Heath Elementary School

Heath Elementary School Strings Program 2010-2011 Our strings program is starting up again next week, with a classroom visit by instructor David Tasgal next Monday, September 13, and violin (or cello) classes beginning on the following Monday, September 20. The strings program is open to all students in grades K- 6 as well as to parents and community members. (Kindergarten students may take lessons only if a parent attends each week.)

Instructor David Tasgal received his M.M. in Music Education from the University of Massachusetts and performs violin, cello, and clarinet regularly in orchestral and chamber settings and in the Wholesale Klezmer Band. He will be instructing from his own books using a method he developed after twenty-five years of teaching Suzuki violin and public school strings classes.

The study of music can help increase self-esteem and confidence as well as improve concentration, aural skills, and motor skills. It is also great fun and a wonderful opportunity to make music with friends and classmates. Students will have the option to perform for friends and family in the spring both at the Heath school and in the district-wide music concert held at Mohawk High School.

Lessons will be held on Mondays during school hours for a half-hour each week. Students are expected to practice at home, ideally every day for ten to fifteen minutes, and to listen to the CD as often as possible. Parents are invited and encouraged to attend lessons when possible and to help students establish good practice habits at home. Parents should carry out the easy instructions for how to be a good parent helper included in Book 1.

Because strings lessons are held during the school day, students will be missing some instructional time in the classroom. All students are responsible for any missed work. If the school has concerns about the student’s academic performance in the classroom, a discussion between the classroom teacher, principal, and parents will take place to determine if the child is able to continue to participate in the strings program.

Students will need to rent or purchase a violin to participate. Violins are available from many on- line sources. You can also buy or rent from several area dealers, including:

o Mark Leue, Ashfield - 628-3367 o The Violin Shop, Brattleboro 802-254-5525 o Fretted Instruments, Amherst- 256-6217

In addition, former and current students may have violins they have outgrown. Feel free to contact David or any of the parents on the strings leadership team about where to get a violin.

The strings program will be coordinated this year by a Strings Leadership Team including me, parents from each class, and teacher Jorie MacLeod. This year, families will not be billed directly for violin classes; all parents should plan to take part in the necessary fundraising activities (see attached contract). Please contact instructor David Tasgal (624-3474) about his teaching method and student requirements. Feel free to contact Rebekah Boyd-Owens (625-6260) or Phoebe Walker (625-9883) with general program questions, and return the attached form by Friday, September 17, if your child will be participating.

We hope many of you will take advantage of this opportunity to participate in the strings program!

Sincerely,

Jeanine Heil, Principal Strings Program Parent Contract 2010/11 School Year

Child’s name: ______Classroom Teacher:______

Parent Information: Parent 1 Parent 2 (if different info) Name ______Name ______Phone ______Phone ______Email ______Email ______Address ______Address______Your child’s success in learning to play a stringed instrument depends, to a great extent, on how much help they get at home. I will carry out the book’s easy parent instructions for how to be a good parent helper to my child. I can assure that my child will practice regularly and listen to the CD regularly Because we can no longer charge parents for violin classes, in order to cover the cost of the strings program, parent participation in fundraising efforts is vital. I can work on the following fundraisers (please check three): o Pizza Sale (October)

o Bake Sale (November)

o Crazy Socks Sale (December Winter Holidays)

o Fudge Sale (February/Valentine’s Day)

o Bake Sale (April)

o Grant-writing

o Other (your idea): ______

o I can donate money to support the strings program on a regular basis. Please remind me quarterly to donate $______/month.

Signature: ______Date: ______