October, 2007

Dear Parents/Guardians;

It’s time for band!

Band lessons and rehearsals have begun.  Your band student has been assigned a twenty minute weekly lesson time. Band students are expected to attend every lesson with their instrument and lesson book (Standard of Excellence). Those students who have been consistent in attending lessons are making wonderful progress.

Advanced band meets as a large group every Wednesday. Students are also expected to be prepared for rehearsal with their instrument, lesson book and additional band music that are handed out during rehearsals.

You can aide in your child’s progress by asking when his/her lesson is and making sure they are prepared on lesson day.

Do you know where your child’s instrument is?!

Although practicing is a difficult habit to form, positive progress depends on daily practice. For early beginners, just five to ten minutes a day is all that is needed to see and hear results. Middle and older students should be playing their instruments at least four times a week. Many times the same instruments are left in the music room day after day, which indicates to me that the student is not practicing. Rewards are offered to students who practice and record that practice time in their lesson book.

School Spirit!

Belonging to a group is special! Band shirts are provided to all band students each school year.  Students in Advanced band are expected to wear their shirt every Wednesday since that is their full band rehearsal day.  Since beginner band does not meet as a full band until later in the year, once the students receive their shirts I am requesting they wear them on their lesson day. Students will also wear their shirts for performances. When basketball season begins, boys may wear their band shirt with a tie if a game day is on a Wednesday.

An abundance of research shows that students who are involved in music have higher achievement in school. Belonging to a musical group is an exciting and rewarding experience.  It develops discipline, thinking skills and friendships.  Encourage your child to do his/her best.

Supplies

Your child may purchase any supplies needed from me. Reeds, valve oil and cork grease are on hand in the music room at all times. Larger products may have to be ordered.

The current price of:

Clarinet reeds: $1.75 each

Saxophone reeds: $2.25 each

Valve oil: $3.95 per bottle

Cork Grease $2.95 per tube

Please do not hesitate to call or e-mail with questions or concerns.

Thank you,

Lisa Kessler