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Marble Surface

Director: Ms. Jill Almoney

 

Prelude is a string ensemble for students in fourth through sixth grade.  This is a first ensemble experience for young musicians.  Membership is contingent upon skill level and a teacher recommendation.

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Grades 4-6

Prelude Strings

Fall Session

Five rehearsals for developing musicality, collaboration, and technique.

Rehearsal Dates: Oct. 20, 27, Nov. 3, 10, 17 

Fall Session Tuition: $75

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Spring Session

Eleven rehearsals focused on growth and mastery of repertoire selected for the ensembles to perform in Nextgen's spring festival concert.  

Rehearsal Dates: Jan. 12, 19, 26, Feb. 9, 16, 23, Mar. 9, 16, 23, Apr. 6, 13  

Concert Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025

Spring Session Tuition: $175

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Fall & Spring Sessions

All 16 rehearsals, 1 festival concert

Dates: October 20, 2024 – April 26, 2025

Full Tuition: $225 (discounted)

For sibling discounts and scholarship assistance, please inquire with Paul Richer, CEO of Allegro at ceo.allegro@gmail.com.

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Registration, Recommendation, and Tuition Deadlines

January 5, 2025 for Spring Session

*Membership is achieved with the completion of registration, a teacher recommendation, payment of tuition.*

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Locations

Rehearsal:  First United Methodist Church

                    29 E. Walnut Street, Lancaster, PA 17602

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Concert: F&M’s Barshinger Center

               620 College Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17603

Prelude FAQs

When are rehearsals?

Sundays 2:00-3:00 PM

What instruments are in Prelude Strings?

Violin, viola, cello, bass

How much experience do students need before joining Prelude?

One year, and the ability to meet Prelude's musical expectations

How do we join Prelude?

        There are 3 steps that must be completed:

        1 - Registration 

        2 - Recommendation by a teacher

        3 - Tuition payment must be received

Is there financial assistance available?

  • Sibling discounts for families with 2 or more students participating in Nextgen ensembles are available.

  • Scholarship assistance is available for students who qualify for free/reduced lunch at school.​

What if the deadline for registration has passed?

        Please contact Sarah Ziegler, Nextgen Coordinator

Prelude Musical Expectations

  • Reads and performs basic rhythms (whole, half, quarter, eighths) at a proficient level.

  • Reads and performs dotted rhythms at a developing level or higher.

  • Reads, discriminates between, and correctly performs low/high 2’s (violin/viola), 2nd/3rd fingers (cello) and 2nd/4th fingers (bass) at developing-proficient level.

  • Reads and performs on all strings  G, D, A, and E or C developing level or higher.

  • Reads and performs high 3’s/low 1’s (violin/viola) and extensions (cello) at an introductory level or higher.

  • Reads and performs in 2nd and 3rd position (bass only) at a developing-proficient level.

Please read all attendance policies and review the rehearsal/performance schedule carefully before completing your registration and committing to perform with Nextgen. 

Performance Level Definitions

  • Introductory- The student has a vague understanding of the concept and will generally NOT perform the specific technique correctly when sight-reading. Additional instruction, practice, and much more exposure to the concept is required before mastery can be achieved. 

 

  • Developing - The student has a fair to good understanding of the concept, but when sight reading, may stumble when attempting to use the specific technique. Some guidance and practice is necessary in order to achieve mastery.​

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  • Proficient - The student has a complete and thorough understanding of the concept and will generally perform the technique correctly and accurately when sight-reading. Little or no additional practice is required for mastery. 

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