RADNOR TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT MUSIC DEPARTMENT Spring 2014

Dear Parents,

In order to better acquaint you with the beginning band music program offered in the Radnor Township School District, I present the following resume of activities available to the fifth grade students in this area of the curriculum.

In fifth grade, interested students may begin the study of brass, woodwind or percussion instruments leading to participation in the 5th Grade Band. This is a sequential curriculum with the expectation to follow through with the same instrument from year to year. Choices include the flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, trumpet, trombone, French horn, baritone horn, tuba and percussion. Rental information will be available at a later date. From this list, the bassoon, French horn, baritone horn or tuba are be rented from the school district for a low minimal maintenance fee. Qualified students wishing to continue on these instruments beyond their first year may continue renting the school instruments. In most cases, we have enough of the larger instruments (French horn, baritone horn, tuba) to allow each student to keep an instrument at home and use another instrument in school, eliminating the problem of transporting these instruments.

Because saxophone is not offered for the first year, interested students are suggested to play one year on clarinet. Then after a year of successful study on clarinet, a limited number of students may switch to saxophone for their 6th grade year. Please indicate if this is your child’s intent on the attached form when signing up.

Students interested in percussion instruments will receive instruction on both drums and bells. Due to lesson group size limitation and available instruments, a maximum of 12 students (4 per building) will be allowed to begin percussion instruction. In my experience, I have found that a piano background is very helpful for students in learning the variety of instruments in the percussion family. Instrument information for percussion will also be available at a later date.

As to the program itself, lessons are given in small groups during the I/E Block. Later in the year, the beginning band is formed and will rehearse one morning a week before school. Parents are responsible for transportation to the weekly morning rehearsals. The concert will be held in the spring.

If you would like to enroll your child in the band program, please fill out the form attached to this letter. The selection of the proper instrument for your child is important for long-term success. Pitch recognition, motor skills, physical size, and shape of the jaw and lips are all factors, which must be considered when selecting an instrument. I strongly suggest that you list three instrument choices. I will then meet with each student to evaluate the appropriate matching of student and instrument. I will attempt to honor each student’s choice of instrument, while, at the same time, maintaining a balanced instrumentation based on available instruments. When the program is organized, rental information will be sent home. If you have questions, please note them on the form, email me at [email protected] or call me at 610-688-8100, ext. 2602.

Sincerely,

Danna Whitcomb Band Director

RADNOR TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT MUSIC DEPARTMENT

PLEASE RETURN TO YOUR CHILD’S CLASSROM TEACHER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

1. Choice of instrument in order of preference: PLEASE FILL IN ALL THREE CHOICES!

First______Second______Third______

TRUMPET FLUTE TROMBONE OBOE FRENCH HORN CLARINET BARITONE HORN BASSOON TUBA PERCUSSION (Drums/Bells)

2. Does your child have any piano experience?______If so, how long?______

3. Does your child have his/her own band instrument at the present time?______

If yes, what kind?______Is it in playable condition?______Instrument/brand

(If unsure, please bring the instrument in for an evaluation.)

4. Has your child received private instruction on this instrument?______

Private Teacher’s name: ______

5. Child’s name:______

Address:______

Parent E-mail address:______

Parent Phone:______

6. Parent’s signature:______

7. Classroom Teacher’s name:______

8. Questions:______

______