Fifth grade is the first year that students at Coudersport can participate in the band. Students will start the year with small group instrumental lessons so they can learn the basics of their instrument. After the winter break students will begin rehearsing as an ensemble to prepare for the Spring Concert which will be held on May 5th at 7:00 pm at the Jr/Sr High School.
Students at Coudersport Elementary School can choose to play any of the following instruments: Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone/Euphonium, Tuba, and Percussion (Drums). Videos for these instruments can be found on the Helpful Links Page.
We currently do not offer stringed instrument lessons.
Students that sign-up for band will be given one 30 minute instrumental lesson per week. These lessons will be conducted in small groups which are usually no more than three students. Lessons occur during the first half of the school day. Depending on where your child's lesson is scheduled they may miss part of their morning classes.
A lesson schedule will be sent home with your child shortly after we hold our Instrumental Rental Night on September 4th. This will let you and your child know the days and time of their small group lesson so you can make sure they have their instrument that day.
Students will need an instrument and a book. Information on instruments can be found below and on the Instrument Rentals Page.
We use a lesson book titled Standard of Excellence - Book 1. If you rent through Robert M. Sides your child's instrument will come with this book. If you go another route you will need to purchase the book. You can do this through the Robert M. Sides website or you can buy the book at another retailer. Make sure that the book you purchase is Book 1 in the series and is the book for the instrument your child wants to play. If you have questions on this please feel free to email me at souellette@coudyschools.net
The preferred method for you to get an instrument is to use Robert M. Sides Family Music Center's online rent to own program. Please click the video to the video to the left to find out more about this program.
Robert M. Sides will be at the Coudersport Elementary Cafeteria on Thursday, September 4th at 6:00 pm for Rental Night.
This is your opportunity to speak directly to their associates about renting or purchasing an instrument. If you fill out the Google Form on the "Sign Up Form" page and indicate your child's preferred instrument they will bring one for you to take home that night.
If you are unable to attend the rental night you can CLICK HERE To go to Robert M. Sides' online rental page.
Robert M. Sides offers free school delivery so after you complete the online forms your child's instrument will be delivered to the school for their first lesson.
If you cannot afford the rent to own program we do have a select amount of instruments that have been donated to the school for student use. Your child may borrow this instrument for the duration of the school year. Know that this option does not come with a protection plan. If something were to happen to the school's instrument while in your child's care you would be financially responsible for the damages. We offer these instruments on a first come first serve basis and ask that you be understanding should we not have an particular instrument for your child.
I always caution parents against buying a cheap instrument online. I have seen many instruments purchased through various online marketplaces come through my doors and rarely is it a pleasant experience for all those involved. Usually these instruments are made of inferior metals that lead to a quick deterioration in their playing ability, meaning you may end up spending the cost of a rent-to-own instrument in just keeping your purchased instrument in playing condition. Occasionally these instruments arrive broken or not set-up to play. More often then not these instruments make it difficult for a child to succeed as they are difficult to play or have issues that make it impossible to keep the instrument in tune.
That being said, sometimes you luck out and find a great deal on a decent instrument. Should you want a second opinion on an online purchase I'd be happy to lend my knowledge. Send me an email at souellette@coudyschools.net and I'll provide any information I have. Please know that I'm not an encyclopedia of instrument brands. I've seen many over the years but not all of them. I do not carry a money back guarantee with my advice.
If you already have an instrument at home but it hasn't been played in a few years it may need some basic maintenance. Most retailers will give you a free estimate on repairs.
Repair Shops in our Area:
Robert M. Sides (Will pick up the instrument at the Elementary School and return it if/when it is repaired)
Presque Isle Brass and Woodwind Service (Erie, PA)