Elementary Schools

At the elementary level, lessons are offered once every five days on a rotating time schedule. The lessons are grouped homogeneously by instrument. The ensemble experience in elementary school is limited to a concert band and string orchestra, that runs from Mid-January until May, concluding with a performance at the annual spring concert of the individual elementary school. There is an elementary school honors orchestra and elementary school honors band for fifth grade students that perform a concert in the winter. Membership to the elementary honors band and orchestra are determined by a recommendation from the Pennsbury Instrumental Music Faculty.

Practicing is absolutely essential to learning a musical instrument. I have heard it blatantly stated “if you practice you will be successful and if you don’t – you won’t (pardon the double negative)!

Instrumental Music is the first time in your child’s educational career where teacher instruction occurs only one out of every five days. This places the major portion of learning on the individual student. In instrumental music, like sports, you are developing muscle and coordination skills, and therefore, daily practice is essential.

This is a brand new activity and your child may need some initial parental guidance in setting up his or her daily practice routine. Consistent times, as well as a designated “practice area”aid drastically in their development. A daily 15-20 minute practice time, 5 to 6 days a week, is recommended. Your child is never without homework. Teachers generally will mark a date on the lesson book of the work they are currently doing. Supplemental exercises may be added and may require a portion of daily repetition. If your child is absent and misses their scheduled lesson, he/she will continue to practice the current lesson until they see their teacher again.