6th Grade Band - MES

Welcome to a new school year and another year of music! I sincerely hope that you and your child had time to relax, rejuvenate, and spend quality time together this summer.

Before I say anything else, I want to thank you for helping your child to make the choice to continue in music. Excitement can sometimes taper as children realize that learning a new language (music) is no easy feat. But through it all, they are learning so much more.

We have a great year planned and so many things to look forward to from the group, and I am thrilled that your child will be a part of it.

We will spend these first few weeks of school getting reacquainted with music. I'm sure it will come to no one's surprise that many of us spent our summer days thinking about anything other than school. That's absolutely OK! It's healthy to take a break to recharge our batteries. We plan to start slow.

Once we get back into the routine of music making, I think you will really begin to notice how the group's sound is maturing, the music is becoming more exciting, and the ensemble members are forming stronger friendships and bonds with one another. That is the beauty of continued involvement in a musical group.

Practice Time:

Some students may be taking an instrument for the first time this year, and some may be returning players. Having a new instrument in your hands is very exciting and students are usually very motivated to get their new instrument out of it’s case at home and work on those first sounds or songs. After a few weeks though, some of that momentum starts to fade and practicing starts to become a battle.

Developing good practice habits is directly tied to student success. Here are some strategies to help motivate your student:

1. Refer to practice time as playing time. Perception is everything!

2. Tie playing time to homework time. Make practicing your instrument part of your homework. Even 10 minutes a day will yield good results, and won’t feel like a burden.

3. Encourage your student to get their instrument out and play a song for you.

4. Keep track of playing sessions and offer a reward that you mutually agree on when a certain number of sessions is reached. For young players a balance of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation is very helpful.

5. Plan for playing time. Schedule playing time as you would any other commitment ( like sports practice ). Students have busy lives and practice that is left to chance often doesn’t happen.

6. Encourage your student to set a goal for their playing time that is realistic and achievable. When the goal is met ( or progress made ), that playing session is complete.

Happy playing!

Lessons

This year students will have the opportunity to participate in individual/ small group lessons both virtually and in person. Lessons will be scheduled as the students learning schedule allows.

5th grade students may chose to learn flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, euphonium/baritone, drum or bells.

6th grade students may add tenor saxophone, bass clarinet, oboe, french horn and tuba to that list if they have studied one of the 5th grade instruments for one year.

Lessons will be held in person in small groups once a week.

Band rehearsals will be held twice a week for 30-40 minutes each rehearsal.

Instruments

Instrument rentals and music book purchases can be arranged through Ellis Music. www.ellismusic.com I strongly recommend renting an instrument if it is possible. Ellis offer high quality instruments at affordable prices. Their rental program includes all repairs during the rental period, loaner instruments when available and school service visits. Their weekly school service day is Friday. There is also a pool of school owned instruments available to families where cost may be a barrier to participation. These will be available on a 1st request/ need based basis. We cannot guarantee that the instrument your child is interested in will be available. Contact Mrs Adams for more information.

Rent, Buy or Borrow?

When you rent an instrument you get a high quality instrument and any repairs are covered and handled very quickly. A rent to own option is available. When you purchase a used instrument, in most cases that instrument will immediately need some repair work to be in top playing condition. On average, an instrument usually needs to go in for 1-2 repairs a year ( depending on your student ) and the average repair cost is around $100.

I am happy to evaluate any instrument you are interested in purchasing.

Please beware of cheap Amazon and Ebay instruments. Often they are not repairable due to the parts being unavailable to technicians. Contact me if you have any concerns.

School owned instruments are available to use for most instrument choices. There is no charge to use a school instrument, but they are used instruments. If they are damaged during the school year, there is no guarantee that the instrument can/will be repaired or replaced.

Our district instrumental music book is Sound Innovations for Concert Band for your student's particular instrument.