Fifth Grade Band Information 2011-2012

CambriaHeightsElementary School

Dear Parents of Fourth Grade Band Students,

It’s time for your kids to sign up for fifth grade band! Please turn in the 5th Grade Band Permission Slip to me by June 1st.

Students choosing to participate in band in fifth grade will have a half hour lesson, full band rehearsal from 1:35 – 2:30 on schedule A, and band rehearsal during their music special once a week. Instead of reporting to the general music room for their music special, band students will come to the band room. This rehearsal time allows the students to prepare for two fifth grade band concerts that are held throughout the year.

Participation in band is a responsibility and commitment on the part of both students and parents. Regular home practice will be essential for success. Students are expected to practice their instrument for a total of 100 minutes a week. Students will receive a letter grade for band based on weekly practice journals and attendance. Because band students receive a grade, they are only allowed to quit lessons and band at the end of a nine- week marking period. Students are not allowed to quit after the 3rd marking period.

Every student must have an instrument to participate in lessons and band. A limited number of instruments can be rented from CHES on a first-come, first-serve basis. The cost to rent a CHES instrument for next year is $65/year for all instruments. This rental fee includes the 5thgrade band book (Do It! Book 1).To rent an instrument for next year, please have your child bring me a check made out to the CH Activity Fund and sign and return the CHES Instrument Rental Contract as soon as possible. School rented instruments must be turned back in to me by June 1st if you do not pay to rent the instrument next year. Summer rental is free if you pay to an instrument for fifth grade so it would be best to pay the rental now because many of the instruments will be rented out by September.

If you cannot afford to pay the total rental cost now, please pay half of the rental cost now ($32.50), or a third of the rental cost now ($21.66). If you do not pay the entire cost now, the next payment will be due at the beginning of next marking period. If renting an instrument is simply not feasible right now, please get in touch with me and I will see what I can do. Please do not let money be the reason that your student does not join band. If you contact me, I will try to find an instrument for your child to use so they can participate.

Next year we will continue to use the Sound Innovations Book 1along with the Do It! Book 1. You already purchased Sound Innovations Book 1 and instrument care products for your child.The instrument care products are necessary to keep the instrument clean and working properly. If you need any replacement accessories the prices are as listed below:

Instrument / Sound
Innovations
Book 1 / Do It!
Book 1 / InstrumentCareProducts
Flute / 9 / 9 / swab ($6), first finger guide ($6.50)
Clarinet / 9 / 9 / swab ($6), reed guard ($2),reeds ($1), teeth cushion ($1)
Alto Saxophone / 9 / 9 / swab ($6), reed guard ($2),reeds ($1), teeth cushion ($1)
French horn / 9 / 9 / Snake ($4)
Trumpet / 9 / 9 / snake ($4), valve oil ($4)
Baritone / 9 / 9 / snake ($4), valve oil ($4)
Percussion / 12 / 12 / N/A
*Please make checks payable to the CH Activity Fund

I have 3 percussion combo kits that are available to be rented from CHES. Percussion students that do not rent from CHES must rent or buy a bells and snare drum percussion combo kit from a music store (preferably Volkwein’s).

Instruments can be rented or purchased from the Volkwein’s Music Store or another local music store. The Volkwein’s Rental Program offers a low initial fee, which allows the student to try an instrument for four months before starting monthly payments. Volkwein’s also sells used instruments so if you are going to buy a used instrument, please buy it from Volkwein’s. Volkwein’s services and repairs used instruments before selling them and this will save you money in the long run. Please do not purchase used or under-priced instruments online. Also, avoid buying instruments from department stores. A low quality instrument usually causes a student to become frustrated and quit.

Over the summer please take time to look at my website on the CHES page. There are links on the page toinformation for parents, music activities for students, and videos of musicians. I am looking forward to next school year and am excited about working with next year’s fifth grade band.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Ms. J. Seltzer

Elementary Instrumental Music Teacher

814.344.8506