Welcome to Instrument Night!

“ta” . . . not “tmiller” Mrs. Tani R. Miller, Director of Orchestras Hershey Elementary School [email protected] HES Orchestra Social Media & Orchestra Website

Instagram • chocolatetownfiddlers • https://www.instagram.com/chocolatetownfiddlers/ • A few fun photos of kids in orchestra.

Edublog • Chocolatetown Fiddlers • http://chocolatetownfiddlers.edublogs.org • The new primary page for communication with parents & students. • Facebook • Tani Miller in Hershey, PA* • https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100013294788523 • Communication with parents and the Hershey community. • *this name will soon change to Chocolatetown Fiddlers . . . when FB allows me to do so! ;o)

DTSD Teacher Site • Tani Miller, on the intermediate staff page • http://www.hershey.k12.pa.us/Domain/281 • May soon simply have a link to my Edublog site. Welcome from Mrs. Miller! Thank you for your interest in enrolling your child in our elementary school orchestra program. In the last 13 years, our program has grown from an initial 34 students to between 150-250 students each year. Our students demonstrate much learning and musical growth in their time spent learning to play a string instrument.

This packet of information will include lots of answers to your questions. Read carefully. This will be posted all year long so you may refer back to this document.

Yes, playing an instrument requires a financial commitment. Our music teachers have researched instrument brands with the goal of seeking out quality instruments that allow for success in music-making but also that are of a reasonable cost. Please feel free to dialogue with music teachers should you see an instrument and wonder if it is a good deal.

Program structure information is included as well as starting dates and concert dates. Please familiarize yourself with the requirements of our program. Our music ensembles are an enjoyable experience for kids but do have some very firm expectations regarding practicing, attendance, and concerts.

I encourage you to always email me with questions . . . All questions and comments are welcome! Email is the preferred method of communication.

Mrs. Tani Miller, HES orchestra director [email protected] (717) 531-2244, ext. 5001 I. String Program Structure Parts of HES Orchestra Program

Lessons

Small Group Sectionals

Full Orchestra Lessons

Students learn “how” to play their instruments during lessons.

– Posture/instrument position – Shape of the LH – Finger patterns – Bow hold – Bowing technique • Smallest group • Best place to ask for help. Mostly grouped according to rhythm/tonal aptitude. • Only component that involves missing classroom instruction. • May be on a week day or cycle day. • Starts first week in October. Look for lesson form at end of September. Small Group Students learn group performance skills unique to their instrument.

• Sectionals – A: Tuesdays – Violin B: Wednesdays – : Thursdays – /Bass: Mondays – Harp: will join one violin group • Small group learning bridges the gap between individual performance technique and ensemble group performance skills. • We also reinforce music reading skills. • Starts week of October 17. Held during recess. Full Orchestra Students learn to perform together as a full ensemble with all orchestra instruments. • Involves all orchestra students. • We learn to play together as a group with multiple parts. • Listening to different parts and uniform performance skills are emphasized. • Largest group rehearsal • Held every Thursday, 2:45-3:30. • If your child has regular early dismissals, please contact Mrs. Miller. Avoid appointments during this time if possible. Does my child have to practice at home? • Yes! Practice Is Required & Necessary. • Students will receive weekly assignments and will be assessed on this material. • Why? • Builds muscle memory, reading fluency • Develops fluency in reading music • Music lessons involve curriculum, homework, & assessments. • Students who don’t practice will struggle, especially with music reading • Some kids need more, some will want to practice more, . . . More is always a good thing! • Kids who practice, like playing their instruments. • Kids who don’t practice struggle with music reading and often don’t develop muscle memory for physical skills. • Kids who practice regularly in elementary school, are usually successful in MS & HS orchestra. Ideas & Insight for Parents on Practicing . . . Today’s students need parent help in finding time to practice. Here are some ideas for parents . . . • Make practicing part of homework. Monitor to ensure they practice their assignment. • Have family performances each week. Cheer for them! • Students are asked to practice 4 times per week • 4th graders will start with 10 minutes and build up to 20 minutes, if you don’t tell them that 20 minutes is up they will probably continue for longer! :o) • 5th graders are asked to practice for 20-30 minutes, students in orchestra 5 have more music to learn so they truly do need more time. • Shorter times in the beginning while fingers are adjusting. Patience! • Even if new skills are challenging, tell them to keep at it. Sometimes new skills take several weeks to develop. All new notes can be found in the lesson book with labels. Be resourceful! • Not sounding good is okay and part of learning! Dare to make a mistake! Laugh at a mistake and try again! What should my child practice?

I. Lesson Book Assignments, circled in the book each week All students must have the following books. (parents must purchase these for new students): a. Essential Elements 2000 book 1*, for their instrument b. Fiddling Fingers, for their instrument c. Don’t buy teacher books. Check the instrument carefully. A violin book will not work for a bass player. d. Students who already take private lessons must have these books, too. e. Please purchase lesson books when renting instrument. II. Other exercises on worksheets kept in white binder (rhythms, scales, fiddle tunes, folk songs, harmony/bass lines) a. Provided by Mrs. Miller b. Reinforce pockets with duct tape. c. Kids will decorate covers so that their binder is unique and can be easily and quickly located. d. Students are expected to keep binder organized.

III. Orchestra Music I’m worried about my child missing class for lessons . . . Will it affect my child’s school progress?

• Lessons are the only part of our program that involves missing additional instructional time. • Classroom teachers do have great strategies in place to help students with making up work. • Parents can also help by monitoring this on the night after the lesson. Simply ask your child if they have made up the work they missed. • Research shows benefits: Robert Gillespie, OSU, reviewed literature and completed a new study showing strong evidence that students who miss class time for music lessons tend to perform better in academic settings and on standardized tests than students who do not take music lessons. http://musiced.nafme.org/resources/the- elementary-pull-out-crisis-using-research-effectively/ • No lessons will be scheduled during recess or specials. Recess time is used for one small group rehearsal. Kids need the rest of their recesses for play. How do concerts work? We do two concerts per year for Orchestra 5 and one concert per year for Orchestra 4. • Orchestra 5: – Holiday Concert – Spring Concert – School Holiday Concert Assembly (not for parents) • Orchestra 4: – Spring Concert II

*Spring concerts are a different format than in previous years.

Dates can always be found on DTSD Activities Calendar Family Vacation Conflicts: Avoid for concerts please. Attendance is expected and required. We do our best to avoid Thursdays/Fridays as other community groups do things on these days. Kids LOVE concert performances! Invite family and friends. The DTSD never charges ticket fees for school music concerts! What are the dates of my child’s concerts? • It depends upon your child’s grade. • Fifth Grade Orchestra – Holiday Concert, December 13, 2016 – Holiday Assembly, December 14, 2016 – Spring Concert I, May 1, 2017 – Chamber Strings will also perform on May 2 concert. • Fourth Grade Orchestra – Spring Concert I, May 1, 2017 – No holiday concert for beginners • We wear dressy black and white clothing for all concerts. More to come on this. II. What kind of instruments do young students require? Example of a real Violin . . . A really awesome violin! This not what you want. Real Strads are unaffordable by most of us. Also, the name “Stradivarius” is used by many luthiers as an advertising ploy and does not indicate quality. If you have an old instrument with a label indicating a “Stradivarius,” it’s probably not the real deal. There are many poor instruments on the market today. Avoid E-bay and big box store instruments as they have many flaws. Our district recommended vendors sell quality products at reasonable prices. Their instruments come from companies Owned by Yale University, that engage in ethical labor practices. Collection of Musical The Samuel Eastman instruments are the number one recommended student Instruments, New Haven, CT. instrument brand, according to Strings magazine. Characteristics of good quality student instruments . . . • Sound is resonant and full. Strings are good quality, not scratchy and without rough edges/fraying sections. • is fitted properly to the individual instrument. Cheap instruments often have unusable bridges. • Pegs fit snugly and don’t slip easily. Good pegs are made out of ebony and are hand-fitted to the instrument. • Fine tuners are a must! • Instrument is the proper size for student. This not negotiable as it inpacts the physical health of the child. Proper sized instruments include those that you may already own. It must be the correct size for your child. • Student instruments can and should sound beautiful! • The appearance is no indication of quality. Pretty shiny instruments and colored instruments can and are often not usable as they can’t be tuned and played properly. What will I see in poor quality string instruments?

• Poorly fitted pegs. The end of the peg is often not rounded. If the pegs look painted, they are probably not ebony/boxwood. Softwood pegs can and do slip in cold weather. They can also break easily. • made out of soft wood instead of ebony or boxwood. Look under the fingerboard. If it is not completely black, it’s most certainly painted softwood. • Usually poor quality instruments look shiny and new. • Lack of fine tuners or fine tuners with cheap screws that will often not function properly. • are rarely made of ebony. Good instruments also have metal tailpieces. The key is to turn the fine tuners. Poorly made fine tuners often don’t move easily. Once can sometimes tell if the fine tuner screws might become stripped. • The is poorly cut and will cause strings to break easily. You can often see rough edges. More qualities of poorly made instruments . . . • Bridges that are not carved to fit the instrument. An extra bridge in the case is a sign that it is mass produced. • Fingerboard may be warped due to being made out of softwood or with poor craftmanship. Look under the fingerboard . . . You can see if it is painted. It should be the same color as the top and should be made out of ebony. • The angle and the placement of the strings over the fingerboard is often wrong, the bridge contributes to this as does the fingerboard. • Lightweight cases that may look good but that are primarily made of styro-foam. • Bows with synthetic (plastic) bow hair. This type of hair won’t hold rosin and won’t produce resonant sound. Poorly made bows won’t tighten properly due to the frog not functioning, and may have warped sticks that do not have the proper camber. Poorly made bows won’t allow the student to articulate clearly as they don’t hold rosin. And yet more qualities of poorly made instruments . . .

• Pegbox made of softwood instead of spruce or maple. This is the primary cause of slipping pegs. This can’t be fixed. • Painted/Colored: Not one of these instruments, unless custom made, is of good quality. Custom made instruments will be extremely expensive. It’s mostly a sales gimmick. • Strings: An extra set of strings or strings for which the brand name is not specified. This is a common advertising ploy for poorly made instruments. • Rosin that is not made by a reputable manufacturer.

Good article on poorly made instruments, includes pictures: http://www.violinist.com/blog/laurie/201011/11787/ Tuning Pegs are really important!

• Wood Type: Pegs need to be made out of hardwood, such as ebony or boxwood, since they maintain a lot of tension in the strings. • Hand-fitted: Pegs need to be well-fitted and are individually fitted to each instrument. • Why? Pegs made out of softwood and poorly fitted often slip, causing instruments to go out of tune frequently. These pegs can also break easily. • Pegbox: The pegbox also needs to be made out of sturdy wood, soft wood will cause pegs to slip often. • Common characteristic of inexpensive instruments: This is probably the most common characteristic of poorly made instruments. • Poorly made pegs are the most common reason for an instrument not being able to be used by a child. Problems with fingerboard . . .

• Materials: Like pegs, the fingerboard should be made out of ebony. You can see this by looking at the underside of the fingerboard. If you can see light colored (white-ish) wood, it is made out of softwood that has been painted. This type of fingerboard tends to warp and causes all kinds of issues. • Why is this important? The fingerboard can cause all kinds of buzzing and fuzzy sounds when not made properly. Warped can also cause issues with the height of the strings above the fingerboard. It is very challenging to play an instrument if the string height is not set up properly. • A fingerboard is not something that can be easily fixed. Problems with Bridges

• Handfitted: Decent bridges are usually made out of maple and are hand fitted to each instrument. The feet are carved to fit the curvature of the instrument body and the top edge is also hand carved to match the curvature of the fingerboard. • Poorly made bridges are made by machines, do not properly fit the instrument, and are not cut to match the curvature of the individual end of the fingerboard, this curvature is unique to each instrument. They will warp easily. • How does this affect playing the instrument? Bridges that are not fitted properly will cause problems with the angles of the bow. Usually it is difficult for a performer to play on a single string when the bridge is not cut properly. In addition, a bridge that is too high will cause problems with pressing down the strings. • The is also related to the bridge. It should be placed under the foot on one side of the bridge. If not set up properly, the sound post will easily fall, causing cracks in the body of the instrument. • Real horsehair, not fiberglass • Well-haired, not thin, minimal discoloration • Tightening screw usable by child • Strings must be of a reputable brand. Our students use Prelude, Dominant, and Helicore strings on rental instruments. • Poorly made strings may cost less but won’t last as long, don’t stay in tune, and inhibit sound production. • Kids can tell when strings aren’t good. Problems with the Bow

• Materials: quality bows have real horsehair, an ebony frog, and a stick with the proper amount of curvature and camber, student bows are not usually made out of wood • Synthetic bow hair doesn’t hold rosin. This is important. . . The bow won’t work without rosin. • Bow Stick: Bows with sticks that aren’t curved properly won’t respond the right way when trying to execute bowing patterns. • Tightening mechanism: bows that do not tighten/loosen properly are not able to be adjusted to the proper performance tension • Some of these items can be remedied but not anything dealing with the bow hardware. • Our vendor bows are all well made. Some final thought on student instruments, therefore . . .

• CAN sound beautiful. • CAN be affordable. • Don’t be fooled by the appearance. Instruments that look pretty may not be good quality instruments. • Be aware of internet/big box store “deals” . . . • Instruments purchased online may have hidden flaws such repaired broken necks. • Renting is preferred because students WILL grow and will need larger sizes. Students must have correct size. • While we might prefer to just “buy an instrument”, it’s really the best option that ensures that you can . . . – Trade up for a new size – Have most maintenance done at no cost – Have an instrument replaced if lost or stolen Okay . . . That’s a lot of information. What does my child need? . . .

• An instrument produces a sound that is resonant and full • Reasonable quality of strings that are resonant and able to be tuned • A bridge that is custom fitted and that functions properly • A fingerboard/nut/bridge set-up that puts the strings at the proper height and angle • Ebony/boxwood pegs that fit snugly and don’t slip easily. • Fine tuners are a must! • The instrument be able to be tuned quickly and easily. Mrs. Miller reserves the right to state that an instrument may not be used because it does not function properly. • It must be the proper size for your child so that we can play using healthy posture/position. • The bow must have real horsehair, not be warped, and the frog mechanism must tighten loosen properly. • / must have a Kun shoulder rest. No sponges.

There are good student model instrument available that meet all of these criteria. Read on . . . How do I get my child the instrument that you recommend? . . .

• Use a school district recommended music store. Our music teachers have researched area stores for you. • We only recommend stores that meet our high level criteria for instruments. • We work with stores on your behalf. • We will advocate for you with a store if you need help. • You can trust that our recommended stores have “rent-to-own” programs that allow for the following . . . – Size-ups with no change in your contract – Good quality strings – Good quality instruments that sound beautiful – Cases that will last – Good bows with real horsehair – A fair and reasonable monthly/quarterly fee • And other benefits too numerous to name here. • Read on for how to get started. It won’t take you as much time to do the paperwork as it does to read this presentation information! ;o) III. Rental Details Why rent? . . I don’t want those monthly payment.

• Rental programs are really “rent-to-own” programs (this is not like leasing a car). Almost all of your payment builds equity in paying off the instrument. If your child discontinues their participation, your financial investment is minimal. • Your child will grow. Renting allows for unlimited size changes without increasing your payment. Do you really want to buy 3-4 instruments . . . ? • Avoid internet purchases and big box store instruments. They may look good but don’t usually work. Internet instruments may have flaws that are not easily seen in photos. (i.e. broken necks). Repair technicians will not fix broken instruments from these stores. • By renting, you also have a maintenance plan and replacement insurance. Each store has a different program so please see the specifics for this. Some stores do charge extra for their maintenance plan. • Some rental programs provide free music stands, free shoulder rests/rock stops, cleaning cloths, and rosin. Look at these details before selecting a plan. The quality of the instrument and bow should always be the primary consideration. Do all instruments have to be rented?

Violin: rent Viola: rent ‘Cello: rent* Bass: rent/school-owned** Harp: see Mrs. Miller if you want to invest in this instrument, it’s a different process.

Limited school instruments are available in our Jump Start program for violin/viola during the fourth grade year only. Contact Mrs. Miller for information.

Specific information for Cello/Bass students starts on slide 45. I have to give a size for rentals . . . How does this work?

• STUDENTS MUST PLAY ON THE CORRECT SIZED INSTRUMENT. • Violins: fractional sizes (1/8, ¼, ½, ¾, 4/4) • Violas: measured in inches (10”, 11”, 12”, 13”, 14”) • Cello: same as violin, we tend to be conservative with this instrument • Bass: similar to violin, most will play on 1/8, ¼, or 5/8.

Students physical growth is the main reason why we encourage rental programs . . . All but a few of our students will go through several size instruments. Doing a “rent-to-own” program ensures that your child can change sizes when it is developmentally appropriate to do so. Your rental contract doesn’t change with size exchanges. Mrs. Miller has measured all students. Please ask for size. Email is good for this contact: [email protected] Do I have to purchase anything else? . . . What actually comes with the instrument? I. Items provided with most rental instrument programs include: instrument, bow, case, and rosin.

II. Additional items which may or may not be provided with rental instrument programs . . . • Cleaning cloth . . . can be a clean washcloth or other recycled cloth, can also purchase specific cleaning cloth, purchasing is not necessary • Music stand . . . May be included, see music store slides for details, MUST HAVE • Cello/Bass: Rock stop . . . See the cello/bass slides • Violins/Violas: Kun style shoulder rest. This brand is required unless Mrs. Miller requests a change. Check your rental vendor to see if provided. – No sponges may be used . . . They don’t last and don’t work. – You will find two brands to be similar but they tend to fall off our Eastman instruments (Everest & Fom) – Kun has replacement parts for when the brackets wear out. • Two lesson books . . . See slide #8 for names, vendors know this info. Items provided by the school district . . . • Binder: Provided by the school district • Pencil/highlighter (provided by the school district) Here’s a simplified checklist of the previous slide. • Instrument • Case • Rosin • Bow • Cleaning cloth • Violin/Viola: Kun shoulder rest • Cello/Bass: rock stop • Bass: case for bow • Tuner: wait to purchase through school • Music stand • Lesson Books (Essential Elements 2000, Fiddling Fingers) You’ve convinced me to do a “Rent-To- Own” program. Anything else I should think of? • Is the maintenance plan an option? This is a must! Some stores charge an extra fee for a maintenance plan. Elect it if it isn’t included in the monthly fee. • Does your rental store have the brands we recommend? All district recommended music stores do this! You don’t have to worry about this one. • Does the store send a representative to our schools? District recommended stores will do this. You don’t have to drive to the store. • What is included? See the slides for specific stores and also read the rental literature sent home by Mrs. Miller. • INSTRUMENTS WILL BE DELIVERED TO MRS. MILLER AT SCHOOL AND WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AT THE FIRST LESSON. • NOTE: Sometimes we run out of music store flyers. All of our district-recommended music stores (for string instruments) have websites. I still think I can find a cheap deal on the internet . . . Why should I NOT purchase a $50 shiny violin?

• Our music teachers have researched most instrument brands and music stores in Central PA. • The Samuel Eastman brand instruments recommended to you by Mrs. Miller have been nationally recognized in Strings Magazine as being the favorite brand of string teachers. Samuel Shen and basses are also highly recommended. • You will get good rental rates from our district-recommended music stores. • You will always get the brands we recommend if you rent from a district recommended store. • These stores offer maintenance and may offer replacement insurance. Stores will transport instruments to and from our school. • You never have to drive to a store!

A good instrument A VSO is a “violin is fun to shaped object” that play! is more useful as a baseball bat than as a working instrument. IV. Music Store details J.R. Judd Violin Details

The information below gives some specific details on things that parents often ask when renting. Please read the information from the vendors.

• Instruments, case, bow, and rosin are provided in rental plan. • Quarterly payments (violin/viola) and monthly payments (cello/bass). Be careful when you look at violin/viola payments . . . This is the cost for a quarter (three month), not each month. • All instruments are new or like new. • Items included at no extra cost . . . – Rock stops (cello/bass) – Music stands (all instruments) – Kun shoulder rests (violin/viola) – Maintenance plan & Replacement Insurance is also included • Must purchase lesson books. HES does not provide them. • Style of case: zip-up backpack case • A representative comes to our school, no need to drive to the store. This is a wonderful benefit! • Webesite: https://www.jrjuddviolins.com Menchey Music Details The information below gives some specific details on things parents often ask when renting. Please read the information from the vendors.

• Instruments, case, bow, and rosin are provided in rental plan. • Take note of rental fees for different size string instruments. All fees are collected monthly. • Both new and used instrument programs. • Included items . . . – Rock stop (cello/bass) – Cleaning cloth • Must purchase music stand if you do not own one. • Must purchase Kun shoulder rest (violin/viola only). • Must purchase lesson books. HES does not provide them. • Maintenance program is available. Please elect this program. There will be an additional fee. This will cover most repairs. Replacement strings are not included in maintenance program. • Cases are usually hard cases, rectangular shaped. • A representative comes to our school, no need to drive to the store. This is a wonderful benefit! • Website: http://www.mencheymusic.com Country String Shop

• Instruments, case, bow, and rosin are provided in rental plan. • Located in Campbelltown, PA. • Visit store for rental and purchase details. Sometimes rentals are not available, other times rentals are available. • All instruments are new or like new. Some are very fine hand- carved hand-made instruments. • Recommended for serious players. • Sells all accessories. • Includes some but not all maintenance with purchase/rental. • Family-owned small store. • Must purchase lesson books. • Must purchase Kun shoulder rest (violin/viola). • Must purchase rock stops (cello/bass). • Cases are usually zip-up backpack cases. Good durability. • Website: http://www.countrystringshop.com

Ask Mrs. Miller if you should consider going to this store. This is not a mass-rental store but does sell and produce fine instruments. Make sure you understand how size-ups work with this store. V. Getting Started . . . Step-by-Step “What to do” checklist . . . Due dates on the next slide

1. Help your child select an instrument . . . We’ve spent a lot of time on this in school. First choices are usually best. Use their pink tryout sheet as a basis for conversations about instrument choice.

2. Return orange form. 3. Select a rental vendor and complete paperwork. Don’t forget lesson books and instrument sizes.

Helpful hints . . . • You can do rental info on-line for all stores except CSS. • Violin/Viola fees are either collected monthly or quarterly, depending on the vendor. If your violin payment is a $36 quarterly payment, the monthly cost is $12. • Examine the rental fees and maintenance plans carefully. • Again . . . Purchase lesson books when you rent the instruments. • Send written forms to the music store, not school 4. Put concert dates into your family calendar. (slide 13) Due Dates for Forms & Rental Contracts

• Wednesday, September 21, 2016: • Instruments rental contracts must be completed • Email Mrs. Miller to obtain your child’s instrument size. • Friday, September 23, 2016 • Orange Final Commitment Forms are due • Students will NOT be scheduled for a lesson until this form is received. • We must adhere to this deadline so that we have time to schedule lessons that work for kids and classroom teachers.

Email Mrs. Miller with any questions. [email protected] Review of Starting Dates for 4th Grade Students • Lessons start first week in October • Email Mrs. Miller if you haven’t received a lesson form by October 5. • Small Groups start week of October 17. • First Full Orchestra Rehearsal: Thursday, October 27. • Students will receive a complete schedule of their days/times when they get their binder.

Email Mrs. Miller with any questions. [email protected] Olivia, a former Hershey student performing at the Stringfest Concert. VI. Specific Information for Cello & Bass Details for Cellists

• Cellos must be rented for at-home practice. No school cellos are available to take home. • Students will be assigned a school cello for use during lessons and rehearsals. Home cellos do not have to come to school other than for tuning once per month or as needed. • Cello students who rent through Menchey Music must purchase a rock stop. This will be provided if you rent through J.R. Judd. • If your child plays on a small size (1/4 or ½), contact Mrs. Miller before renting. • It is extra important that cello students have a music stand. • Rented cellos will come home after the second lesson. Make arrangements for pick-up if possible. • Rental cellos must come in about once per month for tuning. You can check this by playing side-by-side strings (the pitches should sound like the first few notes of the ABC song or Twinkle). • Cellos need humidity or pegs will slip. There are various ways to do this. Humidifiers in your house and a “Damp-it” will go far towards helping your pegs stay put. Google “Damp-its” for info. • Parents should monitor care of home cellos. Please don’t wait to bring to school for tuning. Details for Bassists • Bass students are selected by Mrs. Miller through an audition process. School instruments are limited. • Basses come in various sizes. Students do not have to be tall to play the bass! • Only 3 students may use school basses each year. • Parents may rent a bass and are encouraged to do so. All students whose parents rent a bass are automatically selected. • Students playing bass need the following items . . . – A ¼ K. Holtz bass bow – A bow case, they will be bringing their own bow back and forth from school – Pops or Nyman bass rosin, keep at home – Lesson books (the same books as all other string instruments) – Music stand, a must! – A Korg tuner is suggested. – Damp-it: humidifier for winter months – Contact Mrs. Miller for details on purchasing these items. • It is suggested that you have a conversation with Mrs. Miller if you child wants to play this instrument. VII. Finally . . .

Thank you for your support of your child’s music education!

[email protected] (717) 531-2277, ext. 5001