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Introduction
Hello and welcome to the band program! we are very excited to have this opportunity to work with your child. Music and the arts are such an important, vital part of our world. They allow us to develop and express the creative, aesthetic side of ourselves. This is why music education is so important. It is one of the many necessary areas children must be given the opportunity to explore in order to help them develop into full, complete, well-rounded adults.
Renting vs. Buying
Please explore this slideshow and watch the video on the orange slide to learn all the details of your different options to obtain an instrument.
Most students will need to obtain their own instruments. Renting is a less expensive alternative to buying for the short term. Sometimes children switch instruments or drop out initially. Even if your child is very serious about playing and is going to continue through high school, renting an instrument at first is still a fantastic option as our two main companies use "rent-to-own new" programs. It is similar to leasing a car. You put money into an account each month that accumulates. After 2 or 3 years of renting you can use that accumulated money to pay for the remainder of a brand new instrument of your choice. The school will provide you with a lesson book, free of charge. If you are going to purchase an instrument for your child or receive one as a gift from a friend or family member, please consult either myself or a qualified music instructor for advice before you buy or accept a donation. Not all instruments are created equal and purchasing a low quality instrument can be very detrimental to a student's playing.
Grading
Students taking instruments will be given a grade on their report cards. They will be graded on three criteria and given an overall 3, 2, or 1. The first one states that students must understand their role and responsibilities as performing and listening musicians. This includes things like having all of their required materials (i.e. instrument, all music, folder or binder, practice sheet), participating in class and being respectful.
The second is that students show continual growth of skills and concepts. Students do not have to reach specific playing levels at specific times. As long as they are practicing for the required amount of time at home they will improve and do well.
The third states that students must actively engage in classroom activities. This includes things like playing when asked, answering questions, paying attention and doing their best to understand all new concepts taught.
If a student is sick or goes on vacation they are excused from practicing for that period of time. However, being busy or having a large amount of homework from their classroom teacher are not acceptable excuses for not practicing the required amount of time. Being successful and having fun in band depends a great deal on quality practicing almost every day.
Lesson Schedules
Every student will be assigned to a lesson group that will meet once every five days on the 5-day school schedule. You will be notified of this schedule via the Remind App and can always find the schedule on the Music and Band websites.
Full Band
All students have group lessons weekly through the year, but the full band plays separately from those times. 5th grade students who played last year will begin weekly full band practices during intervention 10 weeks before each concert. 4th and 5th graders who are starting an instrument for the first time this school year will not have full band rehearsals until later in the springtime after they have gained some proficiency on their instrument. 5th grade will have 2 concerts: December and May. 4th grade will have 1concert in May.
Home Practice
Practicing at home is an essential part of the success of any music program. Students should practice more days than not, including weekends, for 10-15 minutes each day. Please keep in mind, these are just the minimum amounts of time I would suggest. The more quality time a student puts in, the more they will get out of it. In addition, there will be a practice chart that each student must get signed by their parents/guardians each week before coming to lessons. Please be involved with your child’s musical development. Children do much better and enjoy playing so much more when their parents/guardians are involved and spur them on to practice!
Quitting Band
Despite everyone's best efforts, sometimes a student will decide that they do not wish to continue playing in band. If this happens we must be notified by an ADULT either by e-mail, voice mail, note, or in person as soon as possible if a student is quitting. We allow students to quit at any time in the school year as long as they have their parent/guardian's permission. Please remember that if you are renting an instrument, the company will continue to charge you monthly payments until it is returned. If your child quits band they will NOT fail the class or receive a bad grade on their report card. The band grade would simply be removed from their report card.
Playing an instrument is a lot of fun, but it does require a great amount of time and energy to learn. This is especially true when you are a beginner. Please encourage your child to stick with it. Most of the time if you can get a student over the initial frustration they really enjoy it and improve rapidly!
Mrs. Brandie Falk & Mr. Brian Tychinski
Band Teachers
724-850-2780 x2757
tychinskib@hasdpa.net
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