After-School Violin and Cello Classes at St. Mark's Classical Academy!

Sign Up for the ​2024-2025 Season!

About the Classes
Beginning and intermediate/advanced violin and cello classes are now open to all interested students
in grades 4 through 8. 

Beginning Violin and Cello Class
​·       Wednesdays, 3:30 – 4:30 PM, beginning Jan. 22.
 Class size will be limited to 10 students per class.
Intermediate/Advanced Violin and Cello Class 
​·       Tuesdays, 3:30 – 4:30 PM, beginning January 21

 
Tuition

·        Session II - 14 weeks beginning the week of January 20th, 2025. Payment is $280 for 14 lessons.
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All payment is due on or before the first class of each session.
Payment is accepted by check or money order made out to Judy Harvey.
Payment may also be mailed before the classes start to Mrs. Judy Harvey, 6403 N. 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19126

    Have a Question About the String Program?

About the Instructor

Mrs. Judy Harvey is a certified music teacher with a master’s degree in education. She has been teaching strings, both privately and in school contexts, for over 35 years.

Mrs. Harvey previously directed the strings program for upper elementary school students in Cheltenham School District for 27 years and is currently director of Tenth Student String Ensemble at Tenth Presbyterian Church.

Teaching Style and Method

  • Students will be taught using traditional methods of classical violin and cello instruction, with fiddle, popular, and sacred melodies included as supplementary material.
  • Opportunities to perform as a group for St. Mark’s services will occur about twice a year at Christmas and Easter. Performing early in their music development is a wonderful confidence builder for violin and cello students! Family and friends are welcome to attend.

What You Need to Be in the Program

  • Parents must either rent or purchase an instrument. Students accepted into the program must have an instrument by the second class. You may rent or buy from any source. See below for more information on renting and buying an instrument, including recommended sources. Please fill out the form below if you have questions about obtaining an instrument. Please note: St. Mark's does not rent, sell or provide instruments.
  • Violin students will need a Kun or equivalent shoulder rest. 
  • Every student will also need a music stand and lesson book. Beginning violin students will need Learning the Violin, Book I, by Cassia Harvey. Beginning cello students will need Learning the Cello, Book I, by Cassia Harvey. Books can be purchased through Amazon or through charveypublications.com. ​
  • Intermediate/advanced students should bring a check for $10.95 for their lesson book.  ​
  • Any other needed supplies will be provided.

Renting or Purchasing an Instrument

Renting

Music & Arts Music Center is a good source for renting. You may sign up online at www.musicarts.com or call 1-800-347-1116. The cost for the first four months is $40! Pay online and the company will deliver the violin right to the school. Allow two weeks for processing.  Do not send instrument rental money in to St. Mark’s.
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Two other rental/purchase sources in the Mt. Airy, Chestnut Hill area are Harold Golden Violins, www.goldenviolins.com  and Mount Airy Violins & Bows, 215-438-9031. Shar Music, www.sharmusic.com  is also a good online source for rentals.

Purchasing

Most instruments sold on the internet for under $150 are not playable. Buy from a reputable company with a good return policy in case the violin must be returned.  Make sure the fingerboard and pegs are ebony and the bow has genuine horsehair. Shar Music Company, www.sharmusic.com  and Southwest Strings, www.swstrings.com are both reputable companies with good return policies offering affordable instruments for purchase.
The average cost to rent for a year is about $190. The cost to buy a good quality student violin is around $170. Cellos are more expensive. Used instruments are fine.
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Violin Sizes
With your child’s arm fully extended, measure from your child’s neck to the middle of his or her palm. If this measurement is:
20 inches or less – obtain a ½ size violin
20 to 22 inches – obtain a ¾ size violin
24 inches or more – obtain a full size or 4/4 violin

Cello Sizes
The shop where you rent or purchase an instrument can help you with sizes. 

    Have a Question About the Violin and Cello Program?