Welcome to Elementary Instrumental Music!!! Welcome to Elementary Instrumental Music!!!

6th Grade School Year In Brief  Lessons  Large Group Instruction/Rehearsals  Practice  Private Lessons  Lessons  Large Group Instruction/Rehearsals  Practice  Private Lessons

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

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  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

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  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

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!  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!

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  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

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

How will my child select the proper instrument? How will my child select the proper instrument?

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  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

Determining the Right Orchestra Instrument 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  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

Orchestra Instruments Orchestra Instruments  Violin  Viola  Cello  Bass  Violin  Viola  Cello  Bass

Violin Violin

Viola Viola

Cello

String Bass String Bass

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

Flute

Clarinet & Bass Clarinet Clarinet Bass Clarinet

Saxophone Saxophone AltoTenor Baritone

Trumpet

French Horn

Trombone Trombone

Baritone Baritone

Tuba

Percussion

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  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

3 Options for Obtaining an Instrument  Renting  You already own an instrument  School-Owned  Renting  You already own an instrument  School-Owned

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  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

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  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

School-Owned Instruments Options: BandOrchestra  Bass ClarinetString 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 Options: BandOrchestra  Bass ClarinetString 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

Band School-Owned Instruments  For the 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  For the 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

Orchestra School-Owned String Basses 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  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

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. 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.

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!  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!

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

Smart Music Testimony 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  "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

THE END!!! THE END!!!