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Welcome to Waldo Orchestra!This web site serves the string orchestra students (and parents) of Waldo Middle School and “feeder” schools (Fruitland, Hallman, Scott, Swegle and Washington Elementary Schools). These schools are located on the east side of Salem, Oregon (population 120,835) in the Salem-Keizer School District. The Directors
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Class OfferingsBeginning OrchestraBeginning Orchestra is for students who have never played stringed instruments. The instruments available are the violin, viola, cello and string bass. In this class we learn the basics of playing these instruments, with emphasis placed on correct posture and technique. Students will also learn music reading, ensemble skills, and rhythms. Most students rent their own instruments for the class. There are, however, a limited number of school instruments available for use during the school year (a small fee applies). Intermediate OrchestraIntermediate Orchestra is for violin, viola, cello and string bass players who have studied one or two years on their instruments. In Intermediate Orchestra students work on refining basic techniques of bowing and fingering and develop ensemble skills (rhythm, music reading, intonation and balance). Students will also gain familiarity with musical terminology and basic theory, such as scale patterns, half and whole steps, and chord structures. Performance opportunities will be presented throughout the year, as well as opportunities to attend concerts given by professional and semiprofessional musicians. Advanced OrchestraWhen students have mastered the material taught in the intermediate class, they are eligible to enroll in the Advanced Orchestra. Students wishing to participate in this more intense, accelerated class must perform an audition for the instructor in order to demonstrate adequate facility on their instruments. Members of the Advanced Orchestra work on more advanced technique, such as shifting, vibrato, as well as refining and expending on the basic skills of bowing, fingering, intonation, reading and balance. Students in this group will perform in festivals, contests and adjudications. Members of Advanced Orchestra are also strongly encouraged to expand their skills outside of class, through private lessons, participation in Salem Youth Symphonies, or preparing a piece for Salem’s Solo & Ensemble Contest.
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Dave
DeRoest is a second generation orchestra teacher. He is the son of Gary
DeRoest, retired orchestra director from Grants Pass. Dave studied violin
and voice at Oregon State University, graduating with a bachelor’s
degree in 1991, and has earned a Masters Degree from the University of
Portland in 1997. He has been working in the Salem Keizer School District
for 12 years, teaching orchestra, choir and general music. Dave lives
in Stayton, Oregon, where he enjoys small town life with his wife and
two children. Dave is the primary orchestra teacher at Waldo Middle School,
and teachers 4th and 5th grade strings at the feeder elementaries.
Jim
Charnholm grew up in Salem and attended Salem-Keizer schools. Many unique
musical opportunities over the years helped him decide to become a music
teacher. While a student at the Eastman School of Music he played in the
Eastman Heidelberg Opera Festival. He graduated from Eastman with a Bachelor
of Music Education and Violin Performance degree in December 1997. He
began his teaching career in January 1998 in the Crete-Monee School District
near Chicago, Illinois. He directed the Normal Community High School orchestras
from 1998-2002 in Normal, Illinois. While living in Illinois, he completed
a Master of Music Education degree at Illinois State University and played
in the Peoria Symphony Orchestra. He moved back to his hometown of Salem
in the summer of 2002 and began teaching orchestra at McKay High School
that fall. 
