REGISTRATION FOR 5TH & 6TH GRADE BAND PACKET RETURN COMPLETED BACK PAGE BY JULY 24 TH!

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1 REGISTRATION FOR 5TH & 6TH GRADE BAND PACKET RETURN COMPLETED BACK PAGE BY JULY 24 TH! Dear Parents, The Chandler Unified School District has invited your child to participate in free music instruction in your elementary band. All instruction occurs during the regular school day in a 30 minute block, three to four times a week. Regular classroom instruction and P.E. are not interrupted. Few experiences in life are more enjoyable or more rewarding than playing a musical instrument. Everyone has a creative instinct which music can help strengthen and satisfy. Playing a wind instrument contributes to the student s physical well-being; it teaches good posture, correct breathing and finger dexterity. Music also leads to mental well-being, helping to build a strong character, for the music student learns teamwork and responsibility working with others in the band. Above all, music opens the door to richer cultural life and music appreciation. It is important to realize that band students have extra requirements. Your band director wants the absolute best in music education for your child and this requires extra effort, time and energy on the part of students and parents. Please keep the following in mind when you agree to enroll your child in band instruction. Band students have homework everyday. They must practice on a daily basis. This means arrangements must be made to get the instrument and music to and from school on a daily basis. Band students will be required to purchase supplies. Supplies include a book and items needed to properly care for their instruments. Band students will have at least two evening concerts. Concert attendance is required and will be considered when calculating Behavior and Participation grade. We require your student to make a one year commitment to their instrumental music education.

2 SUPPLIES: Your student will need the following supplies in order to participate effectively and properly maintain and care for the instrument. You must purchase the following supplies (the school does not supply these items): All 5 th and 6 th grade students will use the following book (it can be purchased at any local music store): Tradition of Excellence Book 1(red) A band folder FLUTE: Tuning/cleaning rod, handkerchief or bandana. CLARINET and SAXOPHONE: Swab, cork grease, mouthpiece brush, reed guard, 5 reeds (Beginning students use #2 reeds, returning students use #2 ½ reeds) TRUMPET, FRENCH HORN, BARITONE: Valve oil, tuning slide grease, flexible cleaning brush, mouthpiece brush, cleaning cloth or spit rag TROMBONE: Slide oil, tuning slide grease, flexible cleaning brush, mouthpiece brush, cleaning cloth or spit rag PERCUSSION: Bell kit includes bells and pad, an instrument stand, drum sticks, plastic mallets FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS BY BAND PARENTS WHEN DOES MY STUDENT HAVE BAND? Band instruction is an integral part of our school instruction. Classes are offered during the school day and no classroom time is missed. Band meets for 30 minutes using a 6 day rotation in which your student takes PE and music. Students chose band, orchestra, or general music. WHERE DO I GET AN INSTRUMENT? Most of you will want to rent an instrument before you make the investment of purchasing. Instruments can be rented at any of a number of local music stores. The Yellow Pages or going online are usually good places to start when looking for a music store. When you rent, ask how much of the rental fees apply toward the purchase price and if you can apply rental fees toward the purchase of an upgraded instrument. Rental programs vary greatly and some are better than others. Ask: What happens if the instrument gets broken or stolen? Some stores will pick the instrument up at your school and provide a loaner during repairs. Find out the consequences and results of the money you are paying; not all plans are a good deal! A checklist has been provided for your convenience. Although it is preferable to get an instrument from a music store, if you already have one or find one at a pawn shop/garage sale, PLEASE take it to a music store immediately to have them look it over and make necessary repairs. Although you might find a very inexpensive instrument somewhere like a pawn shop or membership discount (warehouse) type store, very often throughout the year you will spend more money having it repaired, if it can be repaired, then renting one from a music store. IN ORDER FOR YOUR CHILD TO BE SUCCESSFUL, THEY NEED AN INSTRUMENT THAT WORKS!

3 DOES THE SCHOOL OWN OR RENT INSTRUMENTS? Your best bet for finding an instrument is to make arrangements to rent or buy. There are a limited number of district owned instruments available; these instruments are available to families with a demonstrated need. Applications for district instruments will be available from Mrs. Torres on Mon., Tues., and Wed. of THE FIRST WEEK ONLY, and must be returned to Mrs. Torres by Thursday, July 24th. NO APPLICATION WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER 11:00A.M. ON JULY 24 th NO EXCEPTIONS There will be a $25.00 charge for using a district owned instrument. Do not send money with the application. Please remember, there are a very limited number of district instruments. If you can rent an instrument from a store it will leave the district instruments available for other students to also participate in the band program. WHICH INSTRUMENT IS THE EASIEST TO PLAY? All of the instruments take hard work and dedication. In order to be successful you will have to be dedicated to practicing. Like anything else you do in life, with practice you will increase your opportunity to succeed. WHAT IF I DON T KNOW HOW TO READ MUSIC? Most kids in beginning band don t. When you join band, I will teach you EVERYTHING you need to know in order to be successful playing your instrument. CAN MY CHILD PLAY WHATEVER HE/SHE CHOOSES? In most cases, but there are exceptions. We have had too many saxophones and percussionists in recent years; it may be necessary to limit the enrollment on some instruments for the good of the entire class. Due to the limited number of percussion instruments in a band, most percussionists will play only their practice pad or bell set during both performances. SHOULD EVERYONE BE IN BAND? No. You know your child s capabilities, maturity, level of responsibility and study habits. You know of their past interest in piano, recordings, general music classes and concerts. Most of them used a recorder last year and you know their attitude about that. Carefully consider your decision...it is for a whole year and your child will need constant encouragement. CAN WE TRY IT AND DROP? NO! The Chandler Unified School District believes the only way to discover your child s musical ability is to stick with it for AT LEAST ONE YEAR. We also believe your child should be mature enough to make a one year commitment. If you must withdraw your student, you must have a conference with your school s principal and myself. CAN WE WAIT UNTIL 6th GRADE OR OLDER TO JOIN? In Chandler, band instruction begins in the 5th grade. Although you may wait until 6th grade to start, you will be responsible for catching up. This will be accomplished by taking private lessons through an outside source. WHAT INSTRUMENTS CAN I CHOOSE FROM AND ARE THERE THINGS I SHOULD CONSIDER BEFORE CHOOSING AN INSTRUMENT? Please see next page..

4 All Instruments Dedication and practice Parental support Good classroom behavior Desire to work hard and have fun doing it! Flute If your top lip comes down to a point in the center, it will be extremely hard to produce a good sound. Eye-hand coordination must be good. Clarinet Thumbs are not double jointed. Eye-hand coordination must be good. Must purchase reeds and cork grease regularly. Alto Saxophone Thumbs are not double jointed. Eye-hand coordination must be good. Keep in mind that many students have alto sax as their first choice. Because of that, behavior and academics are taken into account when determining who will play sax. Must purchase reeds and cork grease regularly. Trumpet Lips are thin to medium (very hard to play with thick, full lips better suited for trombone/baritone) Student can identify low and high sounds. Self-confident. Must purchase oil and grease regularly. French Horn SAME AS TRUMPET, but the student should have an exceptional sense of pitch and excel academically. I highly recommend taking private lessons. Must purchase oil and grease regularly. Trombone or Baritone Lips are medium to thick. Self confident. If you like to stand out in a crowd, this is a great instrument for you. There are never enough trombones and baritones in the band! Must purchase oil and grease regularly. Percussion Physically coordinated is a must. Piano experience is very helpful, but not mandatory. Self-discipline. Dependable and a strong sense of responsibility. Committed to becoming a percussionist not just a drummer. In order to play percussion you will start on bells and once you show achievement in bells, you will add snare drum. Many students put percussion as a first choice, so behavior and academics will be taken into account when determining who will play percussion. Students who put percussion as their choice should be prepared to get their second choice.

5 DEALER COMPARISON WORKSHEET Questions? 1. Does the dealer have a rent to own program? #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 2. If so, will all my money apply? For how long? 3. Are there any finance charges? 4. How much does the rental cost? 5. Are there discounts for early payoff? How much? 6. What about protection against damage? What if the instrument is lost or stolen? 7. Is there a full equity exchange program, if I want to trade for a better instrument? 8. Is there a minimal rental term? 9. What other services does dealer provide: *Free loaners during repair? *Discounts on accessories? *Free string replacement? 10. Can I purchase protection coverage once I own? 11. Are the terms described guaranteed in the agreement? 12. Do I need a major credit card in order to rent? I am truly looking forward to the opportunity to work with you and your child. If you have any questions or concerns, please call or me. Sincerely, Carrie Torres (480) Torres.carrie@cusd80.com

6 PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THIS PAGE TO MRS. TORRES BY THURSDAY, JULY 24th STUDENT NAME: TEACHER: HOME PHONE #: GRADE INSTRUMENT CHOICE 1 st choice/2 nd choice Only 6 th grade clarinet and alto sax players are eligible to play bass clarinet or tenor sax. (Please do not rent an instrument until your child brings home a letter from me.) Please enroll my child in band. I understand and agree with what is outlined on the previous pages. I also understand this is a one year commitment. With this choice I understand it is necessary to provide an instrument and related supplies, unless other arrangements have been made. Parent/Guardian Signature Date