Mondays
Level 1 Strings A: Practice all of page 4 in your book.
Level 2 Strings A: Continue to practice your D major scale (#100). Also, practice #107.
Level 2 Brass: Keep working on your concert B-flat scale. Practice #3.29 and 3.34.
Level 1 Strings B: Practice all of page 4 in your book.
Tuesdays
Level 1 Clarinets A: Practice "Au Claire de la Lune," "Hot Cross Buns," and "Mary Had a Little Lamb" on page 4 of your book. Please refer to page 2 for instructions on how to assemble your clarinet, and page 3 for pictures of how to hold your clarinet. On page 4, look at the fingering charts under "Making Music" to remember the fingering for the notes E, D, and C.
Level 1 Strings C: Optional: practice the songs from your beginner sheet. In case you lost yours or were absent, click here to find the sheet for your instrument.
Level 1 Flutes: Practice "Au Claire de la Lune," "Hot Cross Buns," and "Mary Had a Little Lamb" on page 4 of your book. Please refer to page 2 for instructions on how to assemble your flute, and page 3 for pictures of how to hold your flute. On page 4, look at the fingering charts under "Making Music" to remember the fingering for the notes D, C, and Bb.
Level 1 Percussion 4th Grade: Practice all of page 5b.
Level 1 Woodwinds 5th Grade: Flutes: continue to practice making a sound on your head joint. Then, attach the body joint to the head joint and practice "Hot Cross Buns #1" and "Mary Had a Little Lamb #1" from your beginner sheets. (In case you lost yours or were absent, click here to find the sheet for your instrument.) Make sure you are holding your flute with your fingers on the correct keys. Use this picture as a guide: https://woodwindsforbeginners.weebly.com/uploads/2/3/9/7/2397932/published/img-9421.jpg?1529724384
Level 1 Percussion 5th Grade: Practice all of page 5b.
Level 2 Strings B: Continue to practice your D major scale (#100). Also, practice the top lines of #105 and 106. Optional: try #107. Remember to use your 4th finger for A on 105-107!
Level 1 Clarinets B: Practice "Au Claire de la Lune," "Hot Cross Buns," and "Mary Had a Little Lamb" on page 4 of your book. Please refer to page 2 for instructions on how to assemble your clarinet, and page 3 for pictures of how to hold your clarinet. On page 4, look at the fingering charts under "Making Music" to remember the fingering for the notes E, D, and C.
Fridays
Level 2 Percussion:
If you WERE in class on October 10: practice alternating double paradiddles (RLRLRR LRLRLL). Also, practice #3.17 and 3.18a.
If you WERE NOT in class on October 10: Practice alternating flam taps (LRR, RLL - do it in slow motion if you need!). Also, practice "For Percussion Only" on the top of page 18b, and practice #3.5.
Level 2 Flutes: Practice your FULL B-flat scale (Bb-C-D-Eb-F-G-A-Bb up and down). Here is your fingering chart. Also, practice #3.3 and 3.6.
Level 1 Trumpets: Practice the songs from your beginner sheet. In case you lost yours or were absent, click here to find the sheet for your instrument.
Level 1 Strings D:
Level 1 Low Brass 4th Grade: Practice the songs from your beginner sheet. In case you lost yours or were absent, click here to find the sheet for your instrument. If you want, you can also start working through your book.
Level 1 Brass 5th Grade: Practice buzzing your mouthpiece.
Level 2 Clarinets and Saxophones: Practice your full-octave concert B-flat scale. Practice #3.2, 3.3, 3.5, and 3.6.
Level 1 Saxophones: Practice assembling your mouthpiece, reed, and ligature. Then, practice blowing into it to make a sound. Remember to keep your cheeks from puffing out! It should look like this: https://i0.wp.com/howtoplaythesax.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/saxophone-mouthpiece-reed.jpg?resize=300%2C210&ssl=1
Click here to view the weekly schedule.
The concert dates for the 2025-2026 school year will be announced in the fall.
Each family is responsible for obtaining an instrument for their child(ren).
There are four options:
Renting an instrument from a local music store (recommended). Click "Local Music Stores" (below) for a list of reputable vendors in the area.
Purchasing an instrument (not recommended). Please do NOT purchase an instrument without consulting Mr. Klaus first. Most instruments on Amazon are of very poor quality.
Some families are able to obtain an instrument from a friend or relative; if you are unsure of the instrument's suitability, please contact Mr. Klaus.
Sligo Creek has a limited number of school instruments available to loan at no cost to families with financial need. Click here to fill out the form to request an instrument from the school. Please do not fill out this form before exploring option 1 above.
After you obtain an instrument, please click on "Instrument Supplies to Own" (below) to see a list of recommended accessories.
Bethesda Violins (violins and violas only)
Delivery-based business
301-272-1209
11151 Veirs Mill Rd., Wheaton, MD 20902
301-946-8808
Gailes' Violin Shop (string instruments only)
10013 Rhode Island Ave, College Park, MD 20740
301-474-4300
7010 Westmoreland Ave, Takoma Park, MD
301-270-9090
Lashof Violins (string instruments only)
1 East Diamond Ave., Ste. F, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
301-330-2606
L & L Music Wind Shop (band instruments only)
7 Metropolitan Ct., Suite #3, Gaithersburg, MD 20878
301-948-7273
21040 Frederick Rd Suite B, Germantown, MD 20876
301-353-1113
12274 Rockville Pike Suite K, Rockville, MD 20852
301-881-6440
Potter Violins (string instruments only)
7711 Eastern Ave., Takoma Park, MD
830 Muddy Branch Rd., Gaithersburg, MD 20878
301-652-7070
1-800-317-9452
306 E Diamond Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
301-948-7478
Orchestra Supplies
Violin:
music stand (for home use)
shoulder rest (make sure to select the right size for your child’s violin)
Viola:
music stand (for home use)
shoulder rest (it says it’s for violin, but this will fit 13-inch and 14-inch violas)
Cello:
music stand (for home use)
All orchestra students: String Basics: Steps to Success for String Orchestra, Book 1. This book will be provided for all level 1 students free of charge. Level 2 students who have lost their book from last year should purchase a replacement copy. Make sure you purchase the correct book for your instrument!
Band Supplies
Flute:
music stand (for home use)
Clarinet:
music stand (for home use)
extra reeds (suggested: strength 2)
Alto Saxophone:
music stand (for home use)
extra reeds (suggested: strength 2)
Trumpet:
music stand (for home use)
Trombone:
music stand (for home use)
Euphonium:
music stand (for home use)
Percussion:
music stand (for home use)
snare drum stand (make sure you get the taller one)
All band students: Measures of Success, Book 1. This book will be provided for all level 1 students free of charge. Level 2 students who have lost their book from last year should purchase a replacement copy. Make sure you purchase the correct book for your instrument!
One of the best ways to excel on your instrument is to study with a private teacher. Contact Mr. Klaus if you would like a list of local private lesson teachers.
Set aside a specific time and place to practice.
Practice in a room without distractions such as TV, video games, etc.
Practice for short periods of time (10-30 minutes) rather than 90 minutes in one day.
Perform for family members on a regular basis.
Say - Finger - Play
This strategy can help a musician learn a difficult section of music.
First, say the name of the notes you are trying to play. Repeat until all hesitation is gone.
Next, finger the notes on the instrument while saying the name of the note . Repeat until all hesitation is gone.
Finally, play the instrument. You should be able to perform the section better! If not, repeat steps one and two.
This strategy breaks down the many steps a musician must go through to play an instrument.
Use a METRONOME to keep a steady tempo as you practice.
Flash Cards
On one side of an index card, write the name of a note you have learned.
On the other side of the card, draw the musical staff (5 lines), the clef for your instrument (treble, alto, or bass clef), and the note named on the opposite side of the card.
Repeat these steps until you have a stack of cards for every note you have learned on your instrument.
Try the following activities with the flash cards:
A family member can hold up the note side of a flash card and have the student call out the name of the note. Begin by giving a certain amount of seconds to answer. Decrease the amount of time as they get faster at answering.
A family member can hold up the letter side of a flash card and have the student play the note. Again, begin by giving a certain amount of seconds to answer. Decrease the amount of time as they get faster at answering.
The student can also do these activities without a family member by picking a card, answering the question, and turning over the card to see if their answer is correct.