District 196 Band Program Parkview Elementary & Shannon Park Elementary Schools Steve Olsen, Band Director E-Mail: steve.olsen@district196.org Voice-Mail: 651.683.6969 (ext. 92978) Band Website: http://goo.gl/fhynzy WHAT? Quick Facts About BAND in School District 196 Band is a curricular subject. It is an academic, graded, credit-bearing course offering in District 196. Currently - 5,100 students are enrolled in band in ISD 196. On average, 75+% of all fifth graders are in band. The skills developed learning to play an instrument, help students do better in other academic areas, especially math and science. Band is one of the ONLY subjects in our School District where EVERY STUDENT gets very small group instruction on a consistent basis at their skill level, regardless of their ability. WHY? Learning to play an instrument is a fun and rewarding experience that helps students in many ways, academically and socially. WHEN? All students start band lessons the summer before fifth grade. There is no beginning band in middle school, so we encourage everyone to participate in band in fifth grade. Students who want to play in middle school band need to start in fifth grade. The enrollment process starts in spring, before the end of the fourth grade school year! WHO? All fourth grade students from ISD 196 are encouraged to participate in the elementary band in fifth grade. Students of all ability levels participate in band every year. COST: There is NO FEE for band lessons during the school year. Getting Started Summer Lesson Session, music book, instrument supplies If paid by April 21: $76 online registration fee $46 for students registered for Reduced Lunch $11 for students registered for Free Lunch After April 21: $91online registration fee $56 for students registered for Reduced Lunch $11 for students registered for Free Lunch ***May 17 final deadline to register **online registration fee = $91 Instruments Most instruments are obtained from a music store ($45 - $75 for the first four-month Trial Period ) Larger instruments are rented from the District, cost $100/year ($20 for students on reduced lunch, no fee for students on free lunch) Scholarships and gently used instruments available on a first-come first served basis via the Band For All program for students on free or reduced lunch ($20 Fee).
HOW? do I register my child for Elementary Band? Complete these FOUR STEPS and PLEASE READ all of the following pages carefully. Step 1 REGISTER: Complete the Elementary Band Participation Form sent home with all fourth grade students in February and found on the last page of this packet Deadline: complete this form and return to your child s classroom teacher by March 1. Step 2 - INSTRUMENT SELECTION: Student meets with Band Director, to select an instrument (early March). Your child receives an Instrument Selection Form after meeting with your Band Director. This form will indicate which instrument your child selected, and will include specific directions for completing band registration and payment online. Please contact your band director if you need to pay with cash. Step 3 - GET AN INSTRUMENT: Music Store ONLINE (see website links on the following pages) or at the Band Open House: May 7, 8 (Highland Elementary) or 9 (Deerwood Elementary) The School District, including Band For All instruments Family Owned Instrument Step 4 - REGISTER ONLINE FOR ONE GETTING STARTED LESSONS SESSION: Each Session consists of 8 total group lessons (most lessons are 45 min. lesson length), over two consecutive weeks (Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs NO Friday s), you choose the dates and time of day that works best for you; $76 fee for the eight-lesson session. June 11 21 at Deerwood Elementary July 9 19 at Northview Elementary July 23 August 2 at Westview Elementary August 6 16 at East Lake Elementary *The website link to register online will be listed on the Instrument Selection Form, that your child will receive from your Band Director, after they meet in early March. FAQ s (Frequently Asked Questions): 1. Who Should Participate In Elementary Band? All fourth grade students are invited to participate in elementary band starting the summer after fourth grade. Fifth grade is the only year that beginning band is offered in our school district. There is no beginning band in sixth grade. If you are interested in your child participating in band, now is the time to begin the process. 2. How much should my child practice? Success on an instrument is determined by the desire to succeed and the motivation to practice consistently. Students should practice 20-30 minutes a day, five days per week (most weeks), to become proficient on their instrument. Please discuss this with your child and help them develop a practice routine at home. Please view the summer band program as an opportunity for a new musical experience! 3. How Will My Child Select An Instrument? Your child will meet with your Band Director during the school day to help select an instrument best suited for his/her personal characteristics. Instrument selection is based on: Student s personal choice Physical characteristics necessary to play the instrument (i.e. jaw structure, lip formation, hand and finger size, etc.) See list below. The instruments needed to provide a well-balanced band. Physical Characteristics and Instrument Recommendations FLUTE: To be able to develop a good flute tone, the lips should come together evenly with the air creating a single, small opening in the center of the lips. Challenges usually occur with students who have heart shaped lips that produce two openings when the lips come together in the middle, or a large gap between the front two teeth that may affect airflow. CLARINET: Most students will be able to play clarinet. On rare occasion, fingertips are so tiny; they can t quite cover the holes in keys.
ALTO SAXOPHONE: Students must be able to support the weight of the saxophone with the use of the neck strap. The alto saxophone is one of the most expensive instruments in elementary band. Students who play alto saxophone should have arms long enough to reach the bottom keys, and hands large enough/fingers long enough to reach around the side and palm keys. TRUMPET, FRENCH HORN: The trumpet and french horn are not recommended if the student has a significant overbite. The band director will assess lip formation and teeth placement. For some students, a larger mouthpiece produces the easiest tone. For others, a small mouthpiece offers the greatest success. TROMBONE, BARITONE, TUBA: Most students will be able to play trombone, baritone or tuba. The length of a student s arms and general physical size is not related to successful performance on the trombone, baritone or tuba. PERCUSSION (Xylophone and practice pad): Students who play percussion need to have a xylophone and practice pad (or snare drum) at home. Students must practice both instruments daily (30+ minutes of total practice each day, 5 days per week). Students should be able to keep a steady beat and demonstrate above average coordination; two years of piano/keyboard experience is recommended. Percussion is one of the most expensive instruments in elementary band. 4. When And Where Are Elementary Band Lessons Offered? All students start band the summer before fifth grade by attending one SUMMER BAND SESSION. Each Session consists of eight total lessons, offered in small groups (most lesson groups are 45 minutes in length.), over two consecutive weeks (Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs NO Friday s), and you choose the dates, time of day and school-location that works best for you; $76 fee for the eight-lesson session which includes book and supplies. PLEASE NOTE: There are no make-ups for missed lessons, but students are welcome to attend another lesson group (of the same instrument) at that site in order to participate in all eight lessons. If your child will miss more than three summer lessons you should contact your Band Director, to discuss other options. Parents are welcome and encouraged to attend lessons whenever possible. There is no bus transportation to summer band lessons, so parents are responsible for arranging transportation to summer band lessons. Please notify your Band Director, if your child will miss the first day of lessons since that is when students learn to assemble the instrument and produce a tone on the instrument. 5. What happens during the school year after summer band? Students attend a weekly small group lesson for 30 minutes during the school day. In addition to lessons, the full band rehearses together once each week (September April) in the morning before school. We prepare for our winter and spring concert during these rehearsals, and most students consider this to be the most enjoyable part of fifth grade band! Rehearsal attendance is required for all band students to ensure that everyone experiences all aspects of being in band and is well prepared and confident for concert performances. The Parkview Band rehearses every Tuesday, (7:45-9:10am), and the Shannon Park Band rehearses every Wednesday (7:45-9:10am). More detailed information will be provided next Fall. 6. How Will I Obtain An Instrument For My Child? School Owned Instrument*, including Band For All instruments Family Owned Instrument** Music Store*** ONLINE or at the Band Open House: May 7, 8 (Highland Elementary) or 9 (Deerwood Elementary) MOST FAMILIES CHOOSE THIS OPTION. *School Owned Instrument. If your child selects one of these instruments you will rent it directly from the school district: FRENCH HORN BARITONE TUBA
The rental fee for district instruments is $100 for the entire school year. For students on reduced lunch the rental fee is $20, and there is no fee for students on free lunch. The rental fee is paid as part of the online registration for band. An instrument will be available for your child through high school graduation. Routine maintenance and repair is provided by District 196. However, the district is not responsible for student neglect, abuse or damage. Refunds for instrument rent are not given after June 1. Band For All Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch may apply to use a BAND FOR ALL instrument. The only cost for using a BAND FOR ALL instrument is a one-time charge of $20. This instrument may be used by the student through 12th grade for NO additional cost as long as he or she is enrolled in band in ISD 196. Due to limited inventory, BAND FOR ALL instruments are only available through a lottery system. Parents are required to sign an online contract and make an online payment of $20 within two weeks of being notified that they will get a BAND FOR ALL instrument (via the lottery system). Contact your band director if you need to pay with cash. Please indicate on the Participation Form if you would like your child to use an instrument through the Band For All program. Only students with permission from their band teacher may order a Band for All instrument from District 196. **Family Owned Instrument If you already own an instrument, please indicate this on the Participation Form and when you complete the online registration for band. If you plan to use an instrument you already own you will need to have a repair technician check the instrument and make necessary repairs so that it is in excellent playing condition. This may take several weeks, so be sure you have completed this step well before lessons begin. Based on the estimated cost of needed repairs, some families decide to rent an instrument from a music store and use the four-month introductory period to make sure your child is committed to that instrument before paying the cost for major repair work. Families who already own will need to purchase additional supplies that are included with store rented instruments. Please check with your teacher to know which additional supplies are required if you are using a family owned instrument. Here are some local quality repair shops: Valley Band Instrument Repair (Apple Valley) 952-432-3059 Groth Music (Bloomington) 952-884-4772 Schmitt Music (Burnsville) 952-435-2454 Eckroth Music (Roseville) 651-704-9654 It is strongly recommended that your child not assemble or play their instrument before their first lesson. Many instruments have been damaged from improper handling and poor playing habits are easily developed and hard to break. IMPORTANT NOTE ON INSTRUMENT QUALITY: A list of recommended instrument brands/models can be viewed on the Band website: http://goo.gl/fhynzy (click on the link: Should I RENT or BUY A Musical Instrument For My Child?). If you obtain an instrument from a friend or family member, online (Craigslist, Amazon.com, online music store, etc.), or another vendor, it is highly recommended that you try to find one of the recommended brands/models. These instruments are designed for beginners, typically produce a good sound, and present few repair problems. If you find another brand, please check with your band director before purchasing it to be sure it is appropriate for a beginner. A brief e-mail (or phone call) could prevent you from wasting money on a poor quality instrument that will not work well for your child. ***MUSIC STORES (MOST FAMILIES CHOOSE THIS OPTION): You may arrange to get an instrument from one of the three music stores that service our district online or at Band Open House in May. Registration for band should be completed online whether you will rent from one of these stores or not. The instruments that need to be obtained from a music store if you do not already own one are: $45.00 Music Store Trial-Purchase Fee: FLUTE CLARINET TRUMPET TROMBONE
***MUSIC STORES, continued: $75.00 Music Store Trial-Purchase Fee: PERCUSSION (xylophone and snare or drum pad) ALTO SAXOPHONE MUSIC STORE Trial-Purchase Fee The Music Store Trial-Purchase fee includes the trial-purchase of an instrument for four months. At the close of the trial-purchase period, parents may choose to purchase the above listed instruments on a payment plan, or return the instrument to the music store with no further obligation. Trial-purchase fees for the summer program will be consistently the same between the music stores and the fees will apply toward the purchase price of the instrument. The four month trial-purchase period begins when the student receives their instrument at their first summer lesson. Be aware that purchase plans after the trial-purchase period do vary among the music stores. You are encouraged to discuss purchase plans at the Band Open House or to contact each music store to inquire about their payment plans. For more information from the music stores, please contact the following music stores and/or visit their website: Eckroth Music: (651)704-9654, Daryk Narum Website: http://www.eckroth.com/ Groth Music: (952)884-4772, Edith Bohardt or Bill Golden Website: http://www.grothmusic.com/ Schmitt Music: (952)435-2454, Leeanne Kardock Website: http://www.schmittmusic.com/district196/ In order to assure proper care of the instruments, they will not be given to students at registration. The instruments will be delivered to school, and given to the students at their first summer lesson.
BAND OPEN HOUSE Monday, May 7 and Tuesday, May 8 at HIGHLAND ELEMENTARY 14001 Pilot Knob Road, Apple Valley 4:00 6:45pm or Wednesday, May 9 at Deerwood Elementary 1480 Deerwood Dr, Eagan, MN 55122 4:00 6:45pm Who should attend the BAND OPEN HOUSE? Parents are invited to attend Band Open House on one night, either May 7, 8 or 9. If you cannot attend Open House plan to contact the music stores directly BY PHONE OR ONLINE. If you are obtaining an instrument from the school district and have completed the online registration steps of renting the instrument and signing up for summer band lessons, or if you already have an instrument for your child and you have completed the online registration steps of signing up for summer band lessons: you do NOT need to come to Band Open House, but are welcome to attend if you would like to meet and talk to your Band Director. Purpose of the BAND OPEN HOUSE: 1. Music store representatives will be available to help you if you need to make arrangements to rent an instrument, and they will have instruments on display. 2. Your band director will be there to answer any questions you may have about the band program or summer band lessons. 3. Help will be provided for families who do not have internet access and could not complete the online registration signing up for summer band lessons. Questions about the participation of your child who is in fourth grade? Please contact your Band Director: Steve Olsen E-Mail: steve.olsen@district196.org Voice-Mail: 651.683.6969 (ext. 92978) Band Website: http://goo.gl/fhynzy
DISTRICT 196 ELEMENTARY BAND PARTICIPATION FORM Return this completed page to homeroom teacher no later than Thursday, March 1 Student: School: Classroom Teacher: Street Address: City: Zip: Home Phone: Parent/Guardian to contact if I have questions: Work Phone: Cell: E-Mail: (Please make any necessary corrections to the above information.) Yes, I am interested in having my son or daughter participate in the band program and would like the band director to help with the selection of an instrument. Yes, I am interested in having my child participate in the band program. Our family qualifies for our school s reduced or free lunch program, and we would like to request a Band for All instrument for a $20 fee if one is available. No, I am not interested in having my son or daughter participate in band. Instrument Selection Please indicate, with a 1, 2, and 3 your child's first, second, and third choice of instruments. There is a $100 fee to rent a district owned instrument for the entire year. For students on reduced lunch the rental fee is $20, and there is no fee for students on free lunch. Tuba (district owned) Baritone (district owned) French Horn (district owned) Trombone (Music Store rental = $45 first 4 months or purchase) Trumpet (Music Store rental = $45 first 4 months or purchase) Flute (Music Store rental = $45 first 4 months or purchase) Clarinet (Music Store rental = $45 first 4 months or purchase) Students trying clarinet attach $1 for a reed. For these 3 instruments, Music Store rental = $75 first 4 months. Make sure parents are okay with higher cost if you include one as a choice. Alto Saxophone (Purchase cost is about $1,900) Students trying alto sax attach $2 for a reed. Oboe (Extra specialized instrument. Purchase cost is about $2,700.) Students trying oboe attach $15 for a reed. Percussion (This selection requires a xylophone and snare drum or practice pad on stand that cost about $1,700) Please understand that physical considerations or availability of district-owned instruments may necessitate the trial of an instrument not listed as your child s first three choices. If you already own an instrument you wish your child to use, please specify the type of instrument and brand. (Example: Clarinet Yamaha, Trumpet - Getzen): Instrument Brand Parent/Guardian Signature IMPORTANT DATES TIMELINE: February: Read the online Band Handbook found on your school s webpage. March 1: Return this PARTICIPATION FORM due to home room teacher or band director. March 12 22: Band Interviews with Mr. Olsen to help each student select an appropriate instrument for them! April: Parents register online for summer lessons and arrange to get an instrument. May 7, 8 (4:00-6:45 p.m.): Band Open House Night @ Highland Elementary. Meet with representatives from music stores. May 9 (4:00-6:45 p.m.): Band Open House Night @ Deerwood Elementary. Meet with representatives from music stores. May 17: Final day to register for summer lessons. May 17: Be sure you have ordered an instrument by this date. May 29: Band directors test play all instruments at music stores. June August: Beginning lessons (Four different two week sessions offered).