What to do with Zeswitz rentals over the summer/ returns?

If you plan to play this instrument next year, you can hold onto it for the summer. Any credits you earned from your rental are accumulated when you keep the instrument. Even if you are changing an instrument next year, holding onto the instrument over the summer helps you keep the rental equity credit you earned this year.

If you plan to play a different instrument next year, you need to:

1) Contact Zeswitz.

2) Bring it to school to return.

GO HERE for more details on what to do with your Zeswitz rental.

Please review the drop off procedure for morning rehearsals.

Click here to read!

3rd Grade Orchestra Wednesday Rehearsals, 5/18 evening practice and 5/21 Concert! HERE is a detailed letter.

Wednesday 8:00 AM Rehearsals at Pine Road:

You can find more details regarding our rehearsals and performance HERE.

Adams, Magee/Tickner, Thomas and Turnbull string players come to Pine Road at 8:00 AM on Wednesdays April 22nd, and May 6th. Only Violin and Viola players need to bring their instrument to these PR rehearsals. Cello students can use their school cello.

Kim, Liu, Stroup and Swillos' string players come to Pine Road at 8:00 AM on Wednesdays April 29th and May 13th. Only Violin and Viola players need to bring their instrument to these PR rehearsals. Cello students can use their school cello.

All string players come to the evening rehearsal on Monday, May 18th at 6:30 PM in the Lower Moreland Middle School Auditorium. All string players will need to bring their instrument to this rehearsal. Cello players need to bring their home cello to this evening rehearsal, as well as to the evening Concert on May 21st.

String Instrument Care:

Ideal storage is between 65-78 degrees and 50% humidity.

Store the instrument in a place that would be comfortable for a child with no coat. Keep it away from cold and hot places. Do not leave it in the car.

Cold weather creates air with less moisture. As a result the wood of our string instruments shrink! Perhaps the wooden pegs become loose and the strings won't hold their tune.

Feel free to send your child's instrument to school so Mrs. Eisenman can use peg drops to help the pegs hold their tune.

Frequently Asked Questions

3rd Grade Orchestra

Should I RENT or BUY an instrument?

RENT! Most students rent instruments because it provides a quality instrument at a fraction of the purchase price. Typically if you rent, your rental payments build credit towards future purchase of any future instrument, regardless of whether you switch instruments or not. You simply need to maintain your rental from year to year to maintain your rental credit. Be sure to check with your rental company to clarify any terms and conditions of your rental agreement.

If you are interested in purchasing an instrument right away, DO NOT BUY ONE FROM AMAZON! The instruments on Amazon (e.g., Mendini, Cecilio, or Glory) are not made with quality materials and often break prematurely. If you are interested in renting, please consult our buying guide or email Mrs. Eisenman.

When is my lesson?

Lesson take place during the school day (not before school) and alternate between each grade level's WIN period and another time throughout the day. Mrs. Eisenman will pick students up from the classroom at their special lesson time. Please review your child's lesson day based on the instrument they play. Schedules will be posted in Google Classroom for students to access.

24-25: When is my lesson?

1 lesson per encore cycle. Students will have 1 lesson on day A, B, C, D, E, or F.

Lessons happen during the school day.

Can I be in chorus and in orchestra? YES!

String Lessons take place during the school day (not before school) and alternate between each grade level's WIN period and another time throughout the day. Mrs. Eisenman will pick students up from the classroom at their special lesson time. Please review your child's lesson day based on the instrument they play. Schedules will be posted in Google Classroom for students to access.

Chorus happens before the school day on Tuesday mornings. Chorus rehearsals and events will never conflict with string lessons and events, since Mrs. Eisenman teaches them all and hasn't figured out how to be in 2 places at once. Go to https://prchorus.lmtsd.org/home for more information about chorus.

When is the concert?

The spring concert for 3rd Grade Orchestra will be on Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 7:00 PM at the Lower Moreland Middle School Auditorium/ Performing Arts Center.

String students will need to arrive by 6:30 PM.

What do I bring for my lesson?

Violin and Viola students must bring their instrument to each lesson.

Cello students do NOT need to bring their cello to school for lessons.

Supplies are listed here.

When are before school rehearsals?

3rd Grade Orchestra will start 8:00 AM before school rehearsals in late April.

Rehearsals will occur on Wednesdays at 8:00AM.

Students in Adams, Magee/Tickner, Thomas and Turnbull's rooms will come to Pine Road at 8:00 AM on Wednesdays April 22nd, and May 6th. In addition, they will need to attend the evening rehearsal on Monday, May 18th at 6:30 PM in the Lower Moreland Middle School Auditorium.

Students in Kim, Liu, Stroup and Swillos' rooms will come to Pine Road at 8:00 AM on Wednesdays April 29th and May 13th. In addition, they will need to attend the evening rehearsal on Monday, May 18th at 6:30 PM in the Lower Moreland Middle School Auditorium.

What supplies do I need?

Feel free to set up the rental agreement ASAP with Zeswitz.

https://www.zeswitzmusic.com/rent

You pay a lump sum for the introductory period now and get the instrument delivered to Pine Road in September. It should not cost you anything more if you do it now as opposed to August, and this way, you just get it done!

Unless your child is taking private lessons this summer in that instrument, do NOT select immediate delivery.

A complete supply list for each instrument is available here: Supplies

Do I need a music stand?

Not necessarily. While a music stand is useful eventually for musicians, beginners at PR will primarily access their music in Google Classroom. All they really need is a device to open up their work in Google Classroom.

A complete supply list for each instrument is available here: Supplies

What size instrument do I need?

Measure your child and refer to THIS SIZE GUIDE.

What instruments can I play?

How does Mrs. Eisenman communicate with string orchestra families?

In June, once sign ups are complete, Mrs. Eisenman will send a confirmation email with a reminder to set up the rental agreement for the instrument.

In September, once the lesson schedule is set, Mrs. Eisenman will communicate primarily via Talking Points to families of string orchestra students.

Important News:

SAVE THE FOLLOWING 25-26 DATES:
- Monday, May 18th, 2026, 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM: Full 3rd Grade Orchestra rehearsal in the Lower Moreland Auditorium (LM Middle School)
- Thursday, May 21st, 7:00 PM: 3rd Grade Orchestra Concert!
  - 6:30 PM arrival time for all string players (more details coming in April)
Details about our 8:00 AM WEDNESDAY REHEARSALS and our SPRING CONCERT will come out winter 2026.

Questions?

Please contact Mrs. Hillary Eisenman, Pine Road General Music Teacher and 3rd Grade Orchestra Director

For fourth and fifth grade band and orchestra, please contact Mr. Glen DeGeorge, K-12 Music Department Chair

& Instrumental Music Director (Grades 4-5), 4th and 5th Grade .General Music Teacher

heisenman@lmtsd.org

215-938-0290 ex. 6060

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