1. Westford Public Schools String Music Program

2. Program Highlights Weekly 45 minute lessons –Scheduled during school time –Student will not miss “new instruction” Practice –10 to 15 minutes per night, 5x per week Performances –“Progress” concert mid-year during school –Spring Concert for all grades at WA, 7 pm

3. Why rent? “You get what you pay for” is usually true! –Cheaper online instruments often need work done to them to get them playable. Instruments break! – Rentals have insurance. Sizes change –Rental companies don’t charge to change sizes.

4. Materials Books: –Essential Elements 2000 for Strings (Book 1) Published by Hal Leonard Other materials –Violins and violas: “Poly-pad” shoulder rest (included in Music & Arts rental) –Cello: endpin strap Rental Day vendors will give these for free

5. Rental Day –Saturday September 6th at Abbot Gym, 8:30 – 11:00 am –Child does NOT have to be there –Bring a credit card for rental contract Two rental companies will be present.

6. Rental Companies Music & ArtsDavid French Music Violin/Viola 9- month rental $106.24 including rental, tax, insurance $106.25 including rental, tax, insurance Cello 9-month rental $180.61 including rental, tax, insurance $180.63 including rental, tax, insurance Other Free music stand, music book, AND shoulder sponge or cello endpin strap with rental. Free music stand, music book, AND shoulder sponge or cello endpin strap with rental. *Free String Replacement

7. Other Rental Options Bridges & Bows (Westford) –www.bridgesandbows.com 978 692 0670www.bridgesandbows.com Johnson Strings (Newton) –www.johnsonstrings.com 800 359 9351www.johnsonstrings.com Minor Chord (Littleton) –www.theminorchord.com 978 486 0112www.theminorchord.com Music Academy of Chelmsford –www.musicacademyofchelmsford.comwww.musicacademyofchelmsford.com 978 251 7741 See www.westfordk12.us/strings for morewww.westfordk12.us/strings

8. Program Costs $235: Music Fee for WPS $106: Approximate rental of violin or viola $180: Approximate rental of cello Total Program Cost: $341 violin/viola; $415 cello

9. Grade 5 Orchestra Open to all Strings students in Grade 5 Grade 3 and 4 students have the opportunity to join Weekly before school rehearsal Opportunity to work on advancing string orchestra ensemble skills

10. Contact info Katie Benson –kbenson@westfordk12.uskbenson@westfordk12.us –978 392 4483 x4213 Todd Hamelin –thamelin@westfordk12.usthamelin@westfordk12.us –Day: 978 692 5591 –Abbot: 978 692 5580 –Twitter: @MrHamelin –Facebook: facebook.com/mrhamelin

11. Our Website www.westfordk12.us/strings –Helpful links and information about the program –Strings program guide –Progress report information and pictures –Other great info

12. Remember… Strings is a year-long commitment. We are here to help. Please communicate with us if your child is frustrated or having difficulty practicing at home.

13. Thank you!