Band - Frequently Asked QuestionsMy child wants to be in band, and we already have an instrument. What do we need to do?
Using a family instrument can be a great option! 1. Make sure your child actually wants to play that instrument! Search Youtube recordings or see a live performance so your child can hear the instrument's timbre, or sound, to help decide. 2. Take the instrument to a local instrument repair shop to get it in working order. Occasionally, significant repairs will need to happen, but it will be well worth it, especially if you happened to own a high-quality instrument. 3. Read the "Supplies" document posted at the bottom of the Elementary Band page. Visit a local music store to make sure you have quality equipment to start with, then you can use that information to make future purchases. Do the second year students have weekly lessons?
Second year band students do not have weekly lessons, instead having a single, weekly full-band rehearsal. I do like to schedule a review session before the first rehearsal as well as some extra "sectionals" in small groups before the beginning band uses up the other mornings. I keep an updated calendar on the Advanced Band page (http://mrspennmusic.weebly.com/newman-advanced-band.html), which you can search and add to your own Google calendar. What if a student forgets their instrument?
Students should still come to lessons (or rehearsals) even if they don't have their instruments. Students will still be learning to read music and listening even if they don't have an instrument to play. Also, I do have a school teacher/loaner instrument (which is sanitized between uses) for which students can ask about its availability. My instrument doesn't work! What do I do?
If the instrument seems to be working differently than usual, that should be addressed right away! 1) DO NOT ATTEMPT TO FIX IT YOURSELF, ESPECIALLY WITH TOOLS NOT DESIGNED FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. (You will likely damage it further and then need to pay more for repairs.) 2) Have a parent send an email to Mrs. Penn ([email protected]) describing--with a student's help--what seems to be the problem. 3) Have the student bring it to Mrs. Penn first thing the next morning when arriving at school. It may be an easy fix, or she can have a better idea how to describe it to repair technicians. If she CAN'T fix it... 4) Immediately contact your rental company (or if you own: a local music repair store, such as Needham Music) to give details and arrange for pickup AND a loaner instrument during repairs. Students should keep all their supplies (reeds, cleaning cloths) and mouthpiece and only send in their main instrument. (Exception: flute should send everything, percussion should keep mallets.) Make sure students keep their book! |
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