Getting Started

As an introduction to the instrumental music program offered at Blanchard, your child recently participated in a demonstration of band instruments at school. The Blanchard Band program is open to any child in the 4th, 5th or 6th grade. The goal of this program is to give your child an excellent introduction to instrumental music in a supportive and fun atmosphere. Students meet for Beginning Band rehearsal on Thursdays from 3:20-4:15pm and also take private lessons from instrumental instructors. The first rehearsal is Thursday, October 13th. Private lessons will start the week of September 19th. The instruments that comprise the band are typically: flute, oboe, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone, French horn, baritone, tuba and percussion. If your child would like to participate in band, please complete the enclosed registration form and return it to me by Wednesday, September 14th. Financial aid is available in the form of the Charles Garabedian Scholarship. More information is provided below.

Step One: Acquiring an Instrument

You may rent an instrument from French Music. French Music Company has an excellent reputation for servicing our Blanchard students’ instruments and for furnishing quality, name brand instruments. Rental of instruments is on a rent-to-own basis. Joe Brogan, a representative from French Music Company, visits school every Wednesday to service rental instruments. If he is able to repair the instrument, he will do so on site. If he must take the instrument to the shop, he will leave a loaner instrument for your child. To rent from the French Music Company please attend their rental meeting at the high school cafeteria on Friday, September 16th from 4-6pm. You will sign a rental contract and pay the first installment at that time. If you cannot attend, please rent online at davidfrenchmusic.com.

You may rent or buy an instrument from a local music store. Minor Chord (Littleton), Music and Arts, Leonard's Music (Bedford) and K and C Music Co. (Norwood) have rental programs. Make sure the instrument you are renting is in perfect working order and that the store has insurance and loaner programs. If you are purchasing an instrument online, make sure that it is on an approval basis. Your private lesson instructor can advise you about the condition of your instrument. If you are acquiring an instrument from another vendor, please specify that on the Band Registration form. The Blanchard Band Parents Organization maintains a small collection of instruments. Instruments, which may be loaned for a one-year period include the flute, clarinet, French horn, trumpet, trombone, baritone, tuba, snare drum and bells to name a few. If you are interested in a specific instrument, please contact me for availability. A loan agreement form and cleaning/repair fee will be required.

Step Two: Scheduling Private Lessons

The Blanchard private lesson instructors have all been carefully screened and are highly trained in their instrument of expertise. Lessons are half an hour in length once a week and are given at Blanchard, in most cases after school. They are held into the evening hours. Teachers will set up lessons at mutually convenient times with parents. The private lesson rate is $36 for a half hour lesson payable to ActonBoxborough Community Education. Blanchard Band private lesson rates are always very reasonable as compared with outside providers. A private lesson instructor will contact you. If you prefer, your child may study with a teacher outside of the Blanchard program, but please provide their name and phone number on the Band Registration form.

Step Three: Supplies

Your child will need to bring a small three ring binder (1/2” spine) with a pocket and a sharp pencil to each rehearsal and lesson. Please make sure your child’s name is on the binder and instrument case. Band music will be distributed at rehearsals and should be kept in the binder. Please use a music stand for home practicing to insure correct posture. French Music provides them for free with your instrument rental. Metronomes are also helpful during practice, although not required.

Step Four: Complete Registration Form

Please return the attached registration form to me by Wednesday, September 14th.

Blanchard Band Parent Organization (BBPO)

The Blanchard Band Parents Organization supports the band program in many important ways. Every band parent is invited to participate. Any parents helping out with band need to make sure their CORI's are up to date. CORI checks can be done at the main office during school hours. You will need to bring your driver's license. BBPO meetings are an opportunity for parents to learn more about the organization. Please join us for the first BBPO meeting: Monday, October 3rd at 7:30 p.m. on Zoom. A Zoom link will be emailed prior to the meeting date. More info on the BBPO can be found here.

Charles Garabedian Scholarship Fund

The Charles Garabedian Scholarship Fund was established by the BBPO in 1994 to provide scholarships for students whose families could not otherwise afford lessons. Funds are raised through donations, raffles and fundraisers. If private lessons are a financial burden for your family, please do not hesitate to contact me. If you are applying for a scholarship, please let AB Community Education know when registering for the private lessons. Scholarship applications are available from me, in the band mailbox in the office (pink form) and online by clicking here: Garabedian Scholarship Application Form. The due date for applications is September 30th. We will make every effort to meet the needs of every child who wants to study an instrument.

Chris Baird, Band Instructor

I am very excited to be directing the Blanchard Bands again this year. I would like to meet as many parents as possible, so please drop by the music room and say, “Hello.” Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions, concerns or suggestions. You can text or call me at 781-608-0890. My email is cbaird@abschools.org. I look forward to making great music with your students this year.