Welcome to Elementary Instrumental Music!!!

1. Welcome to Elementary Instrumental Music!!!

2. 6th Grade School Year In Brief • Lessons • Large Group Instruction/Rehearsals • Practice • Private Lessons

3. Lessons • Core instruction during 1st year on instrument • Required for participation • During school day (except St. Peters) • 30 minutes, once per week • Like-instrument groups

4. St. Peters Lessons • Early morning (7:30 and 8:00) • Held at one of the ISD #831 elementary schools in Forest Lake • Parents responsible for transportation to and from

5. Large Group Instruction/Rehearsals • One large group rehearsal each week • Begin the last week of October or 1st week of November • St. Peters students bused to rehearsal: transportation home provided by parents • Location TBA • Rehearsals continue throughout school year

6. Practice • Minimum 2 1/2 hours of practice per week necessary for normal progress • 30 minutes per day, 5 days per week • Please take seriously, practice minutes are part of your grade!!! • More practice = more enjoyment & achievement!

7. Private Lessons • Private lessons encouraged if possible • Make sure the instructor has experience with beginning instrumental students • This will ensure that lessons will be structured with compatible activities for your child’s instrument lesson material

8. Success on an instrument is determined by the desire to succeed & the motivation to practice consistently.

9. How will my child select the proper instrument?

10. Factors for Determining Instrument Selection • Student’s physical characteristics • Sense of pitch and rhythm • 1st sound the student is able to make on an instrument • Number of students playing each instrument • Balanced instrumentation key to success of program • Student’s personal choice • Student’s disposition and reaction to challenges

11. Determining the Right Orchestra Instrument • There are a few physical characteristics which factor into a student’s choice of string instrument • Graduated sizes to fit child’s growing body • Families who own full size instruments will probably need to rent smaller instrument until child grows into larger size • Important for all string players to have excellent sense of pitch, finger, and arm coordination

12. Orchestra Instruments • Violin • Viola • Cello • Bass

13. Violin

14. Viola

15. Cello

16. String Bass

17. Band Instruments • Flute • Oboe • Clarinet & Bass Clarinet • Alto, Tenor, and Bari Saxophone • Trumpet • French Horn • Trombone • Baritone • Tuba • Percussion

18. Flute

19. Clarinet & Bass Clarinet Clarinet Bass Clarinet

20. Saxophone Baritone Alto Tenor

21. Trumpet

22. French Horn

23. Trombone

24. Baritone

25. Tuba

26. Percussion

27. Where Do I Find an Instrument? • Recommended that all beginning instrumental students rent an instrument for an initial trial period rather than purchasing the instrument right away • Most music stores have rental programs with an option to buy at end of the trial period • ONLY PURCHASE INSTRUMENTS FROM A REPUTABLE MUSIC STORE!!! • Purchases from other sources may result in an inferior product

28. 3 Options for Obtaining an Instrument • Renting • You already own an instrument • School-Owned

29. Renting an Instrument • Reserve instrument by completing rental agreement on evening of display Or • Complete agreement sometime before school begins • This ensures instrument will be available in time for the 1st lesson

30. If You Already Own an Instrument • Make sure your instrument is in good playing condition • Older instruments often need reconditioning • Have music store inspect instrument’s playing condition before school begins

31. School-Owned Instruments Options: Band Orchestra • Bass Clarinet String Bass • French Horn • Baritone • Tuba • Limited number available • Repair charges for extra ordinary damage due to student carelessness or abuse responsibility of the student and his/her parents

32. Band School-Owned Instruments • For the 2008-2009 school year, a $75 maintenance fee charged • Check to “ISD 831” • Contract must be completed and turned in with check in order to receive instrument at 1st lesson

33. Orchestra School-Owned String Basses • 2 string basses are necessary • 1 for home use ($75 if rented from school) • 1 for school use ($10) • Due to the limited number of school-owned basses, renting from a music store is highly recommended

34. Smart Music What is Smart Music? • The essential practice tool for musicians • SmartMusic is an interactive, computer-based practice tool for musicians. Challenging exercises, instant feedback tools, and more than 30,000 accompaniments make SmartMusic an essential part of your practice sessions. • You’ll never practice alone • SmartMusic accompanies you while you practice. Your performance improves faster because practicing is more productive and fun.

35. How Does Smart Music Work? • With SmartMusic loaded on a computer, students plug in a vocal or instrumental microphone and begin practicing. • They play or sing their part with accompaniment and receive, in real time on the computer, detailed feedback on their performance. Ideal for woodwind, brass, string, and vocal musicians of all levels. • SmartMusic is your instant backup band that makes practicing fun!

36. Cost • $25 a year • Instrumental teacher gives each student a code to use when buy the subscription and microphone at www.smartmusic.com • CDs and accessories will be mailed directly to you (shipping charges apply)

37. Smart Music Testimony • "SmartMusic helped me with my sight-reading. It makes it easier to hear the music." -- Alexandra, 6th grade • "SmartMusic changed the whole band experience for me. It's more fun."-- Katherine, 9th grade • For more information, visit www.smartmusic.com

38. THE END!!!