Why should my child join Band or Strings?

Grading 

Students receive a weekly lesson grade that tracks their progress throughout the year. Students who show up to their lessons without instruments/books/pencils etc. will have points deducted from their weekly lesson grade. Students who miss their lessons without speaking to their music teacher first will receive a "0" for the week. (Sicknesses/absences not included)

Students will be graded based on their lesson preparedness, weekly practice, instrument techniques, and behavior each week. 

Band students will receive a grade for their Music Karate Challenge to ensure that they are keeping up with the expected progress of materials throughout the year. Students are expected to practice book materials as well as concert music each week. An outlined schedule for each level will be handed out at the beginning of the year. Parents will be notified if their child is not keeping up with the expected karate music challenge exercies. 

First year players are only expected to perform for the spring concert in May. They receive one grade for their attendance/participation in the concert. Second and third year players are expected to perform in the winter and spring concerts, receiving a grade for both concerts. 

Year-long Commitment 

Instrumental lessons are a year long commitment. Though playing an instrument is a special skill that your child may carry with them throughout their lives, it is not easy. Please speak with your child to ensure that learning an instrument is something that they would really like to proceed with. Playing an instrument requires weekly practice and constant hard work to achieve success. Students who do not practice or who do not put forth the effort required to learning an instrument may struggle. Students are not permitted to drop lessons mid-year and are expected to perform in the concerts outlined above.  

FAQs

What instruments can my child choose from this year?

3rd Grade: Strings- violin, viola, cello or bass

4th & 5th Grade: 

Strings- violin, viola, cello, or bass  

Band- flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone, or percussion (keyboard percussion and Snare/Bass)

Will my child miss core instruction for instrumental lessons?

Instrumental lessons typically take place during I & E (intervention & enrichment) time when no new instruction takes place.  There may be certain circumstances that require your child to  have their lesson during a core subject or during recess. We try to accommodate all students and their needs, but scheduling does not always allow for lessons to always take place during I & E.  If they do miss class instruction, they are responsible for making up any missed work. 

How often will my child have lessons?

The Intermediate School runs on a 5-day rotation.  You child will receive a 30-40 minute lesson on the same day and time once every rotation.  

Will my child have lessons on a 1/2 day or day with a party schedule?

On instruction days with altered schedules, classroom teachers choose whether or not their students can miss class for their regular instrumental lesson time.  Lesson times do not change due to the puzzle of scheduling hundreds of kids at three grade levels.

2-Hour Delays: The instrumental lesson schedule remains the same regardless of the 2-hour delay schedule.  Lessons before 10:30AM will be cancelled, but will occur as regularly scheduled when students arrive at school.

1/2 Days: The instrumental lesson schedule remains the same regardless of the 1/2 day schedule.  If we have an 11:30 dismissal, morning lessons will be held as planned, but afternoon classes will be cancelled.  

Classroom Parties- The instrumental lesson schedule remains the same regardless of party schedule.  If the party begins at 2pm, lessons will occur normally until 2pm and then will be cancelled during the party time.

How many concerts will my child have?

3rd Grade Strings: 1 concert in May

4th Grade Band: 1 concert in May

4th Grade Strings: 2 concerts- 1 in December and 1 in May

5th Grade Band & Strings: 2 concerts- 1 in December and 1 in May

What is the difference between the Green, Red, Blue, and Gold ensembles?

Green: Strings only.  This is a beginner level strings ensemble.  Most beginning 3rd grade Strings students will be in the "Green Strings."

Red: 

Band- This is a beginner level band ensemble.  Most beginning 4th grade Band students will be in "Red Band."  

Strings- This is a mostly second year strings ensemble.  Most 4th grade Strings students will be in "Red Strings."

Blue: 

Band- This is a mostly second year band ensemble.  Most 5th grade Band students will be in "Blue Band."  Beginning 5th grade students will work with Ms. G throughout the year to be       able to play in the blue band in the spring. 

Strings- This is a mostly third year strings ensemble.  Most 5th grade Strings students will be in "Blue Strings."

Gold: 

Band- This is a band ensemble for only the most advanced students.  All "Gold Band" members will play with the "Blue Band," but will also learn a challenge piece or two for each concert.

Strings- This is a strings ensemble for only the most advanced students.  All "Gold Strings" members will play with the "Blue Strings," but will also learn a challenge piece or two for each concert.

 Rental Information

If you choose to rent an instrument from a music dealer, you are entering into a formal contract. Each store offers a unique rental package. Many of these vendors offer rental credits to put the money spent each month toward the purchase of a new instrument.* It is best to visit each website for the most complete information- please see the chart below for information on each rental institution. 

Why is renting more beneficial than purchasing an instrument?

On top of having a small monthly payment for a brand name instrument, students and families can be worry free if an instrument needs a repair. The rental companies outlined above offer rental insurance and will swap out instruments for free, which would otherwise be costly to fix. 

Students are able to try their instrument and play on a reputable instrument, which allows students to ultimately be more successful. 

This is especially true for string instruments:

• Students can start on ½ size (or smaller) instruments and change sizes as they grow without extra cost

Though the price tag may be tempting, inexpensive internet instruments are often impossible to keep in tune and to make sound like an instrument.  These “instruments” are more for decoration than learning.  No colorful instruments are permitted in our program. The familiar term "you get what you paid for" heavily applies to musical instruments. 

If rental is not possible, let Mrs. Benson or Ms. Grondziowski know. We can try and work something out through the school.

*Rental terms and agreements vary for each vendor, so please consult the rental agreement for the instrument that you have rented to see the terms and conditions.

PURCHASING AN INSTRUMENT?

Looking to purchase an instrument instead? Here are some lists of approved instrument brands. We do not allow colorful instruments (even if they look cool!) as they are often instruments that are low quality and do more harm than good.