| 5th
Grade Band Information
Dear Fifth Grade Parent,
Welcome to beginning band at Robertsville. Mr. Yost and I are thrilled
that you are taking advantage of this important opportunity for
your child. I hope that you received some information about band
at the end of last year. If not, please contact me and I will
be happy to get that information to you. Meanwhile, here are
some things that you will need to know to get started this year.
-
Students
who take band should understand that practice at home is
expected. By the middle of fifth grade, approximately
2 hours per week will be appropriate for most students.
-
The
book for this year is “Essential Elements 2000 Book I”.
-
No
uniform or fees this year.
-
At
the middle school level, sports, cheerleading, clubs and
other extra-curricular activities
do not interfere with
band.
-
Concerts
are required. If there is an irreconcilable conflict with
a concert date, please write a note with
a parent signature to Mr. Kile or Mr. Yost at least two weeks
in advance of the event.
A maximum of two letter grades will be deducted
from the
average of the student if this note is not received in time.
-
Three concerts are scheduled: Tuesday December 15th at 8:00 P.M., Thursday March 4th at 8:00 P.M., and Thursday May 20th at 7:00 P.M. All will take place in the RMS Auditorium.
-
Most
students choose the instrument that they will play but we
will also help students find the
correct
instrument for them during the first week of school.
-
There
will be exceptions, but most students will start on trumpet,
trombone, flute,
or clarinet. Some
volunteers will begin to switch to percussion and larger brass during the
second semester. Our
policy when any change of instrument
is attempted is that the student, the directors, and the parents must agree
with the change.
-
Each
family must provide their student with an instrument to play.
If you do not already have access
to one, try these stores to rent or lease instruments, as well as books,
repairs, and other musical
equipment:
Bandland (Lovell Rd.) 675-6588 (Books, repairs and supplies only)
Rush’s (Cedar Bluff or Alcoa
Hwy.) 531-7689 or 573-4138
Lunsford’s (Western Ave.)
523-0276
-
Beware
of new bargain horns on the internet, or at the ‘Big Box’
stores. They are
very poorly
constructed and area stores will refuse to service them when they break (and
they will break). What originally
looked like a great deal
will turn into a waste of your money.
-
We
will begin instruction on the instruments next week on Monday
or Tuesday. If your child
will not have an instrument by then, please contact me and I will assist
you in any way that I can.
Please do not pull
them from the class for this reason.
-
Band
is a class that is graded and will meet on every school day
this year.
Thank you again. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any
questions and concerns. We are looking forward to a wonderful year.
Jeff Kile
|
