Stonegate Elementary School

Daily Materials
♩Musical instrument
♩1/2 inch binder 
♩Instrument fingering  chart     
♩Band music            
♩Theory Worksheets 
♩Pencil 
♩Access to Google classroom
♩Band PPE (optional)
♩Proper reeds/valve oil/sticks
♩Check your student email daily

 

5th grade Beginning Band Information 

   There's a lot of information here, please take the time to read it completely and thoroughly. 
● Band Program 
Research shows that students who take an instrumental music class do better in their regular class because they transfer tracking (reading skill), counting (math skill), teamwork, self-discipline, and perseverance to the classroom. 
● Schedule 
Beginning Band is during school and one class before or after school. The schedule will be given to the students on the first day of band. 
● What your child learns 
The band students learn how to play an instrument, read music, work together and perform concerts. Music is a highly disciplined core subject. Students will learn how to self-monitor their playing to understand that playing an instrument at a high level takes time and lots of practice. (See practicing at home.) 
● Renting an instrument 
I would like to encourage any parents who can rent an instrument for their child, to do so. The music store instruments are newer and the child takes pride in having his or her own instrument. Renting an instrument is different from getting a “loaned” instrument from the school district. I have provided information from Kline Music Store. (https://www.klinemusic.com)
A parent must have a major credit card, and will pay two months rent in advance. (However, you do not have to use the credit card for the rental). 
● School Loaned Instruments 
The district has a very limited number of instruments to be loaned out. So, if you can rent an instrument from the music store, this would give the opportunity for a student who can not afford to rent an instrument, a chance to play in the band. 
When a student is loaned an instrument from the district, there is a contract the parents will sign. When a parent signs the contract, s/he is stating in writing that s/he will be responsible for anything that happens to that instrument, including damage, loss, or a stolen instrument. (Instruments cost between $700.00 and $2000.00). You can purchase instrument insurance. 
You are responsible for returning the instrument to the school prior to moving to another school. If these conditions are not met, the district will send you a bill a for the amount of repair or the cost of the instrument. 
● Purchasing an Instrument 
I am going to start with what not to buy. DO NOT buy an instrument that is cheap, because that is exactly what it is. There are instruments being made that are advertised as student instruments that are under $300.00. These are basically disposable instruments. If it breaks, no instrument repair person will fix it, then your child will not have an instrument at all. Go to local music stores to purchase an instrument. I do not suggest buying on-line.
● Equipment 
All students need to purchase the band method book called “Sound Innovations” Book 1 for your instrument. You may order one through me. The cost is $9.00 + .75 (tax) = $9.75. Students who choose to play clarinet or saxophone will have to buy reeds.The students need at least 5 to 6 for the whole year. (If you want to buy a box of reeds from Kline Music, that is a good idea. Be sure to buy Rico Royal reeds size 2 1/2). Do not buy Rico reeds in the orange box and no reeds lower than 2 ½ size. Purchasing the correct reeds insures a quality sound for the students. 
Practice at Home.  I sell the reeds to the students who do not have one for that day for $2.00 each (This is significantly under the retail price. It is very important that the students pay me for the reeds, so that I can purchase more during the year.) 
Just like the regular classroom, band class has homework. The students must practice at home to achieve better skills for dexterity, breath support, and music reading. The students should practice 15 minutes a day for 5 days. (The goal will be to practice 30 minutes a day.) Practicing is done at home and is not accounting for time spent in class. 
As a parent, please be supportive for your child’s practicing at home. The sounds you will hear may not be pleasant at first, however, by the end of two months, you will hear great changes in your child’s sound and abilities. Encourage your child to practice in a separate room (a bedroom, garage, or bathroom works okay), NOT OUTSIDE. 
It takes many years to become proficient at playing a musical instrument. This is not something that happens overnight. Professional musicians work very hard to achieve their sound and they practice all the time! 
Have patience, give good comments for your child, and listen for the improvements as the year progresses. 
● Attendance 
This is a class. I will take roll and expect the student to attend during the scheduled time. If the parent and child decide to discontinue the band class, I must have a written note from the parent.

● Concerts 
There are concerts (performances in front of an audience) throughout the year. Concerts are a measure of their acquired knowledge and shows maturity and strength to perform under a controlled environment like a test or assessment. Students are required to attend. I will let the students know at least four weeks or more ahead of a concert date. You will be contacted too. You are welcome to contact me anytime.