7th Grade Music Opportunities
In The ParkHillSchool District
Dear Parents:
As your son or daughter enters the seventh grade next year, the music course offerings become more varied, particularly regarding the area of instrumental music. Vocal music will focus on choir classes, with an emphasis on reinforcing basic musical skills students have developed through the sixth grade.
Seventh grade is the only grade level in which students may elect to enroll in one of the beginning instrumental music courses below. (Starting an instrument over the summer is not encouraged. We would like the opportunity to meet your child and check his/her facial structure, etc., and discuss options during class next fall.)
Orchestra
Violin, Viola, Cello and String Bass (NO guitar instruction)
Band
Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet, Saxophone, French horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone Horn, Tuba or Percussion (NO drum set; percussionists are STRONGLY encouraged to have some background in piano or keyboards)
If your son or daughter is considering enrolling for one of these courses, there are some items that will be of interest to you and your child regarding the study of instrumental music.
There may be a FINANCIAL COMMITMENT that parents may make if they chose to rent an instrument for their student. Families can rent an instrument from one of Kansas City's area music dealers (we will give you the names of the ones we recommend at our parent meeting next fall) for approximately three months, with an option to purchase the instrument after the initial rental period. Some choose to pay the balance then, others choose to continue monthly payments. This is a personal decision on your part, discussed with the music dealer with whom you decide to work.
Total new instrument costs range from $300.00 to $1,500.00, or more (rental at $22.50 - 65.50 per month.) Some parents choose to obtain a used instrument, but it MUST be approved for use by one of the instrumental music instructors. There are also a limited number of school-owned instruments available, such as viola, bassoon, French horn, cello, baritone horn, string bass and tuba for student use.
As with all curricular areas, there is also a TIME COMMITMENT that students must make, with parents’ enthusiastic encouragement! Learning to play a musical instrument requires PRACTICE TIME and APLACE TO PRACTICE. Students are required to maintain a pattern of consistent DAILY practice at home. Practice records are turned in weekly to the instructor and averaged as a part of the quarter grade. This policy is designed to encourage consistent practice so students will have a successful experience learning the fundamentals of playing the instrument they and theirinstructor select together.
In the past we have had families who were hesitant to enroll their children in music classes because of the notion that later in their son’s or daughter’s education, conflicts with other school activities would arise. You should know that we have students in the music program through their senior year in high school that also participate in several sports programs, cheerleading, pom-pon, the academic squad, theater, debate and all other areas available to children in the Park Hill School District. In fact, several students in the music program at the high school level become leaders in other areas, academic as well as extracurricular.
Our instrumental music program has experienced a great deal of success during the past 30-40 years, and we hope your son or daughter will consider becoming a part of this great Park Hill tradition! If instrumental music is not a choice for your son or daughter, then please encourage him/her to continue participating in the vocal music program. There are great benefits available to students enrolled in school music programs, and we hope you and your child will choose to continue their Park Hill music education.