If your student or child has passed a grade exam recently and is comfortable at the new, higher grade level, that is where they should be enrolled.

For those students not taking grade exams, here are some helpful guidelines to locate their correct placement level:

Grade 1

Fluent in 1st position in C, G, D major, simple slurs max. three notes, basic difference between legato and staccato articulations. Comfortable reading in 2/4, 3/3 and 4/4 time signatures.

Grade 2

Forward and backwards extensions in first position (so B flat and A major keys) and knowledge of fourth position, so G major scale in 2 octaves. Some familiarity with 6/8 time signature. Hooked bowing and doing two up bows in a row to finish phrases nicely.

Grade 3

Half, second and third positions added but with no extensions and generally more fluency in shifting. More complex rhythms with ties and dots.

Grade 4

Using 5th and 6th positions for A and B flat in 2 octave scales (and 7th position for B flat arpeggio in two octaves).  Extensions in the other four-finger positions. They should know what detaché is, and be aware that the bow can and does bounce (Squire Joyeuse is a grade 4 piece).

Accompanying Parents

  1. Supervising parents attend at no cost.
  2. All children aged 12 and under are required by Health and Safety to be supervised by the parent or appointed guardian. Parents may make arrangements between themselves to assume alternate supervision of a child other than their own. The Society takes no responsibility in this regard.
  3. The final informal Ensembles session is open to family and friends at no cost.