2020-2021

Benefits of Studying Instrumental Music:

· Teamwork

· Self-expression

· Coordination

· Memory skills and responsibility

· Self-confidence and esteem

· Poise

· Goal setting

· Problem solving

· Sense of accomplishment and pride

Program Goals:

· Learn to play a musical instrument using proper posture, hand position and tone quality

· Develop an awareness of major and minor tonalities, a means to decode rhythms and techniques for good tone production

· Develop the ability to set individual goals, maintain a good work ethic and realize a sense of achievement upon completion

· Develop the ability to work towards common goals in large groups

· Respect the talent and diversity of others while participating in a musical team

Recruitment Process:

· D181 instrumental music program video

· Instrument demonstration video performed by D181 Middle School students

· Physical characteristics and instrument preferences google form

· Optional individual zoom interview with parents/students

· Directors review the preferences google forms and interview information to select the instrument that best matches your child’s interests, physical attributes and balanced instrumentation

Student Responsibilities

· A minimum of 60 – 90 minutes of home practice per week (as guided by directors)

· Practice in a place fee of distractions

· Place music at eye level on a music stand and be sure to use good posture while you practice

· Set goals – follow the checklists! Work on improving five things in your assignment every time you practice

· Attend all lessons when you are scheduled

· Be on time for all lessons with your instrument, book and binder ready to go

· Bring all materials to your lessons

Parental Tips

· Please help schedule a regular practice time. Before or after school, before or after dinner or when parents are watching the evening news, are all excellent times to practice

· Please provide a regular place to practice with a solid chair and music stand, preferably somewhere well lit, quiet and free of distractions

· Please encourage your child through positive support. Listen to practice sessions on occasion

· Everyone will probably require tons of patience while the beginning musician squeaks, squawks, moans and groans their way through the first few weeks. It will get better! With regular practice – those noises will be replaced with the wonderful sounds of music. The rewards will be worth the wait!

· Any assistance you can provide in the first few weeks to help your student remember their lesson times will be appreciated

Lessons

· One small group lesson per week

· Like instrument groupings: flutes, clarinets, etc.

· Lessons this year will be presented remotely via zoom or google meet

· Because of our teaching schedule, makeup lessons will be very difficult, so weekly attendance is critical to success

· Occasional full band sessions will take place via zoom or google meet in order to provide large group instruction and experience

Materials Needed

· Tradition of Excellence – Book 1

· Smart Music subscription (you will be billed $15 in January through Skyward)

· Music Stand

· Instrument in good working condition

· A pencil to keep in your binder

· Woodwinds– cleaning swab (Clarinet & Saxophones also need cork grease and at least 3 good reeds, and a reed case to protect the reeds)

· Brass– Valve oil, water rag, tuning slide grease (Trombones also need water bottle & slide cream)

· Percussion– Musser M4 bell mallets, Vic Firth SD1 sticks, stick bag

· You can get supplies from Quinlan & Fabish (6827 High Grove Blvd, Burr Ridge) or you can order supplies online (https://www.qandf.com/) or by phone (630.654.4111) and have them shipped to your home

Recommended Instruments

· Flute: Yamaha YFL-200AD, Gemeinhardt 2SP

· Clarinet (wood): Yamaha YCL400AD

· Alto Saxophone: Yamaha YAS200AD

· Trumpet: Bach TR300, Yamaha YTR200AD

· Trombone: Yamaha YSL200AD, Bach TB301

· Euphonium/Baritone: Yamaha YEP201

· Tuba: rent through school

· Percussion/Bell Kit: Ludwig M652R, Yamaha SPK350

Care of Instruments

· Students will be instructed on daily maintenance of instruments

· Handle with care! Your instrument is made of breakable parts, so be careful handling it. Do not let younger siblings handle your instrument

· Always store the instrument safely in the case when you are not playing it

· Before you pick up your case, make sure the latches are closed

· Keep your instrument clean by swabbing out the moisture, wiping off the outside, brass instruments and mouthpieces should be given occasional baths according to director instructions

· Do not let your instrument get too hot or too cold – for example, avoid leaving it in the car for an extended period of time on a hot or cold day.

Middle School Band Program

· Band meets during the school day as an “encore” class

· Middle school band members get a smaller group lesson once a week

· Jazz band meets outside of the school day and enrollment is by audition

Grading

· Band is included for the second and third trimester report card

· Grade is based on attendance, practice effort and musical improvement

Private Lessons

· Once the students get going, private lessons are encouraged and provide students invaluable one on one instruction

· Private lessons build on the concepts and skills taught in weekly lessons and can help young musicians increase their technique and confidence

· https://tinyurl.com/d181privateteachers

Band Website

· This website has been developed to provide learning tools for students and parents to access information about the D181 band program: http://tinyurl.com/n5azllc

Contact Information for Mrs. Farris, Mr. Morong & Mrs. Stibich

· Elm & The Lane - Mrs. Farris: Kfarris@d181.org

· Prospect – Mr. Morong: Emorong@d181.org

· Madison, Monroe, Oak & Walker: Lstibich@d181.org