Primary Orchestra (2-5)
Registration for the 2024-2025 school year is NOW OPEN! Space is limited.
Beginning Violin
Grades 2-5: Wednesday, 1:00 p.m. – 2:05 p.m (AT CAPACITY) or Friday, 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.b (AVAILABLE)
Open to students who have never played a stringed instrument. Classes are capped at 16. Students will learn the fundamentals of playing a string instrument including position, musicianship, and technique. All students will be responsible for providing an appropriate instrument and accessories. (Enrolled students will receive more details in the Orchestra Handbook)
Overture Orchestra
Director’s Approval Required: Wednesday, 2:20 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.** (AT CAPACITY) or Friday, 4:45 – 5:50 p.m.**
This class is designed as a continuation of Beginning Levels. This includes students in grades 3-5 and placement will be based on audition. In this class, students will continue to refine posture, build on technique skills, while transitioning into music reading and becoming more independent musicians.
Encore Orchestra
Director’s Approval Required: Wednesday, 3:45 p.m. – 4:50 p.m.**
This class is designed for students who have completed the Beginning and Overture levels. This includes students in grades 3-5 who are reading music fluently and have solid technical skills. Placement is audition based. We will work primarily on playing orchestra music together.
**Students NOT enrolled in Triple A after school care must be picked up via their regular dismissal mode (car line or waiters) and brought back to the Primary Lobby 5-10 minutes prior to the class start time.
2024-2025 School Year Registration
Grade: 2 – 5
Frequency: One class per week
When: Wednesday OR Friday (see times above)
Fall Semester Dates: August 23, 2024 – December 4, 2024 (No class 8/30, 10/9, 10/11, 11/27, and 11/29)
Spring Semester Dates: January 15, 2025 – May 2, 2025 (No class 2/14, 3/19, 3/21, and 4/18)
Cost: $60 registration, $280 per semester
Payment Options:
Option 1: $280 due prior to first class of the semester.
Option 2: 4 payments of $70 due at the first of the month.
Important note: registration is by semester, not monthly
How to Register
Step 1. Thoroughly review the Primary Orchestra program details and Triple A Terms for Participation.
Step 2. Submit the Primary Orchestra Registration Form.
Step 3. If there is room in the class, Ms. Zenfell will email individuals who have completed the registration form with steps to pay the registration fee within 3 business days. Otherwise, your student will be placed on the waitlist.
Step 4. Pay the registration fee.
Step 5. All steps must be completed in order to save your student's spot.
Meet the Instructor
Ms. Zenfell grew up playing viola and percussion everywhere she could in St. Louis, MO, and started teaching during high school. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from The Florida State University and a Master of Music & Human Learning degree from the University of Texas-Austin. Aside from her 9 years of experience as a public school orchestra director, Ms. Zenfell felt the need to fill a gap for beginning level adults. She co-founded the Parent Orchestra with the UT String Project and directed it for 6 years before founding the New Leaf Orchestra in 2015.
Additionally, she has an interest in Middle Eastern music, particularly Arabic, and even presented on this topic at the 2011 national convention for the American String Teachers Association. This will be her 10th year at Meridian and she enjoys how connected the Meridian community can be. In addition to the orchestras at Meridian and New Leaf, Ms. Zenfell teaches private lessons at home and at Hopewell & Hernandez Middle Schools. When she’s not teaching, you can find Ms. Zenfell practicing yoga or helping out homeless cats.
Late Pick up Fees
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Late pick-up from Arts/À la carte/After school programs will result in additional fees to accrue at the rate of $5 per 5 minutes starting with the first minute.
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Students who participate in Arts/À la carte activities will be charged $5 per 5 minutes with a 5 minute grace period from the activity's dismissal time to allow for transition from the classroom.
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For full-time after school students end-of-day, "late" begins at 6:01 p.m.
1 – 5 minutes = $5
6 – 10 minutes = $10
11 – 15 minutes = $15
16 – 20 minutes = $20 ...