Required Materials
1. An instrument in good playing condition (and for string instruments, one that is appropriately sized - click here for string sizing information)
Band Instruments & accessories
• Flute: Cleaning rod and soft cloth to clean out instrument after use
• Clarinet: Cleaning swab, cork grease and at least three Rico #2 1⁄2 strength reeds*
• Alto Saxophone: Cleaning swab, cork grease and at least three Rico #2 1⁄2 strength reeds*
• Trumpet: Valve oil and slide grease
• Trombone: Slide lubricant
• Percussion: Percussion kit that has a drum pad, orchestral bells, drum sticks and mallets.
*Reeds can be purchased by the box (approx. 10 reeds) at any music store
Orchestra Instruments
• Violin: Rosin, bow that tightens and loosens with screw, shoulder rest and cleaning cloth**
• Viola: Rosin, bow that tightens and loosens with screw, shoulder rest and cleaning cloth**
• Cello: Rosin, bow that tightens and loosens with screw, endpin anchor (preferred) or rock stop, and cleaning cloth
** Recommended shoulder rest brands are Viva, Kun, or Everest. Purchase the 3⁄4 or 4/4 size, even if your child has a 1⁄2 size violin. It will still fit.
2. Lesson Books
Band: Essential Elements Book 1 *Percussion will need to purchase Essential Elements AND The Vic Firth Snare Drum Method Book 1
Orchestra: Essential Elements Book 1
3. Folding wire music stand used for home practice
4. Luggage tag for instrument case
Instrument Rental Information
Instruments, accessories and lesson books are to be provided by the student and parent/guardian. A suitable instrument may already be available has a hand-me-down from a friend or relative; if not, the rental of a quality instrument from a local music retailer is our most highly recommended option.
**String instruments are made in multiple sizes to best fit students of different sizes. Most 4th grade students will not yet be tall enough to play a full size instrument. Students can easily be sized for a string instrument at the music store, or by the strings teacher prior to renting the instrument – don’t hesitate to contact your director with any questions regarding sizing.**
The local music instrument vendors listed below rent instrument brands that meet ASD’s elementary band and string teachers’ requirements:
Music and Arts
4380 Summit Bridge Road Suite 7 Middletown, DE 19709
Phone: 302-376-7600
http://stores.musicarts.com/middletown-de
Zeswitz Music
Phone: (877) 480-8224
https://www.ZeswitzMusic.com/rent
You are not required to rent or purchase from Music & Arts or Zeswitz. If you choose to obtain an instrument elsewhere, please make sure it meets your teacher's requirements and includes the required materials.
Lesson Policies
Lesson Schedule
Students attend weekly lessons for 30 minutes. Lessons are based on a rotating schedule to avoid missing the same class each week. Schedules will be made available to students and families, posted in homerooms, in the band and orchestra room and on school websites. In case of a school day schedule change, the director may need to adjust the schedule to accommodate lessons (i.e. assemblies, inclement weather, field trips). Every effort will be made to maintain the continuity of instruction.
Lesson Attendance Policy
Students must bring their instrument and lesson book to every lesson. The director is not responsible for instruments left in the school building overnight. Lesson attendance with instrument is vital for success and progress; therefore parent contact will be made if a student is unprepared for two consecutive lessons. After the initial two-week grace period, students without an instrument will be sent back to class. If a student is unprepared without an instrument more than three lessons in a marking period, it may be necessary to dismiss the student from the program at the director’s discretion.
Students are responsible for knowing when their lesson is and arriving on time. It is not the classroom teacher’s responsibility to remind the student to leave for his/her lesson. If students are in school that day, and choose not to attend their lesson, it will be considered unexcused. If a student has more than three unexcused lessons in a marking period, it may be necessary to dismiss the student from the program at the director’s discretion.
Home practice
Consistent home practice will reinforce the lesson concepts taught and help to develop the necessary skills needed for successful progress. Because individual practice needs will vary for each student, a minimum practice requirement for students has not been established. Instead, students will be graded on the quality of their performance via regularly administered playing tests and will be responsible for practicing as much as they will need to successfully complete these playing tests. Students should aim, as a starting point, to practice for 3 or more days each week for at least 15 minutes each time.
Grading/Assessments
Band/strings is a graded course on the report card. Each marking period your child will receive a grade (Pass/Fail), in addition to two competencies that receive a grade of 4, 3, 2 or 1: one for note and rhythm reading and one for instrument technique, indicated as "fundamentals" on the report card. Grades are determined by their performance in class each week. Rubrics are available from your instructor upon request.
Concerts and Performances
Students will perform in a spring concert as a large ensemble. Students are expected to perform at the concert. Parents/guardians should contact the instrumental director prior to the concert if there is a concern about their child’s concert attendance.
Student and Parent Responsibilities
Student Responsibilities
• Maintain good behavior at all times.
• Make up work missed while they were in their lesson.
• Be prepared to learn in each lesson. Set practice goals and work to achieve them.
• Students must bring their instrument and lesson book to every lesson.
Parent Responsibilities
• Provide your child with a suitable instrument and appropriate supplies.
• Encourage/remind your child to bring their lesson materials each week.
• Assist your child in setting appropriate practice goals, developing a practice routine, and providing a suitable practice environment at home.
• Most importantly, listen to your child play and praise him/her as often as possible. Attend student concert performances.
Commitment
Students are encouraged to commit themselves to playing their instrument all year. Students will not be allowed to switch instruments during the school year unless suggested/approved by the director. If the playing becomes difficult and/or the student loses interest, parents must inform the director in writing if they decide to discontinue participation in the program.