Why join band?
Many students and parents pose the question: Why take band? The answers to that question and the decisions resulting from it
have a profound impact on student’s lives.
Band is more than just playing notes, memorizing a few rhythms, attending
extra rehearsals, or opting for personal practice instead of an hour in front
of the television. The study of music
helps develop an appetite for all forms of learning. It teaches us: concentration, alertness, memory skills, and
self-control. It allows us to use
acquired knowledge to develop all aspects of life, including: values, ethics, and creative
decision-making. It reinforces all the
essential elements of our development as caring-sharing human beings, and
brings us to a higher level of emotional maturity. Ultimately, it allows us to have a greater understanding and
appreciation for life itself.
To a teenager, these concepts may seem well beyond their
grasp; however, a constant reinforcement of these ideals will stimulate that
often-forgotten side of the mind and begin to generate important introspective
questions which are the basis of personality development. Music can serve as an important bridge to
the building of positive self-esteem for every individual. It is a personal journey, and we (as parents
and teachers) can only point the way and lend our unconditional encouragement.
-Dr.
Tim Lautzenheiser, musician and educator
What is
the Elementary Band?
The
elementary band program is a voluntary group made up of students in fifth grade
who want to explore playing a musical instrument. Lessons begin the summer after 4th grade with a summer
lesson program. The summer lessons are
optional, but at least 75% of band students participate each year. During the school year, each student has a
20-minute small group lesson each week with rotating lesson times and one large
group rehearsal on a specified day. The program runs throughout the year and
the band will perform one evening concert in the spring. The elementary band
program is only the beginning of a positive musical experience that can take
them through their final year of high school.
Participation through the high school years is greatly encouraged.
Who
should participate?
All
fourth grade students are invited to participate in elementary band. Be assured that students of various learning
abilities have all participated successfully in band. Success on an instrument
is determined by the desire to succeed and the motivation to practice
consistently. Please view the
summer band program as an opportunity for a new musical experience. At the close of the summer, all students and
parents will be given the choice to continue in the program for the 2004-2005
school year.
How will
my child select an instrument?
Instrument
selection is based on the student’s personal choice, physical characteristics
necessary to play the instrument (ex. -jaw structure, teeth and lip formation,
hand size, etc.) and the instruments needed to provide a well-balanced band. Your child will meet with Mrs. Christenson
during the school day in late April to help in the selection of an instrument
best suited to his or her personal characteristics.
When and
where are elementary band lessons offered?
Eight
small group lessons of 30 minutes in length will be offered during the period
beginning June 7 and ending July 21.
Each student gets two lessons during the first week either on Monday and
Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday, and then one lesson per week for the remainder
of the lesson program. There are no
Friday lessons. The cost for lessons is
$59.00 (percussion add $3).
Sometimes
children are not able to participate in the summer band program due to
extensive vacation or camp schedules or other conflicts with the lessons. This does not mean that your child
will not be able to participate in band in the fall. Students who choose not to participate will begin lessons during
school in September. About 75% of the students do take lessons, however, so
participation is highly encouraged.
Another option for students, if they are unable to participate, is to
take private lessons through the summer.
The music stores are a good resource for private lesson teachers.
All
lessons will be at Meadowview Elementary.
Ideally, we hope that all students will be able to attend each lesson
during the summer program. Students who
will miss the important first lesson will need to contact Mrs. Christenson for
special arrangements.
How does
my child join the elementary band?
Step 1 (Now) Indication
of interest
Fill
out and return the Instrument Interest Form on the back page of this handbook
by Tuesday, April 20.
Step 2 (Late April) Instrument Selection
After
your child selects an instrument with Mrs. Christenson, an Instrument Selection
form will be sent home indicating the results of this meeting. Please return this form with a parent
signature approving the instrument choice and confirming participation in the
summer band lesson program by Tuesday,
May 11th.
Step 3 (May 20) Instrument
Display and Summer Band Registration
Meadowview
Elementary
Thursday,
May 20th
4:00pm-7:
30pm
Parents
are asked to attend registration.
Arrangements for the trial purchase of an instrument from a music store
and registration for summer lessons will be completed at this time. You
will choose a lesson time for your child on a first-come, first-serve basis at
registration. A schedule outline
will be sent home before registration so that parents are able to decide which
lesson time is best. It would be a good
idea to have more than one choice for possible lesson times. Please contact Mrs. Christenson PRIOR
to registration if you are unable to make it.
The cost of the summer lesson program is $59.00 (percussion add $3).
Where
will I obtain an instrument for my child?
After your child selects an instrument, arrangements can
be made for the trial purchase of an instrument from a music store, or using a
school-owned instrument (selection is limited to baritone and tuba). You may also use an instrument, which your
family owns, or look on your own to find a used instrument of good quality.
A.
Trial purchase of an instrument from a music store:
For
your convenience, representatives from music stores will be present at
registration on May 20th.
Arrangements for the trial purchase of an instrument must be made at
this time. These instruments may be
obtained from a music store if you do not presently own one:
The
trial purchase fees charged by the store are for approximately three months
beginning with the student’s first lesson.
At the end of the three-month period, parents may choose to purchase the
instrument outright or on a payment plan, or return it to the music store with
no further obligation. Fees for the
trial purchase plan will be consistent between the music stores and the fees
will apply toward the purchase price of the instrument. However,
be aware that after the three-month period, purchase plans do vary among the
stores. We encourage you to allow extra
time at registration to discuss purchase plans or to contact each store in
advance to inquire about their payment plans.
All schools are visited weekly by representatives for the music
stores displaying instruments. All
repair problems, etc., can be handled between the band instructor and the music
store representative. If you wish to
obtain more information regarding instrument rental, please contact the
following music store representatives:
Eckroth
Music (651) 704-9654 (Joe
Hill)
Groth
Music (952) 884-4772 (Tamara
Henschel or Will Stensrud)
Schmitt
Music (952) 435-2454 (Deb
Vigoren or Scott Vaupel)
Trestman
Music (952) 920-8622 (Dave
Davenport)
Instruments rented/purchased through
a music store will be delivered to the students at their first lesson.
B. District
#192 Instruments
The
following instruments are larger and more expensive and are, therefore, owned
by the school district. At the time of printing, we are considering instituting
a rental program for the 2004-2005 school year beginning with the summer
program; however, the details are still to be worked out before beginning a
program like this. More information
will be forwarded later this spring.
These instruments are available on a limited basis for student use:
An
instrument will be available for the student through high school
graduation. Routine maintenance and
repair will be provided by District #192: however, the school district will not
be responsible for student neglect.
Repair costs beyond routine maintenance will be the responsibility of
the parents.
C. Family-owned
instruments
It
is extremely important that your child’s instrument be in good playing
condition. Instruments that are old, or
which have been neglected for some time, often need the attention of a good
instrument repair person. Please get a
repair estimate prior to registration.
Necessary repairs can range from minor adjustments to major
overhauls. Based on the cost of the
needed repairs, you may decide to initially use the three-month trial purchase
plan of a music store instead of paying for the cost of major work. A list of repair shops is below.
Eckroth Music (651) 704-9654
Groth Music (952) 884-4772
Schmitt Music (952) 435-2454
Trestman Music (952) 920-8622
Valley Band Repair (952) 432-3059 (Ralph Christison)
D. Used
instruments
There
are many places to find used instruments.
The important thing to remember is to have the instrument checked by a
repair professional to make sure it is in excellent playing condition. Nothing is more frustrating to a beginning
student (and his or her teacher!) than an instrument that doesn’t work
properly.
A
good source for used instruments is Valley Band Repair (listed above). Valley Band Repair has many instruments for
sale on consignment.
Please
beware of instruments sold on Internet sites such as E-Bay. If an
instrument is advertised as new and has a very inexpensive price, you will
unfortunately get what you pay for.
Walmart also sells band instruments.
The instruments that have come into the classroom recently have been
substandard in quality. Check with Mrs.
Christenson for brand names with proven reliability before purchasing
something.
Please do not allow your child to assemble or play
his or her instrument before the first lesson!
Many instruments have been damaged from improper handling and poor
playing habits are easily developed.
PLEASE
RETURN THE ELEMENTARY BAND INTEREST FORM FOUND ON THE LAST PAGE OF THE HANDBOOK
TO YOUR CHILD’S HOMEROOM TEACHER BY TUESDAY,
APRIL 20th.