Welcome to Strings! at Capitol Hill.  My name is Dr. Philip Fried.  Please note the information below which may change.   If you have any questions, please contact me: Philip.Fried@spps.org

 Program description   updated Jan. 2023

String Orchestra Performances:

MS New Strings

Capitol Hill MS Intermediate Strings

Capitol Hill Advanced Strings

Instrument Search & Music Store List

Elementary Orchestra & String Classes (grades 3-5)  are during the school day. Students have 2 sessions a week: 1 group lesson and 1 orchestra session.

3rd and 4th grade - Cougar Strings is when most students begin their study. If you are interested, please let me know by email philip.fried@spps.org (phone TBA).  I will go to the  classrooms during the first two weeks of school to introduce the program and hand out sign-up information. 

5th Grade - Capitol Strings is for most 5th grade students and any elementary students who have finished an instruction book such as Essential Elements book 1 or Suzuki book 1.

Middle School Orchestras (Grades 6-8) are elective classes that are scheduled into the school day. Check your registration materials and ask your counselor to help you find the right class.

If you have never played before, or perhaps played for just a short time back in elementary school, join us!

Intermediate/New Orchestra - Rondo Orchestra is for students who have played 1-2 years and have completed a level 1 lesson book or are Brand new!

Advanced Orchestra - Concert Orchestra is for students who have played 3 or more years and have completed a book such as Suzuki Book 2.

String Interest form download

Dr. Philip Fried

McKnight Artist Fellowship Award winner, Dr. Philip Fried has been teaching K-12 music in public and private schools for over 25 years. He graduated from The High School of Music and Art 1973 (the “Fame” school), his education at Queens College and the CUNY Graduate Center included among other topics: strings, band, choir, and classroom music. He received a Ph.D. in music composition from the University of Chicago in the early 1980's.  Besides his professional work as a composer, including a work for the SPPS Ordway Honors concert, Honors March for Orchestra, Dr. Fried has written solo works and selections for his many students.  Dr. Fried keeps an active schedule as a nationally recognized improvising musician performing on string bass, appearing yearly at the ISIM (International Society of Improvising Musicians) festival, and other venues locally, and around the United States.

Dr. Fried is dedicated to working with students in all phases of their music education.  

Last Year's Concerts:

Tuesday   Dec 6th, 6:30 pm MS String Orchestra Concert

Tuesday Dec 13, 6:30 pm Winter Elem. Band/Orch concert

Thursday Dec 15th, Daytime Music Assembly, time TBD (there may be 2 assemblies) Band/Orchestra

Tuesday Mar 7, Central HS combined performance 7 PM, all day field trip.-

Tuesday May 9, 6:30  Elem. String Orchestra concert

Tuesday May 16th, 6:30 Spring String Orchestra MS concert

Friday May 26th, Daytime Music Assembly, time TBD (there may be 2 assemblies) Band/Orchestra