5th grade band

Home Concert Schedule Class Schedule Online Music Lessons Fun Music Websites 5th Grade Band Free Downloads	5th Grade Band How to Join * Materials Needed for 5th Grade Band Grading Procedure * Private Lessons * Helpful Hints for Students Helpful Hints for Parents * Print a Practice Sheet! Class Calendar - When do I have class? What do I practice?

	Don't forget to Practice!! 20 minutes - 5 days a week will give you 100 minutes!! Practicing more often will make you a better musician than practicing all of your minutes in one or two days.
	How to Join! Every fall 5th graders have the opportunity to join band. The students and I have discussed what kinds of instruments will be available to play: flute clarinet oboe bassoon alto saxophone tenor saxophone french horn trumpet trombone baritone percussion (snare drum & bell kit). It is important that we have a well-balanced band. If I get too many students wanting to play a certain instrument, it can create a problem where that instrument drowns out the sound of other instruments. I will be keeping track as students purchase their instruments, so please have your child keep me informed! Purchasing an Instrument Instruments are not provided to your child by the school. There are many places that you can purchase an instrument! There are 2 music stores in town, Eckroth Music and Hansons Music, that both sell musical instruments and do rent-to-own programs. This is a good place to get a musical instrument that is of good quality and is ready to play. You also can get excellent, reliable advice from trained professionals about the instruments. This is a good place to go visit even if you end of purchasing an instrument somewhere else. The rent-to-own plans are great – please check this option out. Many people get instruments from family members and friends. If you know the person that you are getting the instrument from, ask them if you can take it to the repair shop to get the instrument assessed for any repairs that might need to be made. (Eckroth has an in-store repair shop.) The instrument might look great to you, but there probably are adjustments that need to be made and possibly pads that need to be replaced. Pawn shops, garage sales and ebay. I have had some students have great luck (and bad) at getting good instruments from these places. If you purchase an instrument from one of these places, IMMEDIATELY take it in and have it assessed for repairs. The most important thing that you can do for a child that is starting band is to make sure their instrument is in good playing condition. There is nothing more frustrating and disheartening than trying to learn on an instrument that isn’t working properly. Eckroth Music 922 Grand Ave. Billings, Montana 59101 Phone: 252-2604 http://www.eckroth.com/band_orch/index.html Hanson Music - Grand Avenue Billings, Montana TOP
	Materials needed for 5th grade band: 1. We are updating to the Enhanced Version of Standard of Excellence Book #1. 2. Queenwood Beginning Band - Book 2 3. Queenwood Beginning Band - Book 3 The Queenwood books will be ordered through Eckroth Music during the first quarter. Students need these two books by the beginning of January. In addition, each instrument needs specialized accessories to keep their instrument in good condition. Clarinets & Saxophones: cork grease, reeds (one box), swab to clean instrument, reed saver; Flutes - a swab to clean instrument Trumpets - Valve oil & a cloth to clean instrument with; Trombones - value oil or cream Percussion: two pair of drum sticks for the snare drum A music stand is also a great buy. It makes practice a whole lot easier when you can see your music clearly! PLEASE PUT YOUR CHILD’S NAME ON THE INSTRUMENT CASE BEFORE SENDING THEM TO SCHOOL WITH IT! LUGGAGE TAGS WORK GREAT! TOP
	Grading Procedure * 10 points -Attendance to Class with Instrument (If a student forgets his/her instrument, he or she will needs to attend class.) * 20 points Weekly Practice Sheet– see scale below * 50 points Concert Attendance and Participation Points vary for regular testing. Extra points are given throughout the year. If your child forgets to bring their instrument to school – the first time will be excused – and every time after that they will receive a zero for the day. Excessive irresponsibility may result in expulsion from band. It is very important that the students attend class. They have made an important commitment to you and to the rest of their classmates. If they decide to skip and go out to recess, there will be a consequence. The students can earn up to 10 points on the weekly practice sheet. The scale is listed below: • 10 points: 100 minutes – 120 minutes and above • 8 points: 80 minutes – 99 minutes • 6 points: 70 minutes – 79 minutes • 4 points: 60 minutes – 69 minutes • 2 points: 0 minutes – 59 minutes Practice sheets are turned in weekly and must be signed by a parent or guardian. If the student practices 20 minutes per day it will give them 140 minutes for the week. Practice sheets are available in the Intermediate music room TOP
	Do I need to take private lessons? Private music instruction can help your child’s progress. I can provide names of wonderful private music teachers in the area. I highly encourage you to consider this option. Learning to play an instrument takes a lot of time and effort. Your involvement is very important. Be encouraging, as learning an instrument can be frustrating! It is important that they memorize fingerings and be able to read the notes on the staff as they play. Click here to take you to the Billings Public Schools website list of private music instructors. TOP
	Helpful Hints for Students * Motivation is Key!! Develop good habits and a daily practice schedule. Parents, please listen to your child play and give encouragement. Sometimes it can be frustrating for your child to get a concept or note - encourage them to keep trying! * Make sure you are cleaning your instruments after you play. * Are you practicing every day? Make sure you get in at least 20 minutes! Don't forget to put your practice time on your practice sheet and have your parent/guardian sign it for you! (click here for practice sheet sample that may be printed.) * Remember to bring your instrument and books! It is very important to have them in class on the day you have band. If you forget it, you will miss important class instruction time. You will also lose points and even test grades! * Have you performed for your family? Set up a time to have a mini-recital and show your family what you can do. * If you are having trouble, just come in and make an appointment with me! TOP
	Helpful Hints for Parents! * Encourage your child to play for family and friends. * Offer compliments and encouragement regularly. * Expose your child to a wide variety of music including concerts and recitals. * Encourage your child to talk to you about his/her lessons. * Make sure that your child's instrument is always in good working order. * Listen to your child practice, and acknowledge improvement. * Set a consistent practice time for every day and provide a quiet place to practice. TOP
	©2005. [Stephanie Miller]. All right reserved Email Mrs. Miller at smith-millers@lockwood.k12.mt.us