P a g e | 1 ` Mr. Paul Mariconda Director 2016-2017 Grade 4 and 5 Instrumental Music Guidebook for Students and Parents P a g e | 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Cover 1 Table of Contents 2 Letter to Parents 3 4th Gr. Band Letter 4 4th Gr. Instrument Selection Sheet 5 4th Gr. Rental Information 6 4th Gr./5thGr. Lesson Schedules 7 4th Gr. Lesson Procedures 8 4th Gr. Progress Report 9 5th Gr. Band Description 10 5th Gr. Rental Information 11 5th Gr. Band Schedule 12 5th Gr. Band Procedures 13 5th Gr. Progress Report 14 Tips For Parents 15 Tips For Students 16 Concert Information 17 NYSSMA 18 Private Teacher List 19 P a g e | 3 September 2016 Dear Parents/Guardians and Students, We are excited that you have decided to be a part of the Bruno M. Ponterio Ridge Street School 4th and 5th Grade Instrumental Music Program. The goal of the beginning band experience is to provide a solid foundation of musical skills and techniques, while providing an opportunity for students to have fun making music with others. This is accomplished through weekly lessons, large group rehearsals, and school concerts. Success in music is largely determined by the desire to succeed, the motivation to practice consistently, parental support and quality instruction. Please be mindful of the following: Students in the 4th grade receive instruction in a small group, once a week, for 40 minutes in like-instrument groupings. Students in the 5th grade receive instruction in a small group of mixed instruments as well as in like-instrument groupings. Lessons will be scheduled so students will have as little interruption in their daily schedules as possible. Students are expected to practice between lessons. Please encourage your child to practice on a consistent basis. Please read the Practice Tips For Parents on page 15 for suggestions on how to practice at home. Large group rehearsals will begin later in the year to prepare for school concerts. We want to look sharp for our school concerts! Concert attire is a white shirt and either black or dark blue pants for boys, and a white shirt and either black or dark blue pants/skirts for girls. Your child will be receiving an instrumental music progress report twice a year, in addition to indicators on your child’s report card, so that you and your child can review his/her progress together. We look forward to a wonderful year! Feel free to contact me if you have any questions! Sincerely, Paul Mariconda Paul Mariconda Director of the Ridge Street School Instrumental Music Program [email protected] P a g e | 4 4th GRADE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PROGRAM LETTER Dear Third Grade Parents: Fourth graders are eligible to participate in the Bruno M. Ponterio Ridge Street School’s Instrumental Music Program. This program is not a requirement. It is an elective aligned with New York State Standards for Arts Education and standards set by the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA). This letter provides information needed to assist you in deciding if your child should participate in this program and aide you and your child in selecting an instrument offered by the program. Please discuss the following aspects of the 4th Grade Band Program with your child. Understanding these key points will help you and your child decide if participating in the 4th Grade Band is the right choice. This information is not provided to “scare” any student from participation in the 4th Grade Band. However, students should know what will be expected of them if they choose to sign up: 1. Attendance at all lessons is mandatory. Please make sure your child understands that band members must bring their instrument and book to school as per scheduled. 2. Practicing at home is mandatory. While most students enjoy listening to music and singing along with cds, learning to play an instrument requires a consistent practice routine. 3. Performing in class is required. Students must play their instrument along with other members of their assigned lesson group. “Faking” is not allowed. 4. Band members will analyze and critique their work as well as the work of others. Students will perform music together,individually , and discuss their own performance and the performances of others in a friendly cooperative manner. 5. Periodic assessments. While there are no written tests, band members will be required to play short sections of their music individually . 6. Fun! Fun! Fun! We have a lot of fun creating our music and we are thrilled when our first strange sounds turn into beautiful music!!! 4th Grade band instruments have been presented to all 3rd Grade music classes. During that time I demonstrated the three instruments used in the 4th grade band. I discussed with them how to make a good choice. An instrument selection sheet is included with this letter. Please discuss the instrument choice with your child and return the selection sheet to your child’s classroom teacher. Group lessons are available for the following instruments: flute, clarinet and trumpet. Our 4th Grade Band Program does not include the following instruments: strings, piano, electric or acoustic guitar, or drum set. Our school does not provide instruments. If your child wants to participate in this program the desired instrument must be rented and the band book must be purchased. The 4th Grade Band uses a comprehensive band method entitled “Accent On Acvievement Book 1” that can be purchased from Ardsley Music, Sam Ash Music, Greenwich Music, Music and Arts in Mamaroneck and online through Amazon. If your child is interested, please fill out the attached selection sheet. I will send home rental information. Thank You, Paul D. Mariconda P a g e | 5 FOURTH GRADE INSTRUMENT SELECTION SHEET 2016-2017 (Please fill this out with your child.) Dear Families, Please fill this out with your child and choose an instrument from the list below. Please return this to me as soon as you can. I will send home rental information after I have all the sign up sheets. Have fun selecting an instrument and I hope to see your child in the 4th Grade Band! Thank You, Mr. Mariconda [email protected] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY Student Name:______________________________________________________ Current 3rd Grade Teacher’s Name:______________________________________ Home Phone:________________________________________________ Parent’s Email:_______________________________________________ FLUTE___________________________ CLARINET_______________________ TRUMPET________________________ Please note: Our 4th Grade Instrumental Music Program does not include the following instruments: strings, piano, electric or acoustic guitar, or drum set. P a g e | 6 RENTAL INFORMATION FOR 4TH GRADE BAND The Ponterio Ridge Street School does not provide instruments. All instruments must be rented and all fees are exchanged between parents and rental companies. PRSS does not accept rental money for the rental companies. Flute Players: rent a Flute with a cleaning/tuning rod. Purchase Accent On Achievement by O’Reilly/Williams, Flute Bk 1. Clarinet Players: rent a B Flat Clarinet. Purchase Accent On Achievement by O’Reilly/Williams. Clarinet Bk 1. Purchase a small tube of cork grease and a few extra No.2 clarinet reeds. Trumpet Players: rent a B Flat Trumpet. Purchase Accent On Achievement by O’Reilly/Williams, Trumpet Book 1. Purchase a small bottle of valve oil for the trumpet valves. The Blind Brook Rye School District does not endorse any rental company. The list below is provided for your convenience. You may rent from any company that you choose. Rental Companies Ardsley Music…..……………914-693-6639 www. ardsleymusic.com Sam Ash Music Store:……..914-949-8448 www.samash.com Greenwich Music:………….203-637-1119 www.greenwichmusic.com Rental Instrument Corp…203-226-0805 www.rentalinstrument.com P a g e | 7 4th Grade Lesson Schedules Students are responsible for remembering their instrument on their scheduled day(s) each week. Students need to attend lessons/rehearsals even if they forgot their instrument at home that day. Students can still learn without their instrument. Parents may need to remind their child to bring their instrument on their scheduled lesson day(s). If you wish, you may have a reminder of their lesson/rehearsal schedule to post at home somewhere in a highly visible location (The refrigerator usually works best!) Grade level band rehearsals will be scheduled closer to the date of the school concert. You will be apprised of these rehearsals later in the year. 2016-2017 4th Grade Band Lesson Schedule A Day B Day C Day D Day E Day F Day Mrs. Bal Ms. Blumstein Mrs. DeLuca Mrs. Scardina Ms. Onofrio P a g e | 8 PROCEDURES FOR 4th GRADE BAND For Small Group Lessons Always bring your own instrument to school on your assigned small group lesson day. Keep your instruments with you in your classroom. Your teacher will show you where to put them. Always enter the band room quietly using the Art/Spanish hallway double door entrance. After taking a band book from the bookcase, go directly to your seat with your instrument and wait for directions from Mr. Mariconda. Once you are able to assemble your own instrument and produce a sound you may follow the warm up tips taught to you by Mr. Mariconda. WARM UP TIPS! ALWAYS WARM UP SOFTLY. WE CREATE MUSIC, NOT NOISE! ★NEVER PLAY YOUR INSTRUMENT WHILE WALKING. ★ NEVER POINT YOUR INSTRUMENT AT SOMEONE AND PLAY IT LOUDLY. At the end of class slowly put away your instrument and return the band book to the bookcase. Exit the band room using the Art/Spanish hallway. Before you attend your next lesson, you are required to practice at home at least twice for 15 minutes each time.