Mrs. Gross

Hello! My name is Mrs. Gross. I have been teaching music in the Spring Grove Area School District for 34 years. In those 34 years, I have taught Elementary Essential Music, Elementary Band, Elementary Strings, SGI Essential Music, SGI Chorus, SGI String Orchestra, SGI Select Strings "Don't Fret" (an ensemble I started),  SGI Strolling Santas (an ensemble I started), MS Essential Music (where I started the current guitar program), MS String Orchestra, MS Select Strings (an ensemble I started), SGHS Marching band where I was an instructor for the Blue Crew Marching Band, and  SGHS Indoor Guard instructor (where we won 1st place at the State Championships).

My school String and Choral Ensembles have performed at many venues and community events. We have performed at the PA State Capitol, have participated in adjudication events like Music in the Parks, where we have won 1st place. We have traveled to Washington DC to perform with the United States Air Force ensembles. My string students have been able to perform with Mark Wood from the Trans Siberian Orchestra! I started the Pigeon Hills String Invitational Festival in 2018 which is a one-day string festival for local school districts. My students have successfully auditioned and participated in music performance groups and  festivals, like York Junior Symphony Orchestra, York Youth Symphony Orchestra, York Honors Choir,  York County Elementary Choral Festival ( which I hosted), Boys Noise Choral Festival, Sweet Soundsations Choral Festival, and  PMEA String Fest.  While at SGASD, I was also the Assistant Band Director and drill writer/instructor for the Central York High School Marching Band.  

I play many instruments as well as sing. I am involved in many performing ensembles. As for my string experience, I have been playing the violin and viola since 3rd grade in the Hanover Public School District. I am currently the Principal Violist and Assistant Conductor for the Hanover Symphony Orchestra. I am a founding member who started the HSO and have been with the HSO for 27 years. I am a clincian for the HSO kids program.   I founded the Grosse string quartet that plays for all types of events. I have performed with various quartets, ensembles, pit orchestras, and symphony orchestras. I also performed with the Hanover Community Singers Orchestra.  

I play band instruments. I have been playing the clarinet since 4th grade, and saxophone since 9th grade in the Hanover Public School District. When I was in 7th grade, I joined the Lyric Band of Hanover. I became the first woman and the youngest member of the Lyric Band to conduct the Lyric Band. I was also their Drum Major when they marched in parades. I perform with the Littlestown Area Municipal Band. I am currently the baritone saxophone player  for The Jazzberries Jazz Band. I perform various instruments at my church and with the Hanover Community Singers.  

I am active in my church, St Matthew Lutheran Church in Hanover PA (which has the 9th largest pipe organ in the world), musically, where I sing in the Adult Choir, vocal / instrumental soloist, participate in the handbell choir, and perform any instrument accompaniment that is requested by our Music Director, Mr. Scott G. Fredericks.  I am currently the interim handbell director. 

I enjoy musical theater and I perform in pit orchestras.   My senior year in high school, I was Adelaide in "Guys and Dolls". I was awarded "Best Actress" for my role as Hamlet's mother Gertrude in the comedy play "A Danish Soap: The Danes of Our Lives". I have performed various other characters in local theater and was in "Willie Wonka" with AOK. I studied 10 years of dance at the Hildegard Hamme School of Dance in Hanover. I sang  Alto singer/soloist in the Eichelberger Chorale.  

I participated in sports in middle school and high school in the Hanover Public School District. I played basketball for 6 years where my position was  forward.  I was instrumental in starting and playing in  the first girls softball team at Hanover High school, where I was the catcher.  I participated in track where I ran sprints and relays.  

I am a graduate of Hanover High School.  I had the honor of being Drum Major for 2 years of  Hanover High School's Marching Band, where in my senior year we beat 17 other bands to take first place at the State Championships. I am a graduate of  West Chester University where I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education.  I was also Drum Major for 2 years of the Incomparable West Chester University Marching Band. Being a part of these two marching bands also gave me the opportunity to march in two Macy's Day Thanksgiving Parades. I have worked with and written drills for many area marching bands, indoor guards, and was an instructor with the George Parks Drum Major Academy for 7 years.   

I earned my Master's Degree from McDaniel College in Curriculum and Instruction. I earned my ESL Degree from Millersville University/ Wilkes University. I continue to keep current with new musical trends by attending classes and workshops.   

Besides music, I enjoy roller skating, knitting, my dog Benny, and being with/performing with my family.  

Information About String Instruments

• Students may join strings in any grade. Really!! 
   
• Elementary students will observe an assembly demonstrating the VIOLIN, VIOLA, CELLO, and BASS. SGI AND SGAMS students will hear about the program on the morning announcements and music classes.
   
• Students will have the opportunity to " try out" the VIOLIN, VIOLA, CELLO, and BASS.
   
• Students will be given handouts on important information  about the SGASD String Program and how to get an instrument.

Beginning / First year strings, please complete the Official Registration Google Document to put the student on the school's String Orchestra Roster.  Grades 4-8 do not need to register because your information is on Sapphire:)

3RD GR String Orchestra Registration Form 23-24

• 3rd grade strings will need your instrument and a 3-ring binder or folder by Cycle 4 – your first lesson. String students in grades 4-8 will be using a book supplied by the district.  
   
• I strongly suggest getting your instrument from Menchey Music Service – see flyer/videos below. They offer a rental plan with a maintenance plan. If you break your instrument, they repair/replace it for FREE. Also, they have a rent-to-own plan. As your child grows, Menchey’s will provide the size of instrument that is necessary. Your payments go towards your next-size instrument – which you can then own.
   
• Remember – your instrument fits you now and as you grow, your instrument will need to grow with you. Menchey’s plan gives you 100% towards your next size instrument – because we need you to play longer than just one-year.
   
• If you choose to buy an instrument outright, you will need to buy another instrument when your child grows out of the first one. You will need to figure out what to do with your old instrument.
   
• Please be very careful buying instruments online. They are usually not quality instruments and break easily – and there is no maintenance plan. In my 34 years of teaching, I have experienced many online instruments breaking while I tried to tune them - the pegs break off in my hand.  This has never happened with a Menchey instrument.  Also, if you break the instrument you bought, most music stores will not be able to repair it.  Also, stay away from string instruments that are painted a color ( like a pink violin).  The pegs break and the bridge either falls out and will not stay upright or breaks.  
   
• At this time, there are no school string instruments available to use at home.
   
• When you get your instrument, please look - do not touch. You do not want to have a broken instrument for your first lesson.  My suggestion is to rent from Menchey's who will then deliver the instrument right to the school for your child's first lesson.  

If you have any questions about the string program, please contact Mrs. Gross at grosss@sgasd.org. If you have any questions about a rental plan, please contact the music store you wish to deal with. 

Before you rent or buy a string instrument, you need to know the size of instrument your child needs. This will be found in your child's "STRING PASSPORT" that was given to them during the "instrument exploring/ tryout" meetings.

If the student missed the string exploring meeting, I can size them the next time I am in that elementary school.

ONCE YOU HAVE OBTAINED YOUR STRING INSTRUMENT, PLEASE MAKE SURE THE STUDENT'S NAME IS ON THE NAME TAG AS MOST OF THE CASES LOOK SIMILAR.  ( STUDENTS ARE ALLOWED TO PUT STICKERS ON THE CASE AND/OR PUT A KEYCHAIN ON THE CASE TO DISTINGUISH ONE CASE FROM THE OTHER). IN THE PAST, THERE HAVE BEEN ISSUES WHERE STUDENTS PICKED UP THE WRONG INSTRUMENT AT THE END OF THE DAY.  

How to Rent an Instrument Online 

• Instruments should be obtained by Cycle 4. *At this time, school-owned string instruments are not available for home use.
   
• Students will be in lesson groups by instrumentation and grade (Violins with Violins; Violas with Violas.... 3rd graders with 3rd graders.....)
   
• String lessons are during the school day. I see the string students once per cycle. I see the string students for a 25 - 30  minute lesson. (SGI & SGAMS are 25-30 min lessons) String lessons are a "pull-out" lesson, meaning students will miss some class time during their string lesson. This is usually not a problem.  We all work together to make sure all students are successful in their academics, as well as their string instruction. 
   
• Students are responsible for having their instrument, a pencil,  some type of folder/binder to keep papers/music and any other handouts needed for the school lesson. Students who forget one or all of these items should still attend the school string  lesson as an observer.  Students are responsible for practicing their string homework, so they are prepared for school string lessons and we can progress to the next technique.
    
• Students are responsible for following the directions, expectations, procedures, and rules of the string lesson class and school.
   
• The only activity outside of the school day is our spring concert in April. More details will be sent home closer to the concert date. Please treat this like a championship game - I need all of the string players in attendance as everyone is important on this team! Nobody sits the bench in strings! The concert date is already on the school calendar! Please inform coaches, dance teachers, instructors, leaders, etc..... so they know the string student will be at the concert. 
   
• At this time, elementary strings is not a graded activity. However, I will be sending home progress reports. SGI and SGAMS will receive a grade that can be found on Sapphire.

Please do not get your instrument out of the case before the first lesson. This way, all instruments will be in good working order for the first lesson.

INSTRUMENT CARE

VIDEO - HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR INSTRUMENT

In the event your Menchey instrument breaks, you make take it to  your local Menchey store for a repair.  If the repair is too extensive, Menchey's will issue a "loaner" instrument while yours is being repaired - so you can keep practicing:). If you have a string instrument that is not from Menchey's and it breaks, you can still take it to Menchey's but they may not be able to  repair it.  There are some repairs I can do at school like:  set up a bridge that fell over ( not broken); replace a broken string; tighten chin/jaw rests.  Contact me before going to Menchey's to see if the repair is something I can fix or not.  

I would like to start lessons on Cycle 4.  Mrs. Gross's schedule should be:

Day 1 = Paradise, AM and SGAMS, PM
Day 2 = SGE
Day 3 = SGAMS (7th & 8th graders need their instruments days 3 & 5)
Day 4 = SGI (5th & 6th graders need their instruments days 4 & 6)
Day 5 = NSE, AM and SGAMS, PM
Day 6 = SGI (5th & 6th graders need their instruments days 4 & 6)

The day I am at your school is the day you need to have your instrument, 3 ring binder/folder with handouts, songs, packets,  pencil, music and have practiced your string homework so you are prepared and we can progress to the next technique.... :)

HOW DO I KNOW WHEN TO COME TO MY LESSON DURING SCHOOL?

Once 3rd grade/first year strings have registered on the Google form, (4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, & 8th, grade strings to not need to register - I get your information from Sapphire). then I will work with the classroom teachers as to what time your string lesson will be. Remember,  as a string musician, you are part of a privileged group of students who get out of class to learn/play a  string instrument. Please follow all school rules - especially in the hallways. Also, you must work with your classroom teacher to discuss what you will be missing during your string lesson.  A schedule will be made and posted in the classroom. (schedules will take a while to solidify)

At school string lessons,  I will inform students of the importance of practicing at home. I have many fun songs and activities on Schoology so that the students do not become "bored".  All string students are different - so I like to provide a variety of practice activites that the student may pick and choose to do.  It is my job to make sure the school string lessons are engaging and productive.  It is the job of the string student/family to ensure the string lesson assignment/homework is being worked on between lessons.  There will be a "Play at Home" paper that the string students will have their assignment on and a place for an adult to mark whether the lesson was practiced or not.( this was a suggestion from several parents/guardians)

Parents/ guardians at home have the responsibility of helping their string musician find a practice routine that works with your home family schedule.  Instrument practice will look and sound different each time they practice.  Home practice  can  include stretching exercises, instrument/bow hold activities,  silent practice ( where  string students are memorizing notes on the staff), music writing (where string students are writing in fingerings/note names, using repetition on problem areas, song/piece run throughs......  Home practice may require some creative thinking. (For example, my daughter would take her cello book in the car as we were going to dance practice - she would practice her note reading/writing and "air" play her cello in the car).  Also, practicing an instrument at home can sometimes be lonely.  One idea is that string students could practice together - like a "play" date .

Some families ask about private string lessons.  This is always a great idea - some string students need more help than what I can give them at school; or some students need more challenging music; some students need the one-on -one instruction... whatever the situation is, private lessons are a great supplement to the school lessons.  

Lastly, everything will be on Schoology: home practice assignments, important family packets, activities, handouts, games.... Please check Schoology on a regular basis. STRING STUDENTS SHOULD BE USING SCHOOLOGY WHEN THEY PLAY/PRACTICE AT HOME. 

I would like to thank you for beginning/continuing your child's journey in the SGASD String Program - which is 50 years old:). This is a lot of information.  Please reach out if you have any questions about the SGASD String Program.  Please contact me if your child starts to lose interest; practice becomes a struggle at home, or you think your child is going to quit. Communication is key :). When contacting me, please include the child's full name, grade and school attending. Email is the best way to contact me: grosss@sgasd.org.

I look forward to working with everyone - beginning strings/families  to veteran stings/families!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Gross