Instrumental Music Guide
Ms. Lexis Hutchinson
lexis_hutchinson@mcpsmd.org
Key Points of the Instrumental Music Program
Every 4th and 5th grade student who is physically able to participate in Instrumental Music, is welcome to join.
Instrumental Music is an optional, pull-out special. Students will miss class time. Parent/Guardian permission is required for participating in Instrumental Music and for unenrolling in Instrumental Music.
Lessons are held once a week for 30 minutes (extended to 45 minutes for full rehearsals before concerts).
Students need an instrument in order to participate. Parents/Guardians need to rent/buy an instrument or make a formal request via email to borrow an instrument from school.
Instruments/Supplies
4 ways to acquire instruments: Rent, Buy, Borrow from Family/Friends, Borrow from school.
Rent: It is highly recommended that parents/guardians rent their student’s an instrument with insurance included. Especially, for violin, viola, and cello where the instrument is sized to the student and most students will not start out with a full sized instrument. Most music stores will also allow for swapping out of instruments with the same pricing, with no fee or a small fee.
Borrow from Family/Friends: This is always a great option. For woodwinds and brass, please consider having the instrument professionally cleaned. For strings, please consider having the strings replaced (buying new strings and requesting Ms. Hutchinson to replace is an option).
Borrowing from School: School has a limited amount of instruments available and oftentimes they are reserved for students who have financial need. If borrowing from school is needed, make a request to Ms. Hutchinson through email. lexis_hutchinson@mcpsmd.org
Supplies: All students regardless of renting or borrowing, need to make sure they have supplies for their instrument. Please check the supply list here for what is needed for your child’s instrument. Note: Snare Drum Kits are optional and Cello students should not buy additional strings in advance.
Instrumental Music Supply List
Curriculum
Instrumental Music Method Books are provided by MCPS. All other materials are provided by Ms. Hutchinson
All Level 1 and Level 2 Band and Strings students will be provided with Essentials Elements Book 1
Level 2 Students will also use an assortment of Grade .5-1.5 sheet music.
Level 1 and 2 Strings students will also use Suzuki Book 1 Exercises and Pieces (provided by Ms. Hutchinson)
Grading
Students are graded based on their performance of exercises and pieces.
Level 1 Students:
Technique—Posture and Embouchure
Pitch/Note Accuracy
Level 2 Students:
Technique—Posture and Embouchure
Pitch/Note Accuracy
Tone
Grading Scale for each Measurement Topic is:
A-The student consistently demonstrates mastery of the
grade-level standards taught this marking period.
B-The student frequently demonstrates mastery of the
grade-level standards taught this marking period.
C-The student periodically demonstrates mastery of the
grade-level standards taught this marking period.
D-The student rarely demonstrates mastery of the grade level standards taught this marking period.
M-Missing data – no score recorded
Attendance
It is important that students attend every lesson unless there is state testing, a field trip, or they are absent from school. Attending lessons consistently typically allows students to feel more comfortable and confident playing their instrument and relieves anxiety when it comes to our concert performances.
Students are expected to check the lessons’ schedule and arrive at their lesson on time.
Students need to come to lessons prepared with their instrument and materials (method book or sheet music).
Concert Performance
There will be 2 performances a school year, a Winter and Spring concert. Level 2 students will perform in both the Winter and Spring Concert. Level 1 students will only perform in the Spring Concert.
Students are required to perform in the concert unless a note is provided by a parent/guardian.
Performance Attire:
White Top (Long sleeved button down or polo; no t-shirts)
Black Bottoms (pants, skirts, dress; no sweatpants or shorts)
Silly Shoes
Further Expectations
Students are expected to arrive at their lesson on time each week. Students are excused from lessons for testing, field trips, and when they are marked absent from school.
Students who come to class without their instrument will be expected to quietly observe the lesson. After coming to class without their instrument more than 3 times, students will be sent back to class and their parents/guardians will be notified via email.
Students should practice for 10 minutes, 3 to 5 times a week, for a minimum of 30 minutes a week. Students will be provided with practice charts to track their progress. Practice charts need to be signed by a parent/guardian before being submitted to Ms. Hutchinson.