Instrumental Music
Program Information

Please address questions to the instrumental music director:
Mr. Tim Dignen, email: tim.dignen@pgpcs.org

General information about the instrumental music program:
1. Instrumental Music is an approved, graded, and year-long instructional pull-out program.  It is open to students beginning in fourth grade.   Instrumental Music is a "life skills" course.  It teaches responsibility and commitment. 

2. Classes meet twice weekly for 35-minute periods during the regular school day. Students are released from other instructional classrooms to participate in instrumental music classes and are responsible for making up any missed classwork.  Teachers must provide missed work/instruction without penalty. 

3. Parents are required to provide an instrument and instrument supplies (available at local teacher-approved music stores). The outright purchase of an instrument is not recommended for a few reasons. Students playing violin, viola, cello, and double bass grow and will need to upgrade to larger instruments over time which music stores will provide if you rent from them. Brass and woodwind instruments are of better quality from a music store.

4. Instruction is for the entire school year and students are expected to attend class regularly as well as participate in the Winter and Spring concerts.  Students will receive weekly grades on their progress/attendance and will also receive a letter grade on their quarterly report card. There will also be other performance opportunities (Solo & Ensemble, Cluster Concert, etc.)

5. Many "specials" and "deals" can be found on the internet or in a store other than the teacher-approved locations.  These instruments will not last and will likely end up in the repair shop and cost you more money. Make the experience enjoyable and rewarding and take advantage of the specials at the rental stores! 

Quality, quality, quality.  A used quality instrument is better than a poorly made new instrument. 

When in doubt please communicate with Mr. Dignen.  I want to see each student succeed, which largely hinges on quality materials.  I am empathetic to a family's financial situation and want to help you find the best possible equipment that fits within your budget.

INSTRUMENTS OF ODD COLOR WILL NOT BE PERMITTED IN REHEARSAL OR PERFORMANCE.

6. Students are required to practice regularly at home. Specific assignments for home practice will be given each class and students will be expected to master them before the next class. Specific practice requirements will be determined by Mr. Dignen.

7. Instruments taught are: 

Strings Brass Woodwinds Percussion

Violin Trumpet Flute Snare/Bell Kit

Viola Trombone Oboe

Cello Horn Bassoon

String Bass Baritone/Euphonium Clarinet

 Tuba           Alto Saxophone


8. Dental work, such as braces, can make playing an instrument difficult, but not impossible. Please don't hesitate to get in touch with Mr. Dignen before you're able to buy the instrument.


9. If you are interested in enrolling your child in the instrumental music program, please return the ENROLLMENT FORM immediately. There is limited space for each instrument and classes are filled on a “first come” basis. Students turning in forms after a class is full will have to play their second or third choice instrument.


10. All instrumental music classes will begin the fourth week of school. Students must have their instrument and book by the second lesson to be enrolled in the class. No late entries will be allowed.


11. Instrumental music students are required to participate in at least two performances each year: the Winter Concert (January/February) and the Spring Concert (May).

Dear Parents/Guardians of Instrumental Music Students, 

Instrumental Music is a full-year graded course that will appear on your student's quarterly grade report. To better understand the grade that your child receives, students are graded as follows:

1. Assessment 30%
a. Tests
b. Quizzes
c. Playing tests
d. Written assignments

2. Homework 10%
a. Forms/Assignments returned on time
b. Written assignments
c. Practice journals

3. Participation, Effort, and Cooperation 60%
a. Promptness
b. Accuracy
c. Prepared for class
d. Materials check
e. Demonstration of appropriate behavior
f. Following class rules
g. Concert attendance

If you have any questions regarding the grading policy, please view the detailed grading policy and email me at tim.dignen@pgcps.org. Please remember that instrumental music is a full-year course. Students will receive a grade in instrumental music for the entire school year. Students who stop coming to class will receive an "incomplete" on their grade report. 

The Grading Policy (detailed version)

30% Assessment
Tests and quizzes consist of written material, announced playing tests, and unannounced playing tests. Playing tests may be retaken for a higher grade once the grade sheet is returned with a parent/guardian signature by the deadline notated on the graded test paper.

10% Assignment Preparation (Homework)
Students are expected to practice at least five days a week. Assignments will be given to the students to complete at home. Some homework assignments will require a parent or guardian's signature. Forged signatures on assignments will result in a grade of “0” and parents/guardians will be contacted.

60% Participation, Effort, and Cooperation
This includes having your instrument, music, and necessary equipment in the class, as well as classroom behavior and conduct. Each student automatically receives 10 points per day, and points are deducted for the following infractions listed below. The categories listed below are a guideline and the amount of points deducted will be based on the severity of the infraction. The student will always know when points have been deducted.
If a student feels they have been treated unfairly, they may appeal my decision outside of class at a later time.

Rarely used behavior deductions (reserved for severe incidents):

If a student just stops attending scheduled classes during the school year, he/she will receive a “0” (zero) which translates to a letter grade “E”. This grade will appear on the report card. It is every student’s responsibility to attend the scheduled classes that he/she agreed to attend when their parent/guardian signed them up for the instrumental music classes.

Concert Attendance
An unexcused concert absence will result in a full letter grade reduction of the final quarter grade.  Information about each concert will be sent home with students, posted on ClassDojo, and emails sent to parents who provided their email addresses.