Additional Opportunities

LESSONS

Lessons for continuing band and orchestra musicians are STRONGLY recommended. You learn a lot in class but it's not the right place for one-on-one instruction, and bad habits that go uncorrected will only get worse. Many kids compare themselves to others around them, especially to those who are the leaders in the section, and a small amount of self-doubt in their ability will grow over time. PLEASE consider weekly private or semi-private lessons for your child.

I don't have time in my schedule for regular lessons after school, but I do have time to see kids now and then. All are welcome to stop by after school for extra help or for a refresher on any instrument. I am most interested in instruments that are played in our school ensembles (band, orchestra, jazz band)

Lessons are expensive, but a necessary expense we do for our kids! There are no bargains to be found! Please consider our own program of music lessons:

Newton Public School's Music Lesson Extension Program (MLEP)

https://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Page/782

The Fine Arts Department of the Newton Public Schools offers students the opportunity for private instrumental music lessons for students in grades 5 – 12 through MLEP.

Professional instrumental music teachers who work and perform in the Boston area staff the program as instructors. Lessons will be taught on a weekly basis beginning in the fall and continuing throughout the school year. Lessons scheduled during the summer months are not administered through the Fine Arts Department and must be arranged directly with your child’s instructor.

Lessons will consist of instruction on a one-to-one student/teacher ratio for 30 to 45 minutes per week unless other arrangements are made with the teacher. Parental agreement with teacher recommendation for extended or combined lessons may be coordinated where scheduling is possible.

Students who elect to participate band and orchestra in grades 5-12 are strongly encouraged to enroll in private lessons either through the MLEP or elsewhere. These rehearsal/performance ensembles do not focus on instrument instruction and rely on students developing proficiency on their instrument through private lessons and daily practice.

Newton All City Ensembles:

https://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Page/781

Newton Public Schools All City Music Ensembles provide students who have a deep commitment to singing or playing their musical instrument with an opportunity to join like-minded students from across the district in an extra-curricular performance ensemble. Students are selected by audition in the late spring or fall and rehearsals are held after-school at least one afternoon per week.

ELIGIBILITY: Participation in an All City Music Ensemble is restricted to students currently enrolled in Newton Public Schools and Newton students who reside in Newton and are Home Schooled.

Boston-area Ensembles:

Here are some wonderful instrumental performance opportunities for advanced and motivated students. They meet on weekends, are tuition-based, and you must audition for each one.

It is my hope that students who get into these groups still play in their school ensemble! That is what these groups expect, and it's the best way to "give back" to the group that got them to such a high level.

BYSO (Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra) formerly GBYSO http://www.bysoweb.org

Festival Youth Orchestra (at New England Conservatory) http://necmusic.edu/fyo

Community Youth Orchestra http://www.communityyouthorchestra.com/index.html

Longy School of Music (http://www.longy.edu/prep_studies/prep_orch_choir.htm

Rivers School of Music orchestras (http://www.rivers.org/

New England Conservatory Preparatory Division http://necmusic.edu/prep

Junior MYWE (Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble) http://necmusic.edu/jrmywe

Metrowest Youth Symphony Orchestra (http://www.metyso.org/auditions.htm