2019-2020 WELCOME TO 5th GRADE BAND at BRINCKERHOFF, FISHKILL ELEMENTARY, & GAYHEAD Mr. Bob Brainerd

What Instruments Make Up the Band? The Woodwind Family: Flute Oboe Alto Sax Clarinet

What Instruments Make Up the Band? The Brass Family: French Horn Trumpet Baritone Euphonium Trombone

What Instruments Make Up the Band? The Percussion Family: Bass Drum Bell Kit & Practice Pad Snare Drum The “Kitchen Sink!” Cymbals: Crash & Suspended

What you need to know Everything I talk about tonight is in “The Parent’s Guide”! That’s it – Goodnight!! Sorry, not so fast - - - - How do we “do” Beginning 5th Gr. Band: (1) – 40 minute full Band rehearsal every 6-Day cycle (only once!) (1) – 30 minute group lesson every 6-Day cycle These lesson times rotate over many time slots during the day. Your 1st test: Q: How many times will your child see me with their instrument in any given 6-Day cycle?

Sample Lesson Schedule

What does my child need? An instrument (with damage insurance!) – DO NOT BUY! A Lesson Book – (Be sure to add it to your Rental order!) A Folder for music and papers A pencil Music stand – an optional purchase (but really needed) Getting an Instrument . . . The Rental companies are here tonight: they provide the instrument, a folder, required Lesson Bk. ( < $10), and an optional (but recommended!) folding music stand (about $15) you provide the pencil From a family member or friend? Buried in the closet or hiding in Grandma’s attic? DO NOT BUY – especially from online!

Is the Lesson Book on your order? Be sure the correct Lesson Bk. is included with your Rental order: “Standard of Excellence – Bk. 1” There are 2 versions – both contain the exact same content. Purple stripe ↵ Must order with instrument! Standard – No CD’s Enhanced – w/CD’s

Other supplies your child will need that are specific to their Instrument (Refer to the “Gold” sheet) Flutes: Nothing extra unless you’re interested in the Bo-Pep: “Finger Saddle” (Google it!) Oboes: Add to your rental order at least 2 extra reeds. Request “Fox” or “Lesher” Reeds if possible – ask for “Medium”. Clarinets & Saxes: REQUIRED – ADD to RENTAL Add to your rental order a box (10) of “Rico Royal” reeds – #2 ½. Should last 8-12 weeks – depending All Brass: A bottle of Valve Oil and some slide grease should be included. Percussion: Nothing more to add – everything is in the kit.

Practice Time 20 Minutes a day in the Fall – Approx. 100-120 min. between lessons. This amount of time will increase as we progress and as the level of learning increases. Your child will be using a Practice Record Chart to keep track of his/her regular home practice sessions. This is to be signed by a parent prior to each lesson. What you should expect early on: All sorts of strange sounds! Many mistakes Yet, gradual improvement – if you listen! A frustrated young musician Uncomfortable with the new instrument Possibly some impatience on your part

Sample Practice Chart

Your role as their Parent What to do: Provide a good, quiet place to practice. Help them establish a consistent, daily practice routine. When you hear progress, tell them! Show them interest. If they like to practice privately, ask to hear something. Be their greatest cheerleader/encourager. Be the keeper of the Calendar – What cycle day is it? (The current cycle day is on the My website) Keep the instrument in good working order. What NOT to do: Don’t expect a lot of progress in the beginning! Appreciate the “baby steps”. Don’t make fun of mistakes or less than “quality sound” – especially to others. Don’t apologize to others for a seemingly weak playing ability. Don’t threaten or use Practice time as a punishment.

Our Performance schedule Early to mid January – Our Informance Night Details will develop in the early/mid Fall. Early March – Our Pyramid Concert Date: TBA (usually @ JJHS) Mid to late May – Our Spring Concert All Performances are required – they are not optional. They’re part of the Curriculum and must be made priority. We are a Performance based class – as such, we do Concerts! Concerns or potential conflicts with Concert attendance need to be addressed ASAP. Attendance is required. The day of the Concert (or worse, the day after) is too late.

Communications I am in 3 bldgs. (BR, FES, GH) next year - Email is best. Two choices: > Leave a message @ my VoiceMail box: ext. 50561 > Better option - email me: Robert.Brainerd@wcsdny.org I will be maintaining my Teacher webpage. > Accessible from “Staff” link on Homepage of your school > Access to all Lesson schedules, Concert info., online resources, and Interactive Music links I will use the SchoolTools email system to keep you updated. Is your contact info up-to-date??? Now is a good time to be sure your email address is up to date in SchoolTools / Parent Portal – contact your schools MO.

Your next steps . . . Be sure to initial the attendance sheet before you leave. > Check your email address and correct or add if necessary. Stop by each of the Rental companies’ tables and have a look around. They are here for you. Talk with them! Get a copy of each of their Rental Contract packets. > Barcone’s Music > John Keal Music (aka: D & M Music) > Paul Effman Music > Music & Arts Review the Rental options and decide as soon as possible! > Get your Contract filled out and faxed or mailed ASAP. > Don’t leave it ‘til Sept. - Order now so it’s there & ready.

Questions?