Topanga Elementary

2025-2026 School Year

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Orchestra Program Details​

Welcome to Orchestra!
Grades: K–5
All levels welcome – no experience necessary!

Are you looking for a fun and engaging way to introduce your child to the world of music? Look no further than our Orchestra program!

Whether your child is a total beginner or already has some experience, our program is open to all students interested in learning to play woodwind, brass, or string instruments – including the ukulele. Small group classes are appropriately organized by age, instrument, and ability, ensuring each student receives personalized instruction from our talented and supportive teachers.

Throughout the 2025-2026 school year program, your child will have the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of rhythm, harmony, and traditional note reading, all while playing familiar songs that they love. In the spring, these smaller groups will come together to form a larger ensemble, culminating in a memorable year-end concert.

Not only will your child build lifelong musical skills and confidence, they’ll also have a blast learning an instrument and performing alongside their friends. Enroll today for our Orchestra program and watch as they discover the joy of making music!

Instruments​

  • Kindergarten and First graders may choose the violin (Violins are sized to fit each individual student) 
  • Second graders may choose the violin, flute, clarinet, trumpet, or ukulele.
  • Third graders may choose the violin, cello, flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, or ukulele
  • Fourth and Fifth graders may choose the violin, cello, flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone, or ukulele

Schedule

Orchestra Schedule Overview

  • Start Date: Fridays in September 2025
  • Final Class and SPRING CONCERT:  Spring 2026 TBD
  • Lesson Day: Weekly on Fridays (classes are scheduled after-school between 2:45 PM – 5:00PM)
  • Lesson Format: Small group instruction | 35–40 minute classes, culminating in a year-end concert

General Class Timeframe (for your planning purposes)

  • Grades K–1 (Beginning/Returning Violin): Scheduled directly after the dismissal bell, typically between 2:45 – 3:45PM (K-1 Students not in aftercare must be picked up immediately after class.)
  • Grades 2–5 (Beginning Strings, Winds, Ukulele): Typically scheduled between 3:00 – 4:15 PM
  • Grades 2–5 (Intermediate/Advanced): Typically scheduled between 3:30 – 4:45PM
Please Note:
  • Final class times will be emailed 1–2 weeks before the first day of classes and are based on enrollment, instrument, and skill level. We recommend keeping the full time block from 2:45–4:45PM available on Fridays until schedules are confirmed.
  • Students with later classes should plan to attend an aftercare program before and/or after their music class (e.g., STAR, Beyond the Bell), or they can go home and return for their assigned time.
  • If you order an instrument from our supplier (link below), it will be delivered to your school on the first day and given to your child at their first class.

Orchestra Program Costs

A onetime program fee of $695 is due with your registration and covers the entire 2025-2026 school year program.

Parent Volunteers needed

A parent volunteer is needed to assist with administrative logistics each week on Fridays after school. Please email us at  Contact@TheOrchestraPlace.com if you’re available each week and interested in being our parent volunteer. Parent volunteers may need to be approved by the district if they are requesting to volunteer at an LAUSD school. 

Parent volunteers receive a full tuition waiver and free instrument rental in exchange for their weekly assistance.

Additional Resources

The program fee covers all instructional costs, sheet music, method books, and basic supplies provided to your child throughout the year.
Each student will also have access to a customized Class Portal, which includes weekly class recaps, practice assignments, practice tips, downloadable sheet music, play along tracks, helpful video tutorials, and more.
The only additional cost will be the rental or purchase of your child’s instrument (see below).

Private Lessons - *Optional* ​

Enhance Your Child’s Musical Journey with Personalized Private Lessons!
Our weekly group classes alone provide a sufficient amount of instruction throughout the year to ensure age-appropriate proficiency and an enriching musical experience. Private lessons are an additional opportunity for our motivated students who want more personalized guidance to support their goals or wish to progress at an accelerated pace.
Private Lesson Details:
  • Designed to complement group lessons.
  • Scheduled directly with your child’s assigned teacher.
  • Lessons take place either at school (after all classes have concluded) or at your home, based on family preference and teacher availability. Home lessons may require an additional travel fee determined by your private teacher.
  • Private teachers will be assigned several weeks after the program begins, giving students time to establish fundamentals before starting one-on-one instruction.
  • Billed automatically as each pre-paid block is completed.
Lesson Fees:
  • Block of 4 (30-minute lessons): $228
  • Block of 2 (30-minute lessons): $114

Honor Orchestra

A select group of our more experienced students may be eligible to participate in the All Schools Elementary Honor Orchestra during the second semester. Participants are recommended by their teacher or the music director.

To qualify, students must be enrolled in their school’s regular Orchestra Program, attend classes consistently, and participate in their school’s Spring Concert.

Getting your instrument

Discounted rental and purchase prices have been arranged for participating music students through our official instrument supplier. All prices from our supplier include FREE DELIVERY to school at the first lesson and pick up at the end of the program following the year-end concert. Visit The Instrument Place to place your order.

Orchestra Registration