We will start lessons in mid September, which will be when you need to have an instrument for your child if you are providing one. I will announce a specific day and schedule much closer to that date, but I want to make sure that everything is in place for the kids to have a successful, enjoyable learning experience. Check the Schedules/Dates page for updates.
To be registered by a parent/guardian.
Instrument
Green Bodkin Music Shirt
*Contact Ms. Cox if you have any difficulty acquiring the materials above!
For a list of RECOMMENDED BRANDS or LOCAL MUSIC STORE RENTAL FLYERS, click Here and scroll down.
While Zeswitz Music is Ms. Cox Forbes's preferred vendor for beginner instrument rentals, please rent from whomever you are most comfortable with!
Option 1: Rent from local music store (rates vary from about $15/mo. to $30/mo. depending on instrument and music store).
high quality instrument
some stores will include minor repairs with rental
pay a little each month
rates vary by store (comparing is recommended)
most stores allow you to switch instruments throughout rental process
Option 2: Purchase from local music store.
high quality instrument
store relationship established for future maintenance and repairs
pay up front
cost varies by store (comparing is recommended)
Option 3: Borrow from family member or friend.
repairs may or may not be needed
string instruments may be the wrong size for child (I can measure the student in school)
Free excluding buying a book and accessories
Option 4: Borrow from school.
A LIMITED NUMBER OF INSTRUMENTS ARE RESERVED FOR FAMILIES IN FINANCIAL NEED.
Varying qualities of instruments
Free excluding buying a book and accessories
Parent/guardian responsible for repair/replacement costs should the instrument get damaged.
**A parent/guardian must write a note or email Ms. Cox to indicate the need to borrow a school instrument. No note = no instrument.
Worst/Riskiest option: Purchase on Amazon or eBay.
Brands not listed in the registration letter are generally poorly made.
Many music stores refuse to repair instruments sold online. That means instead of paying for a repair, you have to pay for an entirely new instrument.
Poorly made instruments break easily, sound poorer, and are harder to play.
Even if you are able to find an approved brand online, it could be very old and need hundreds of dollars of repair work. Nothing is really guaranteed.
If you don't already have a shirt or one to use from an older sibling,
make the *$13-per-shirt payment asap. Payment accepted as:
- Cash (exact amount only)
- Check (made out to Bodkin Elementary)
- Or electronic payment via OSP (OSP adds a 4% convenience fee at checkout) Access by going to the Bodkin ES homepage>Online School Payments>Select Bodkin under "Elementary">Complete checkout for Music t-shirt payment.
You should ideally rent/purchase the instrument by the week of September 15 but no later than October 1. Contact me with any conflicts.
Ms. Cox Forbes will be measuring ALL 3rd graders and sending home a blue paper with their measurement. Contact her if you lose the measurement.
4th and 5th graders: Ms. Cox Forbes can measure students who ask at school.
Otherwise, please use this helpful guide for figuring out what size violin or viola your child will need: Violin/Viola sizing information.
Please use this helpful guide for figuring out what size cello your child will need: Cello sizing information
Band instruments only come in one size - no measuring or sizing needed!
Yes - many music stores send or mail me flyers: click Here and scroll all the way to the bottom for those flyers. While Zeswitz Music is Ms. Cox Forbes's preferred vendor for beginner instrument rentals, please rent from whomever you are most comfortable with!
There sure are! For a list of RECOMMENDED BRANDS, click Here and scroll down.
A bell kit! This would include bells, mallets, a practice pad, drumsticks, and a carrying case of some kind (could be backpack or rolling case style). Your child does NOT need a snare drum and will be able to use a school snare drum in class.
No news is good news! It is likely you will be contacted in late September if there is not a school instrument available for your child. Contracts will be sent home early in the 2023-2024 school year. Once the signed contract is returned, the student may take the instrument home to practice.
Remind your child learning an instrument can be a long process...and is even moreso in our virtual learning environment. Have your child check in with me about the issue during my office hours. Ms. Cox will help! It's what she's here for!
It's very normal for strings to lose their tension. Students may bring their instrument to Ms. Cox Forbes as they enter the school building for her to tune it. Is it the weekend or a long break from school? Music stores tune string instruments for free - just call ahead to make sure someone who knows how to is available.
That's ok! Coming soon is the "Getting Started" tab. As long as you are supportive and willing to set aside a time and place for your child to practice throughout the week, your child can still be successful! Ms. Cox Forbes will be sending emails and updating this website to keep you informed about Music Parent Pro-Tips.
It is my philosophy that students should be able to explore other areas of interest while still participating in a music ensemble. For that reason there are no obligations outside of the school day besides the two evening concerts, one in the winter and one in the spring. Home playing is highly encouraged (but not required!) at a minimum of 50 minutes per week and you can split the time up to fit your child's schedule. Home music logs will NOT be graded, but will be used as an optional learning tool. Students can earn incentives by playing at home and having a parent fill out the music log to earn stickers toward the classroom prize box. This way, if students are unable to play at home, they are not penalized. Students can still achieve the highest cultural arts grade if they are consistently demonstrating the skills taught in class. Worst case scenario: your child doesn't practice, but still enjoys music and is progressing because Ms. Cox Forbes teaches lessons as if students are not able to play at home! The only time I recommend that a student forego signing up for lessons is when adding just one more thing to his/her plate will super-stress them out, or if they seem like they will be miserable playing an instrument!
Ms. Cox Forbes can actually help a household adult fix a couple things - replace a broken string, put the bridge back in place (as long as it's in one piece), or do minor key adjustments. Music stores are accommodating string tuning (a really loose string), string replacement (you'll have to purchase the string), and some do on the spot mouthpiece pulls for stuck mouthpieces. Just call ahead to verify they will do that for you on the spot (and usually free of charge!). If something broke into two or more pieces, it will definitely have to go to a music repair store. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Cox Forbes for help!
Students' report card grades will be based on a minimum of three grades given during a quarter. The grades will be based on skill assessments including basic application of performance technique, mini-scales, scales, rhythms, and music symbols. Students have multiple opportunities to demonstrate the skills, so often you will observe their grade improve over the quarter after the first initial skill assessment. "Concert grades" are based on students' performer and audience etiquette which we discuss in detail leading up to the concert. Please notify me in writing if there is a conflict with either concert.
No. BUT we hope you will encourage your child to join - Bodkin Elementary has a longstanding tradition of excellence, pride, and passion in music. The combination of academic, physical, and social benefits are unparalleled by any other class offered during the school day, even through high school. It's one of the ONLY LONG-TERM areas of study that students can commit to through twelfth grade. Additionally, it's one of the only courses where the student will have the same teacher for consecutive years through those studies, the benefits of which are huge. The teachers and I work very hard to make sure each child is able to be successful in all of his or her classes, including instrumental music. Though almost all of our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders opt to take instrumental music lessons, ultimately it is you and your child's decision whether to register for lessons this school year.