EMMA

CLASS PREREQUISITES:

Students who have never played a band instrument before, or who have taken Beginner band but want to learn a new band instrument, will be eligible to sign up for Beginner Band.

CLASS DESCRIPTION:

Beginning Band Students will learn the basics of properly assembling, holding, and playing their instrument of choice. Focus will be on proper embouchure, good tone quality, reading music and playing notes and rhythms in the clef and key of their chosen instrument. Each week, students will work in class on new skills, and will complete and turn in assignments from home using SmartMusic. Every student will be scheduled for at least four private or semi-private lessons during the semester either before or after class.

Contact mentor with placement questions

TOTAL FEE: $140 ($130+ $10 Material Fee) - includes at least four private or semi-private lessons during the semester.

TEXT/REQUIRED MATERIALS:

- Essential Elements Book 1 (for their chosen instrument)

- A portable music stand

- An instrument in good working order.

- SmartMusic Subscription, $29.99 for the year. Each household must have access to the internet and a device with a screen at least as large as a tablet that has an internal microphone and speakers. An external microphone and headphones may be helpful for the students, but are not required. Please do not purchase SmartMusic until the beginning of the semester. If we get enough students in band to get the bulk rate, this will be cheaper, but only if we all wait to purchase.

Students may choose from the following instruments:

- Flute (with cleaning rod and cleaning cloth)

- Clarinet (must keep at least 2-3 reeds in good playing condition, cork grease and   cleaning swab)

- Alto Saxophone (must keep at least 2-3 reeds in good playing condition, cork grease, a swab and a neck strap)

- Trumpet (with valve oil and tuning slide grease)

- Trombone (with Slide Lubricant and tuning slide grease)

- Percussion (first semester must be on a bell set, second semester students have the option to add snare drum or stay with bells. Any music store/instrument dealer will offer a combo bell/snare kit that comes with a drum practice pad)

Please do not purchase an instrument from a big box store such as Sam’s. The instruments will be cheaper, but you will be setting your child up for failure as they don’t work well and when they break, no repair shop will touch them. It is best to visit a local music store such as Moore’s Music or Music and Arts, where you can choose to purchase outright or rent an instrument. If you have an old instrument from when you or a relative were in band in school, that is great! But please take it to a reputable music repair shop to be serviced well before class starts so that your child will be set up for success in band. If the instrument is not working properly, no amount of effort or practice will result in progress.