June 2017

Dear Parent, Guardian and Future Band Student,

Learning to play a band instrument is an exciting adventure, which will have lasting benefits throughout life. (YouTube has a great video called, “How playing an instrument benefits your brain”, check it out!). Today our current band 7 has visited and performed for the school your child attends. It’s my hope that you and your child can discuss which instrument they would like to play.

I am suggesting yougo to “You Tube” and type in: flute demonstration, clarinet demonstration, trumpet demonstration, trombone demonstration, bass guitar demonstration, bells demonstration. Percussion, (drums) starts with playing the bells here at Mt. Slesse. Once your son/daughter knows which of these instruments they would like to learn play, please email me their choice as soon as possible. My email is: . Or use the “Remind” app. I’ve attached instructions on how to become part of this special group.

I need to order the method book for the instrument your child would like to learn by June 28. That way the book will be here at the start of the school year. *Please note that 6 string guitar is not a band instrument and therefore is not an instrument they can learn to play in band class. The same applies to piano.

It’svery important that students begin with a quality musical equipment. A poor quality instrument will not play in tune, and cannot be adjusted or repaired properly. Some people have had bad experiencesbuying instruments on-line orat warehouse stores. Many of these instruments have been frustrating, as the adjustments and repairs needed to make them playableare often more costly than the instrument itself.

I along with many others have put together a list of reliable brands of instruments. If you have an instrument that a family member used, please bring it to Kings Music inChilliwack or Abbotsford (they have a repair technician in the Abbotsford store),for a check over. We want to make sure it is easily playable.

My best advice is to buy or rent a quality instrument from a reputable music store, whose staff are musicians and/or educators. That way, you will be doing everything you can to make sure your child’s experience playing a band instrumentis the bestit can be.

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There are several attachments from Kings Music for you to look over. Getting an instrument secured for the fall or even summer is very easy to do by visiting their secure website or visiting one of their two stores.

Best regards for a wonderful summer,

Dale Dueckman

PS

*If the cost of an instrument is something that would keep your child out of band, I want you to know that I have select instruments here at Mount Slesse that I am authorized to rent out at a cost to suit ability to pay. These instruments are always a rental, never a rent to own. If you fit into this category, you can communicate directly with me here at Mount Slesse or via my email:

or the “Remind” app.