Why should my child join Band or Strings?
Meet the Teachers
Ms. G started teaching band in 2018. Before CV, she taught for four years in the Erie Public Schools as a middle school band director teaching grades 6-8. Ms. Grondziowski holds a BM in Music Education from Mercyhurst University and a MM in Music Education from Carnegie Mellon University. She is also an Assistant Director for the CVHS Showband! When she’s not in the classroom or on the football field, Ms. G loves to read a good book and also likes to run her small business as an artist! She lives in Pleasant Hills with her husband and hopes to continue her career as a band director and inspiring little minds!
Mrs. Benson has taught 3rd-12th grade Orchestra since 2008 in IA, NC, MA, and now is thankful to be here at the IS in PA! She holds an MA in cello performance from the University of Iowa and a BME from Baldwin Wallace College (now University). Her husband, James, and she have two boys, Ian and Cameron, and two crazy English pointers, Molly and Remus. They spend lots of time romping outdoors in creeks and woods. Mrs. Benson also loves digging in the garden, quilting and listening to audio books. She looks forward to teaching all of CV's wonderful young musicians!
My child joined Band! Now What?
Band 1st Day Checklist
Rent an instrument
Purchase a Sound Innovation Book 1for your child's instrument from the different options: Sound Innovations Book 1
Percussion students please purchase Essential Elements Percussion Book 1 by clicking on the Percussion option.
Purchase an instrument care kit for your child's instrument from the drop down menu: Care Kit
Most instrument accessories are provided in this instrument care kit
Clarinets need a box of 2.5 Rico Royal reeds: Rico Royal Clarinet Reeds size 2.5
Please purchase this brand or Vandoren blue box. The quality of reeds matter!
Alto Saxophones need a box of 2.5 Rico Royal Reeds: Rico Royal Alto Saxophone Reeds size 2.5
Please purchase this brand or Vandoren blue box. The quality of reeds matter!
Alto Saxophones need a padded neck strap like this: Neck Strap
Percussionists: Need extra sticks? Snare Sticks, Bell Sticks
My child joined Strings! Now What?
Strings 1st Day Checklist
Rent an instrument- most 3rd grade students need a 1/4 size instrument- more info below
Purchase an Essential Elements Book 1 for your child's instrument
Violins/Violas need a shoulder sponge like this: https://tinyurl.com/bdexy3kz
Cellos need an endpin strap like this: https://tinyurl.com/2bvzsstf
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.
The local music stores listed below provide excellent customer service and high quality instruments to our students and families. A representative from Volkwein's visits the I.S. weekly to deliver instruments and supplies and provide any needed repairs or instrument exchanges, the other vendors visit as needed.
Volkwein's Music
138 Industry Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15275
(412) 788-5900 x610
https://www.volkweinsmusic.com/pages/rentals
Lewis Music Studeio
50 Abele Rd., Suite 1001
Bridgeville, PA 15017
(412)208-8794
http://lewismusicstudio.net/
Hollis and Germann Music
4136 Library Road (Route 88)
Pittsburgh, PA 15234
(412) 531-2781
https://www.hollisgermannmusic.com/rentals.html
Resonance Violins
530 Washington Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15228
(412) 344-7605
https://resonanceviolins.com/t-rental-rates.aspx
Lewis Music Studio
50Abele Rd, Suite 1001
Bridgeville, PA 15017
(412) 208-8794
http://lewismusicstudio.net/
Volkwein's Music
138 Industry Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15275
(412) 788-5900 x610
https://www.volkweinsmusic.com/pages/rentals
*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.
Flute- Gemeinhardt, Yamaha, Bundy, Armstrong
Clarinet- Buffet, Yamaha, LaBlanc, Bundy
Alto Saxophone- Yamaha, Selmer, Buffet, Bundy
Trumpet- Yamaha, Bach, King, Getsen, Selmer, Bundy
French Horn- Holton, Yamaha
Trombone- Yamaha
Percussion Kit- Pearl, Vic Firth, Ludwig, Yamaha
**Percussion Kit must have:
8 inch Tunable drum practice pad
2 1/2 Octave set of orchestra bells
Height adjustable stand
Mallets and drumsticks
ORCHESTRA
Amati
Baroque VS
Carlo Lamberu
Eastman
Franz Hoffman
Johannes Kohr
Klaus Mueller
Otto Ernst Fischer
Resonance
Rudolph Doetsch
Samuel Shen
Scott Cao
Snow
Yamaha
Yuan Qin