Students should come to their lessons with the following materials:
Instrument
Method Book
Ensemble music
Practice chart (if provided by teacher)
Pencil
Supplies (rosin, shoulder rests, rock stops, reeds, valve oil, swabs, etc)
You may get these materials at various local music stores and online. For orchestra materials, Stamell Strings in Amherst is an excellent resource (http://www.stamellstring.com/). For band materials, Gerry’s Music Shop (https://www.gerrysmusicshop.com/) visits the schools each week, and if you call them at 413-534-7402, they are able to deliver materials directly to your child’s school. If you wish to visit the store, they are at 80 Lamb Street (route 116) in South Hadley MA.
If you need assistance in providing your child with materials, please contact me as soon as possible; we have a limited number of instruments you can borrow for a $76 yearly maintenance fee.
Method Books
Strings (Beginning): Essential Elements Interactive for Strings, book 1, for the child’s instrument
Strings (Advanced): As recommended by the teacher
Band (Beginning): Essential Elements Interactive, book 1, for the child’s instrument
Band (Advanced): As recommended by the teacher
“I Forgot My Instrument”
It is difficult to teach children how to play their instruments if they don’t have instruments. It is helpful to put the instrument case by the door the night before the lesson day so that it is easier to remember during the morning rush.
If students have forgotten their instrument, they are still responsible for checking in with their teacher to get their assignment for the week.
If a child forgets their instrument 3 or more times in a row, we will have a conversation with the student, the student's teacher, and a phone call home will be made to determine the best solution. This could mean anything from setting up different kinds of reminders, leaving the instrument in the classroom and not bringing it home, or, in some cases, discontinuing lessons altogether. We will work with students/families on an individual basis to determine the best course of action.
Home Practice
Students need to develop new muscles and muscle memory to be able to play an instrument, and muscles only develop with daily practice. Playing an instrument 1-3 times weekly is not enough for a student to have success on their instrument. We understand that our lives are busy with sports practices and other after school activities, but we must still find time to practice each day.
In lessons, we will assign a practice assignment. Students will play their assignment each day at home working on accuracy of notes, rhythm, and other musical concepts as appropriate. To develop the necessary muscles for playing, they should practice 20 to 30 minutes each day. This is considered homework, and counts towards a grade. You wouldn’t skip your other homework, so please don’t skip your band homework. Learning to make music is worth it.
Band Instrument Repairs
If your instrument needs a repair, please first confer with Mrs. Templeton about the problem (I have a few tricks up my sleeve and can fix some issues), and together we will make a plan for the repair. The local music shop, Gerry's Music Shop, visits each Monday and can pick up instruments for repair, and drop them back off at the school the Monday after it's been fixed. This may take some time. While the instrument is being repaired, your student should still come to lessons to get the assignment and work on learning theory with their lesson group, but I will likely send them back to class after 10-15 minutes.
String Instrument Repairs:
If the instrument is from Stamell Strings or Gerry's, please contact the store as soon as possible to set up a time to have the instrument repaired. If it is something simple like a new string needs to be put on, please send your child to school with the instrument and the new string and we will put it on the instrument for you.
For school-owned instruments, please contact your child's teacher as soon as possible to let them know about the instrument. If the instrument cannot be fixed on the spot, we will take the instrument to repair ourselves or bring to a shop. Your child will get the instrument back once the repairs are complete.
Grading
We grade (taking into account the age and developmental ability of the students) on practice, cooperation, attention, bringing their materials to class, posture and hand position, technique and accuracy, tone, tonguing/bowing, note and rhythm reading skills, and group playing skills. Set your child up for success by having them practice every day, and having their instrument and book with them on lesson day.
Concerts:
Band and orchestra will perform in two concerts this year, one in the Winter and one in the Spring. See concert page for dates.
Beginner band and orchestra will perform one concert at the end of the school year. See concert page for dates.
Switching Instruments/Leaving the Program
Due to the challenges and limitations of this year school year, we will not be permitting mid-year switches. The instrument a child chooses in the fall is the instrument they will play throughout this school year. They are welcome to choose a different instrument next year. If, after some consideration, you and your child decide to discontinue instrument lessons this year, please provide us with a note or email explaining why your child is choosing to leave program. The child will remain enrolled in the program until we hear otherwise from the parent/guardian.