General Information for 3rd Orchestra Students
Welcome to the Rockburn Elementary Instrumental Program!!!!
Congratulations on joining orchestra! You will have an exciting year of music making.
At this time you should order your child's instrument and book so they will have it in time for their first lesson. But please read the information below carefully before making any purchases. Rental information from some local music dealers was sent home to you, but you should shop around and choose a music dealer with whom you feel comfortable.
Important information:
1. Make sure that you purchase the CORRECT book for your instrument. And when you do get your child’s instrument, please make sure that they do not open it or try to play it.
2. Lessons will start Monday, September 25… without instruments. Students should have their instruments by their third lesson (first week of October). A tentative instrumental schedule will be emailed home by September 20.
3. When you get the instrument, please label your child’s instrument case with the following information: (Most stores have name tags available for you.)
Child’s name. (Their first initial and full last name are acceptable.)
Home phone number (or the school number)
Address (optional)
Rockburn Elementary School & Homeroom teacher
***There will be many instruments of the same type and make in the instrument room at any given time so it is important that this information is on EVERY instrument. Many students tie a colorful ribbon or key chain to their case to help them identify theirs quickly.***
4. Students do receive an Instrumental Report Card for their participation. Once they join, they are expected to participate throughout the year. If discontinuation is necessary, a parent must have a conference with Mrs. Twigg by November 10, 2017 (the end of the 1st quarter) or continue the rest of the year for it not to impact their Instrumental Report Card. But, the expectation will be for all students to participate for the entire year.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call me @ 410-313-5030 or e-mail me at [email protected].
BOOKS
All beginning STRING students will need the following book at their first lesson:
Essential Elements (previously Essential Elements 2000) Book One published by Hal Leonard
All violin & viola students MUST have a shoulder rest. Many sponge shoulder rests come with the instrument and will work fine. A better option would be to invest in a Kun or Resonans shoulder rest.
Cello students must have a rock stop or something similar for their end-pin.
A tuner and metronome is recommended for your child but not mandatory. We will use these more their 2nd year of playing. Many music stores have a metro-tune (combination metronome & tuner) for less than purchasing them separately. If your child has access to a computer or tablet, there are resources that will allow them to use these for free.
MUSIC STAND – It will be necessary for each student to purchase a music stand to use when they practice at home. Some stores include a stand with the instrument.
LESSON SCHEDULE
Students have lessons twice a week. They will have one lesson during recess. The other lesson will be a pull out during Language Arts. (They will miss 30 min. out of 10 hours of LA a week.) The 3rd grade teachers and I have worked hard on finding a time that will have the least amount of impact on student learning. Students in orchestra will be expected to find out what they missed and make up any missed work.
IMPORTANT!
Please be sure that when you rent a string instrument it has four fine tuners and rosin. All instruments must be wood & not painted. Violin & viola students must purchase a shoulder pad (Resonans or Kun recommended) and rosin to use when they play. Please have your child bring their shoulder pad to school in a bag if it does not fit in their case. Cellos must have a rubber stop on the end-pin of their cello (please check for this) as well as a rock-stop for when playing on non-carpeted floors.
PRACTICE
You can be a great help to your child (and me) by encouraging and observing daily practice. Each child will be required to practice a minimum of 10 - 15 minutes daily, 5 days a week, to achieve success. Each child will be expected to write their orchestra homework in their lesson book and fill out an online practice page weekly. Failure to practice consistently will result in a lowered Practice Habits grade.
DATES
Lessons will start on Monday, September 25.
If you would please choose a music store and rent your child’s instrument before September 30 for students will need instruments by their third lesson. The earlier you rent it, the better your chance of getting the instrument (they sometimes run out and have to order more).
Please do not let your child try to play their instrument until he or she is shown the proper way at his/her lesson!
CONCERTS
Students will be expected to perform in 2 concerts this year. This is a mandatory for they will receive a concert attendance grade. Students will be required to wear a white blouse/dress shirt, black skirt/pants, black socks/stockings and black/dark shoes for the Winter (January) & Spring (May) Concerts.
LESSONS
Private lessons (outside of school instrumental lessons) are encouraged but not necessary.Your child can progress faster and have greater success on their instrument when taking private lessons. They will also perform better when opportunities for solo playing become available. If you are interested in private lessons, please contact me for I have a Howard County list of local instrumental teachers.
RECOMMENDED INSTRUMENT BRANDS
The following brands of instruments are generally regarded as good quality student-model string instruments: Scherl & Roth, William Lewis, Yamaha, Eastman and Glaesel. Some string shops make their own string instruments that are of good quality.
Please contact me if you plan on purchasing an instrument instead of renting. It is important for your child to perform on a good quality instrument or they could struggle and have a much harder time learning. Please only rent/purchase an instrument from a reputable MUSIC store/website. Contact me with any questions or concerns. If you plan on purchasing an instrument online, please contact me first! I can help guide you so we make sure that your child learns on a quality instrument... not one that is made poorly and negatively impacts their learning.
REPUTABLE STORES IN THE AREA: (if you click on the website it will open in a new window)
Potters: Bethesda 301-652-7070 or 800-317-9452
www.pottersviolins.com (look under instrument rentals at the bottom of the site)
Perrin and Associates: Baltimore 410-539-0043
www.perrinviolins.com
Wood Bridge: Ellicott City 410-203-9663
www.woodbridgemusic.com
Mike’s Music: Ellicott City 410-465-0700
www.mikesmusicmd.com
Music & Arts Center: (Chatham Mall) Ellicott City 410-461-1844
www.Musicarts.com
Baltimore Brass Co: Catonsville 410-744-1723
www.baltimorebrass.net/
for rental info: www.rentfromhome.com/affiliates/code Use code: baltimore
Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center: Wheaton 301-946-8808
www.chucklevins.com
And more, please contact me if you’d like me to find more information on a store not listed.
QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN DECIDING WHERE TO RENT AN INSTRUMENT
What percentage of your rental payment is applied toward the purchase of the instrument?
Will you have to pay extra for regular maintenance and repairs?
Are instruments insured against theft or loss?
If there is a trial period payment, what is the cost of regular monthly payments after this period?
(You will want to compare these prices with the quality of the instrument you are renting.)
Will you have to pay a fee if/when your child wishes to upgrade or get a larger sized instrument? Will any money transfer over if your child needs a larger instrument or switches to band next year?
(String instruments vary in size and as your child grows they will need a larger instrument. And this is very important for students who plan on continuing on their instrument.)
NOTE – If you have any questions concerning the instrumental music program, please call me at school (410-313-5030) or e-mail me at [email protected].
It is advisable to check your homeowner’s insurance policy to make sure lost or stolen instruments are covered.
Congratulations on joining orchestra! You will have an exciting year of music making.
At this time you should order your child's instrument and book so they will have it in time for their first lesson. But please read the information below carefully before making any purchases. Rental information from some local music dealers was sent home to you, but you should shop around and choose a music dealer with whom you feel comfortable.
Important information:
1. Make sure that you purchase the CORRECT book for your instrument. And when you do get your child’s instrument, please make sure that they do not open it or try to play it.
2. Lessons will start Monday, September 25… without instruments. Students should have their instruments by their third lesson (first week of October). A tentative instrumental schedule will be emailed home by September 20.
3. When you get the instrument, please label your child’s instrument case with the following information: (Most stores have name tags available for you.)
Child’s name. (Their first initial and full last name are acceptable.)
Home phone number (or the school number)
Address (optional)
Rockburn Elementary School & Homeroom teacher
***There will be many instruments of the same type and make in the instrument room at any given time so it is important that this information is on EVERY instrument. Many students tie a colorful ribbon or key chain to their case to help them identify theirs quickly.***
4. Students do receive an Instrumental Report Card for their participation. Once they join, they are expected to participate throughout the year. If discontinuation is necessary, a parent must have a conference with Mrs. Twigg by November 10, 2017 (the end of the 1st quarter) or continue the rest of the year for it not to impact their Instrumental Report Card. But, the expectation will be for all students to participate for the entire year.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call me @ 410-313-5030 or e-mail me at [email protected].
BOOKS
All beginning STRING students will need the following book at their first lesson:
Essential Elements (previously Essential Elements 2000) Book One published by Hal Leonard
All violin & viola students MUST have a shoulder rest. Many sponge shoulder rests come with the instrument and will work fine. A better option would be to invest in a Kun or Resonans shoulder rest.
Cello students must have a rock stop or something similar for their end-pin.
A tuner and metronome is recommended for your child but not mandatory. We will use these more their 2nd year of playing. Many music stores have a metro-tune (combination metronome & tuner) for less than purchasing them separately. If your child has access to a computer or tablet, there are resources that will allow them to use these for free.
MUSIC STAND – It will be necessary for each student to purchase a music stand to use when they practice at home. Some stores include a stand with the instrument.
LESSON SCHEDULE
Students have lessons twice a week. They will have one lesson during recess. The other lesson will be a pull out during Language Arts. (They will miss 30 min. out of 10 hours of LA a week.) The 3rd grade teachers and I have worked hard on finding a time that will have the least amount of impact on student learning. Students in orchestra will be expected to find out what they missed and make up any missed work.
IMPORTANT!
Please be sure that when you rent a string instrument it has four fine tuners and rosin. All instruments must be wood & not painted. Violin & viola students must purchase a shoulder pad (Resonans or Kun recommended) and rosin to use when they play. Please have your child bring their shoulder pad to school in a bag if it does not fit in their case. Cellos must have a rubber stop on the end-pin of their cello (please check for this) as well as a rock-stop for when playing on non-carpeted floors.
PRACTICE
You can be a great help to your child (and me) by encouraging and observing daily practice. Each child will be required to practice a minimum of 10 - 15 minutes daily, 5 days a week, to achieve success. Each child will be expected to write their orchestra homework in their lesson book and fill out an online practice page weekly. Failure to practice consistently will result in a lowered Practice Habits grade.
DATES
Lessons will start on Monday, September 25.
If you would please choose a music store and rent your child’s instrument before September 30 for students will need instruments by their third lesson. The earlier you rent it, the better your chance of getting the instrument (they sometimes run out and have to order more).
Please do not let your child try to play their instrument until he or she is shown the proper way at his/her lesson!
CONCERTS
Students will be expected to perform in 2 concerts this year. This is a mandatory for they will receive a concert attendance grade. Students will be required to wear a white blouse/dress shirt, black skirt/pants, black socks/stockings and black/dark shoes for the Winter (January) & Spring (May) Concerts.
LESSONS
Private lessons (outside of school instrumental lessons) are encouraged but not necessary.Your child can progress faster and have greater success on their instrument when taking private lessons. They will also perform better when opportunities for solo playing become available. If you are interested in private lessons, please contact me for I have a Howard County list of local instrumental teachers.
RECOMMENDED INSTRUMENT BRANDS
The following brands of instruments are generally regarded as good quality student-model string instruments: Scherl & Roth, William Lewis, Yamaha, Eastman and Glaesel. Some string shops make their own string instruments that are of good quality.
Please contact me if you plan on purchasing an instrument instead of renting. It is important for your child to perform on a good quality instrument or they could struggle and have a much harder time learning. Please only rent/purchase an instrument from a reputable MUSIC store/website. Contact me with any questions or concerns. If you plan on purchasing an instrument online, please contact me first! I can help guide you so we make sure that your child learns on a quality instrument... not one that is made poorly and negatively impacts their learning.
REPUTABLE STORES IN THE AREA: (if you click on the website it will open in a new window)
Potters: Bethesda 301-652-7070 or 800-317-9452
www.pottersviolins.com (look under instrument rentals at the bottom of the site)
Perrin and Associates: Baltimore 410-539-0043
www.perrinviolins.com
Wood Bridge: Ellicott City 410-203-9663
www.woodbridgemusic.com
Mike’s Music: Ellicott City 410-465-0700
www.mikesmusicmd.com
Music & Arts Center: (Chatham Mall) Ellicott City 410-461-1844
www.Musicarts.com
Baltimore Brass Co: Catonsville 410-744-1723
www.baltimorebrass.net/
for rental info: www.rentfromhome.com/affiliates/code Use code: baltimore
Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center: Wheaton 301-946-8808
www.chucklevins.com
And more, please contact me if you’d like me to find more information on a store not listed.
QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN DECIDING WHERE TO RENT AN INSTRUMENT
What percentage of your rental payment is applied toward the purchase of the instrument?
Will you have to pay extra for regular maintenance and repairs?
Are instruments insured against theft or loss?
If there is a trial period payment, what is the cost of regular monthly payments after this period?
(You will want to compare these prices with the quality of the instrument you are renting.)
Will you have to pay a fee if/when your child wishes to upgrade or get a larger sized instrument? Will any money transfer over if your child needs a larger instrument or switches to band next year?
(String instruments vary in size and as your child grows they will need a larger instrument. And this is very important for students who plan on continuing on their instrument.)
NOTE – If you have any questions concerning the instrumental music program, please call me at school (410-313-5030) or e-mail me at [email protected].
It is advisable to check your homeowner’s insurance policy to make sure lost or stolen instruments are covered.