Reading Fleming Intermediate School 2016­2017 INSTRUMENT REGISTRATION PACKET (Band and )

For Students and Parents Ms. Susan Guckin Mrs. Audrey Spies [email protected] [email protected] ​ ​ ​

Welcome to RFIS and the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument! This packet outlines the responsibilities and policies of the instrumental music program to insure a successful year.

Today your child observed an instrument demonstration to help them decide if and which instrument they would like to learn. Please take some time to discuss this opportunity with your child and the responsibilities that come along with it. Band and Orchestra is offered to all 5th and 6th grade students during the school day. Lessons take place during their TWC period. Students are not taken out of academics. If you decide to study an instrument, complete and ​ return the last page of this packet to register your child for the program by TUESDAY, 9/13. Note that students are not required to play an instrument. ​ ​ ​

INSTRUMENTS

Note: Please DO NOT rent or purchase a PERCUSSION KIT until your child’s choice is confirmed. Students who choose PERCUSSION, will attend a Percussion Demo Lesson before their choice is confirmed.

Instrument Choices are:

BAND: Flute, , , Trombone, and Percussion. th Important Notes: Saxophone will not be a​ vailable until 6 grade. Students who wish to play ​ ​ th​ SAXOPHONE should start on C​ LARINET in 5 grade. This year on clarinet prepares them for ​ ​ nd saxophone. Students who select percussi​ on should list a 2 choice. ​

th ORCHESTRA: , and . Note: String Bass will not​ be available until 6 grade. ​ th​ Students who are interested in Bass shoul​ d start on cello in 5 grade. ​ ● If purchasing at a music store, be sure the child is present so they can be properly sized. ● If purchasing online, be sure and follow the procedures for measuring your child for the proper size instrument. ● Attention violin/viola students: a shoulder rest is necessary. We recommend Everest, Kun or ​ Wolf shoulders rest because they will grow with you as you grow into the next size ​ instrument.

If you have an instrument at home that your child plans to use, please have it checked out by a ​ qualified instrument repairman to be sure it works properly before starting lessons. ​ ​

If you need to obtain an instrument, most music stores provide instrument rental/purchase ​ plans. Be careful to consider more than just the price. Please compare instrument quality, rental fee for how many months, final purchase price and distance from home to store for ​ ​ service. A good rental provides an instrument in excellent playing condition, with the monthly rental payments going directly towards the purchase price of the instrument. If your child decides to stop the lessons, you simply return the instrument. If your child continues with the lessons, the instrument is eventually owned outright.

Before buying an instrument we strongly recommend renting first, but if you do purchase, ​ please seek professional advice before purchasing. Purchasing cheap instruments on the ​ ​ internet or at a discount superstore can quickly lead to problems. Remember, there are no service/repair plans and even though they are nice and shiny, they often play out of tune and are poorly constructed.

Local businesses that we have used with success: ➢ Hunterdon Music, Flemington, NJ 908­782­0620 ➢ Music and Arts, www.musicarts.com ​ ➢ Raritan Music Store, Raritan, NJ, 908­595­6980 ➢ Allstar Music Empire, Flemington, NJ 908­788­9800

INSTRUMENT SUPPLIES NEEDED:

All String Instruments: ➢ Instrument ➢ Rosin (should be included in the case) ➢ Essential Elements 2000, Book 1 ➢ Music stand (any kind) ➢ Cotton rag 12x12, (old t­shirt or washcloth are fine) Violin and Viola students: MUST have a Shoulder Rest (Kun and Everest are highly ​ ​ recommended brands)

All Flute and Clarinet Students: ➢ Instrument ➢ Standard of Excellence, Book 1, by Bruce Pearson ➢ Music stand (any kind) ➢ Cotton rag 12x12, (old t­shirt or handkerchief are fine) Clarinet Students: 2 & ½ Reeds (approx. 6) Need cork grease and swab (should be ​ ​ ​ included in the case)

All Brass Students: ➢ Instrument ➢ Standard of Excellence, Book 1, by Bruce Pearson ➢ Music stand (any kind) ➢ Cotton rag 12x12, (old t­shirt or washcloth) ➢ Valve or Slide Oil (should be included in the case)

All Percussion Students: ➢ Percussion Kit (includes Bells with stand, Drum pad, sticks and mallets) ➢ Standard of Excellence, Book 1, by Bruce Pearson ➢ Music stand (any kind)

All instruments cases must have a nametag. Many cases look exactly the same and students ​ often take the wrong one home! Please use a good luggage tag. Masking tape will make a great substitute in a pinch.

LESSONS

Lessons will begin sometime in mid­September. It will be announced at school and posted on the music webpage. PLEASE HAVE YOUR CHILD’S INSTRUMENT AND LESSON BOOK ​ ST READY FOR THEIR 1 L​ ESSON. Keep in mind that due to new security procedures, ​ ​ instruments that are forgotten cannot be dropped off at school during the school day.

Once registration forms are submitted, the music teachers will schedule lessons for your child. Homeroom teachers will share with students what day their lesson is and they will mark it on their schedule. During the 6 day cycle, students will be scheduled for 1 lesson and 1 band rehearsal. All students are expected to come prepared to every lesson with their instrument (including, reeds, oil, shoulder rest, etc.), lesson book, music folder and pencil. Lessons are a scheduled class; therefore all students are expected to attend lessons with or without their ​ ​ instrument.

PRACTICING

Practicing regularly at home and positive encouragement is a necessary part of musical development. Students must develop their embouchure muscles and tone development through consistent practice. Be sure you schedule your practicing just like you would homework. Have a place to practice, free from distractions such as TV or music, a sturdy chair, and a music stand. Practice suggestions are discussed often during lessons; follow your teacher’s guidelines.

Please encourage and remind your child that with consistent effort and commitment they will be achieve success in ALL walks of life, not just music. Don’t give up at the first sign of challenge or lack of interest. The perseverance they learn will be a life long trait!

CONCERTS

➢ Please note the January and May concert dates for 2016­2017 school year are on the school calendar. For more information, please visit our RFIS music website. ​ ​ ➢ Students are required to participate in all scheduled day & evening concerts. Nothing is more disappointing than a student suddenly telling their director that he/she will not be at the concert performance. This is not fair to all those students involved in many months of hard work. To be fair, please notify your coaches, dance teachers, scout leaders ​ ​ etc. of these dates in a timely fashion so they can plan accordingly. Please remember that school events take precedence. ➢ CONCERT DRESS: Girls: Black pants or skirt (no miniskirts please, the longer the better) ​ White blouse Black shoes

Boys: Black pants ​ White dress shirt Necktie Black shoes and black socks

Always make an effort to look your best. Sneakers and jeans are not considered appropriate concert attire. The dress code for music performance has been a long­standing tradition which will enable all of the students to look and feel proud. It is important to teach all young performers proper performance etiquette, which includes proper dress. If you need help, please see your teacher.

➢ Parent Volunteers: Anyone who is interested in helping us video tape our concerts, please ​ contact us. The equipment will be set up and we would need someone to operate the camera on each of the concert nights.

Please do not hesitate to contact any of the music teachers with questions or concerns. Email is ​ the most efficient way to communicate. Mrs. Audrey Spies [email protected] ​ Ms. Susan Guckin [email protected] ​

If you decide to play an instrument, please fill out and return the registration page by the registration due date. Keep the rest of this packet for your information.

2016­2017 Instrumental Registration Form

Please DO NOT rent or purchase a PERCUSSION KIT until your child’s choice is confirmed.

First Name ______Last Name ______

Team ______Homeroom# ______Homeroom Teacher ______

MY INSTRUMENT CHOICE: ______

nd If you selected PERCUSSION, what is your 2 c​ hoice instrument? ______​

Home Telephone ______

Parent/Guardian First & Last Name Work/Cell Telephone E mail Address

______

______

➢ Please be sure to HAVE YOUR INSTRUMENT & BOOK READY FOR YOUR 1st ​ ​ LESSON. ➢ VIOLIN or VIOLA players: please acquire a SHOULDER REST when getting your instrument. ➢ PLEASE NOTE THE CONCERT DATES as soon as they are posted. ​ ​

Student/Teacher Agreement: 1. I have read and discussed the responsibilities explained in this instrumental music ​ ​ packet with my parents. 2. I agree to practice regularly as recommended by my teacher and come prepared to ​ lessons/rehearsals with my instrument and music. 3. I agree to perform with my ensemble at all scheduled concerts. ​ 4. I understand that not only is my success dependent on these expectations, but also the success of the ensemble as a whole.

Student signature ______

Parent signature ______