academics & Working with classroom teachers
Strings classes at Holy Cross Academy rotate every four weeks so students do not miss the same class more than once each month. Students receive strings class reminders each Wednesday morning, and classroom teachers work to ensure students do not fall behind or miss assignments due to participation in strings. Due to the responsibility, home practice expectations, and inherent difficulty of orchestral stringed instruments, students pursuing a structured musical education, on average, see a significant increase in their academic achievement!
The classroom teachers at Holy Cross Academy are extremely supportive of the strings program, and love to see the students participate! Strings supplements and enhances the work of excellent classroom teachers.
Drew Robertson
Drew Robertson is an enthusiastic teacher invested in the success of the strings program at Holy Cross Academy. To learn more about his teaching experience or send a message, please click the buttons below.
Holy Cross Academy
250 Stafford Lakes Parkway
Fredericksburg, VA 22406