4TH GRADE ENROLLMENT QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
- What are the Director Expectations for Beginning students and families....
- 30-45 minutes of practice per week in preparation for weekly lessons.
- 10 minute practice sessions is a great way for students to practice everyday without being overwhelmed both physically and mentally.
- Each student will also be required to pass off a set number of method book performance lines per month. Home practice can be adjusted accordingly to meet the simpler requirements.
- Bring instrument, music, and other supplies to band lessons every week.
- Attend the required before school band rehearsals at Haven. There are only a few rehearsals that take place outside the school day. They are scheduled during September, February, and a few in March. These should be part of your family calendar and are available on the 4th grade band page.
- Perform at the March Spring "Band-a-thon Concert" at ETHS: Please refer to band calendar.
- All students will remain on their primary instrument unless the Director decides a change is in order. Beginning instruments have a logical progression to secondary instruments in the upcoming years should a student choose to try a new instrument. Secondary instruments are those instruments not taught at the grade school level, e.g. bass clarinet, contra clarinet, tenor sax, bari sax, trigger trombones, compensating euphoniums, and tubas to name a few.
- Why is there a $15.00 band enrollment fee?
The enrollment fee contributes and provide equity among all students wishing to participate in the program. It also cover expenses like music and accessories.
- When should I rent the instrument for my child?
- Once your child has been assessed and an instrument assigned, all that is left to do is to take care of your child's rental instrument and accessories by attending the Rental Curbside pick-up scheduled from 3:45 to 6:30pm, at the Haven Middle School teacher parking lot.
- The rental pickup process will be quick. You can drive up to our station and we will bring your rental instrument & music to your car! Students do not need to attend.
- Representatives from Quinlan and Fabish Music Store will provide our parents a mobile “rental” store for the evening. The company provides top quality “rent to own” instruments, offers free weekly school pick-up and delivery for instrumental repairs, and provides loaner instruments any time a rental instrument needs servicing. Parents would benefit greatly by visiting the Quinlan and Fabish website and becoming familiar with rental costs and requirements. Should you choose otherwise, please make sure the instrument being rented meets the requirement list included and will be ready for your child's first lesson.
- WHO DECIDES IF MY CHILD MAY OR MAY NOT TAKE LESSONS?
Parents are the final deciding factor whether they are going to allow their child to take lessons during the school day. Because children are unique in their educational progress, at times teachers make recommendations that a particular child not be pulled out, but the final decision should belong to the child’s parent. Once lessons are scheduled and approved, we have little flexibility to move student lesson times due to the volume of students we work with.
- LESSON ATTENDANCE:
Weekly lesson attendance is very important to the success of the student. Students missing more than three consecutive lessons because they did not bring their instrument will be asked to drop from the lesson schedule. Please notify your child’s instrumental teacher if your child decides not to continue with lessons. Should an instrumental teacher absence or scheduling conflict occur, lessons would not be rescheduled. Once you know your child’s lesson day of the week, always send your child to school with their instrument on their lesson day. Better to have it and realize that there are no lessons than to assume there won't be a lesson only to find your child missed a lesson because they were not prepared
- WHAT FACTORS ARE CONSIDERED WHEN ASSESSING STUDENTS?
Instrument assignments are based on a combination of factors. First and foremost, the ability of the student to grasp the introductory concepts within the assessment time frame that would demonstrate the student's ability to stay on task with the lesson pace. After that, there are other factors that are considered, such as the physical size of the student, the number of students wanting to play the same instrument and the number of students we can work within a 30-minute lesson. Lesson numbers vary based on the instrument. Percussion lesson numbers tend to be smaller because students are learning two instruments within the time frame (mallets and snare). It's a lot for both the student and teacher. Saxophone classes are limited due to their role the instrument plays in the ensemble and the volume of sound it produces in lessons. We do mention this during our assemblies so that students is not surprised or disappointed when they attend their instrument try-out time.
- LESSON PACING
HE CURRICULUM IS DESIGNED TO ALLOW A STUDENT TO MOVE AT HIS OR HER OWN PACE. PARENTS MAY KEEP TRACK OF THEIR CHILD'S PROGRESS BY MONITORING THEIR PLAYING ASSIGNMENT SHEET.
- If my child does not enroll in 4th grade, can they enroll in 5th grade?
Due to enrollment numbers, band enrollment is only available in 4th grade. 5th graders may join on an instrument section that may have an opening and are willing to take private lessons to catch up to their peers.
- my child would like to play oboe or Bassoon?
Student's wanting to play oboe or bassoon usually start with flute or clarinet, which allows the student to develop the fundamentals needed to transition to these secondary instruments.
- We have a family owned instrument we would like our child to play?
Family owned instruments are perfectly acceptable however we ask that they be in proper working order. Please do not wait until lessons begin to have us look over the instrument. There are reputable local store that can asses any repairs needed.
- OUR FAMILY INSTRUMENT MAY NEED SOME REPAIRS BEFORE MY CHILD CAN USE IT?
Consider renting an instrument at our rental night to get your child started. Most rentals are pro rated which charges incurring only for the time of use.
- WHAT IS THE CONCERT ATTIRE FOR 4TH GRADE STUDENTS?
"Dress to impress" is our concert attire for 4th grade.
- FALLING BEHIND
Every student will receive individual instruction from the teacher at each lesson, but given the scheduling of lessons and the number of students, private lessons with the teacher are not an option. We would be happy to recommend a private instructor for outside of the school day lessons