Week 5: PLN Post 1

8notes.com website: sheet music

Click here to visit the 8notes.com website!

Follow 8notes.com on Twitter

This year my schedule has allowed me to have a string ensemble club in both middle schools during club period. Clubs usually meet once a week for about 35 minutes during the school day, and students are allowed to choose 2 clubs: one for the fall semester and one for the spring. Unlike our elementary chamber groups, which rehearse before school and are by invitation only (i.e., they are select groups), I opened string ensemble club to anyone from the orchestra who wants to join. This is partly because I want all students to have the opportunity to play in a small group regardless of ability, and partly because I wasn't sure how many students would be interested. String ensemble club is up against some other popular clubs like art club, student council, and yearbook.

Unfortunately, this spring I only found out who was in my club the day before clubs started. In one building I actually ended up with a standard quartet of 2 violins, a viola, and a cello, but in the other building I had 3 violins, 2 violas, a cello, and a bass. Either way, I didn't have time or money to go out and find level-appropriate music for these students to play.

Luckily, a quick Google search led me to 8notes.com. From the homepage I selected "String Groups" and then I could pick from a number of combinations. Some of the music is only available for purchase, but there were quite a few pieces available for free. I like that many of the pieces include all parts on each page (similar to a choral piece) so students can see what others are doing and even rehearse themselves sometimes. I also like that I can follow along with the score on my computer if I want to and easily print more copies. Many pieces also include a MIDI recording if students want to hear what the piece should sound like. One piece I chose was an arrangement of "Hornpipe" from Handel's "Water Music". Finally, I also like that students can access this music at home, choose other pieces to play, print out more parts, etc. I'm excited to see what this resource can help me find in the future.