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Helping your student(s) choose what instrument is right for them can be really confusing! Going through the instrument options listed above with your student can help everyone feel more comfortable with your students' instrument choice. Please see the information below for the benefits of music education and some additional details on choosing an instrument.
Helping your student(s) choose what instrument is right for them can be really confusing! Going through the instrument options listed above with your student can help everyone feel more comfortable with your students' instrument choice. Please see the information below for the benefits of music education and some additional details on choosing an instrument.
Every year brings new challenges and adventures and this year will bring some extremely unique ones! In anticipation of the possibility of remote learning becoming necessary at any point this year, not all instruments offered in our ensembles will be offered to our beginners. As a department, we feel that limiting the instruments offered to start out will help all of our students find the most success. We are happy to help your student switch to another instrument of their choice later on when we are able to physically work in a more traditional classroom setting!
Every year brings new challenges and adventures and this year will bring some extremely unique ones! In anticipation of the possibility of remote learning becoming necessary at any point this year, not all instruments offered in our ensembles will be offered to our beginners. As a department, we feel that limiting the instruments offered to start out will help all of our students find the most success. We are happy to help your student switch to another instrument of their choice later on when we are able to physically work in a more traditional classroom setting!
Check out "How Playing an Instrument Benefits Your Brain" below!
Check out "How Playing an Instrument Benefits Your Brain" below!
Making music is AMAZING is for your student's brain! Even if they only play for a few years, music has been proven to help with their Social/Emotional Learning just as much as their Academic learning. Attributes like teamwork, pride in work, and hard work are all developed in music classrooms alongside eighth notes and rests.
Making music is AMAZING is for your student's brain! Even if they only play for a few years, music has been proven to help with their Social/Emotional Learning just as much as their Academic learning. Attributes like teamwork, pride in work, and hard work are all developed in music classrooms alongside eighth notes and rests.
Your students's physical characteristics
Your students's physical characteristics
If your student wants to play flute or trombone, their arm should be at least 19 inches (from armpit to first knuckle). If their arm is not yet 19 inches long, they can still play the instrument! They might just need to make adjustments to help them play the instrument.
If your student wants to play flute or trombone, their arm should be at least 19 inches (from armpit to first knuckle). If their arm is not yet 19 inches long, they can still play the instrument! They might just need to make adjustments to help them play the instrument.
If your student wants to play a stringed instrument (violin, viola, cello, bass), they are available in fraction sizes (like 1/4, 1/2, or 3/4). You can visit THIS SITE to help learn how to measure your student's arms/torso to learn what size they'll need when they start. (Note: violas are measured in inches, like 13" or 15")
If your student wants to play a stringed instrument (violin, viola, cello, bass), they are available in fraction sizes (like 1/4, 1/2, or 3/4). You can visit THIS SITE to help learn how to measure your student's arms/torso to learn what size they'll need when they start. (Note: violas are measured in inches, like 13" or 15")
Your student's pitch sensitivity
Your student's pitch sensitivity
Pitch sensitivity refers to the ability to hear different pitches (notes) and how they relate to one another. For example, imagine hearing one note, and then hearing another, different note. Having a high pitch sensitivity means that it's easier for you to tell if the second note was higher or lower than the first note. Sounds easy, but it can get pretty hard! You can try taking the test yourself, by clicking HERE.
Pitch sensitivity refers to the ability to hear different pitches (notes) and how they relate to one another. For example, imagine hearing one note, and then hearing another, different note. Having a high pitch sensitivity means that it's easier for you to tell if the second note was higher or lower than the first note. Sounds easy, but it can get pretty hard! You can try taking the test yourself, by clicking HERE.
There are also some instruments that children with a higher degree of pitch sensitivity have an easier time starting and are more successful earlier. If your child does NOT have a high degree of pitch sensitivity, it doesn't mean that they won't be successful; they will just have to work a bit harder to develop their ears!
There are also some instruments that children with a higher degree of pitch sensitivity have an easier time starting and are more successful earlier. If your child does NOT have a high degree of pitch sensitivity, it doesn't mean that they won't be successful; they will just have to work a bit harder to develop their ears!
Your student's teacher will be able to help explain our district protocols and how the selection process works. Also, keep in mind that sometimes students will start on one instrument and then transition to another when they're older. If your student has a disability that isn't mentioned on this site, work with your teacher to find some modifications for the instrument that your student would like to play.
Your student's teacher will be able to help explain our district protocols and how the selection process works. Also, keep in mind that sometimes students will start on one instrument and then transition to another when they're older. If your student has a disability that isn't mentioned on this site, work with your teacher to find some modifications for the instrument that your student would like to play.
West MS
West MS
Orchestra and Band- Mr. Matthew Harris
Orchestra and Band- Mr. Matthew Harris
mharris1@rochester.k12.mi.us
Orchestra and Band- Mrs. Erin Holden
Orchestra and Band- Mrs. Erin Holden
eholden@rochester.k12.mi.us
Van Hoosen MS
Van Hoosen MS
Band- Mrs. Kelsey Folmar
Band- Mrs. Kelsey Folmar
kfolmar@rochester.k12.mi.us
Orchestra- Mr. Keenan Thomason
Orchestra- Mr. Keenan Thomason
kthomason@rochester.k12.mi.us
Hart MS
Hart MS
Band- Mrs. Amy Rever-Oberle
Band- Mrs. Amy Rever-Oberle
areveroberle@rcs-k12.us
Orchestra- Mr. Keenan Thomason
Orchestra- Mr. Keenan Thomason
kthomason@rochester.k12.mi.us
Reuther MS
Reuther MS
Band- Mr. Christopher Owen
Band- Mr. Christopher Owen
cowen@rochester.k12.mi.us
Orchestra- Mrs. Erin Holden
Orchestra- Mrs. Erin Holden
eholden@rochester.k12.mi.us
Instrument Rental Information
Instrument Rental Information
Students will have the opportunity to rent an instrument through one of the music vendors that service your school. Instruments can be rented online and picked up at your school during your school's designated Rental Night date. More information regarding Rental Night at your school and which vendors are available to you will be sent to you by your student's teacher.
Students will have the opportunity to rent an instrument through one of the music vendors that service your school. Instruments can be rented online and picked up at your school during your school's designated Rental Night date. More information regarding Rental Night at your school and which vendors are available to you will be sent to you by your student's teacher.
As always, you are welcome to research different companies and pricing. We encourage you to contact us regarding financial difficulties, purchasing of an instrument, or general questions. We want to create the best experience for your student in our classes! Stay tuned for more info, and we look forward to meeting you soon!
As always, you are welcome to research different companies and pricing. We encourage you to contact us regarding financial difficulties, purchasing of an instrument, or general questions. We want to create the best experience for your student in our classes! Stay tuned for more info, and we look forward to meeting you soon!
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