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:

                  Flute

                  Clarinet

                  Oboe

                  Alto Saxophone

                  Tenor Saxophone

                  Trumpet

                  French Horn

                  Trombone

                  Percussion

 

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:

                        Baritone

                        Tuba

 

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.