2018-19 Band Information
Middleton Elementary School
2018-19 Band Information
Hello, and thank you for your interest in the band program this school year! Below, you will find some helpful information.
Participation in Band
With parent/guardian permission, students in Grades 4, 5, or 6 may choose to join Band, Chorus, or both! Band Registration is open in the Fall only. Students may join band for the first time regardless of whether they are in 4th, 5th, or 6th Grade.
How Band Works
Participation in the MES Band Program is during the school day and includes:
- One small group lesson per week. Students are typically grouped by instrument and experience.
- One 45-minute Full Band lesson per week. First-year band students do not participate in Full Band until they have passed the “Page 14 Test” with Ms. Stewart.
All Band and Chorus instruction happens during the regular school day. Band Lessons begin during the week of September 17th. Full Band will begin meeting in October (date to be determined).
At Middleton Elementary School, Band and Chorus are not graded classes and will not appear on your child’s report card.
MES teachers love Band and Chorus, and they highly encourage participation! Please be assured that your child will not suffer academically because of participation in school music groups. All teachers are flexible and helpful when it comes to fitting Band and Chorus into your child’s school day.
Your student must return a signed permission slip (purple paper) AND behavior contract (blue paper) before s/he will be able to participate in Band or Chorus. Please have this returned to Ms. Stewart by Thursday, September 13th.
Acquiring an Instrument
The choices of instruments for Middleton Elementary School Band include Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, and Percussion (bell kit). There are many ways to get an instrument for band. At this time, students may:
1. Rent-to-own a band instrument through our school’s primary music vendor, Music & Arts. This is an option where your family pays monthly (payments are credited toward eventually owning an instrument). To rent, go to www.musicarts.com and click on the "Rentals" heading. Enter your zip code, search for "Middleton Elementary School", and follow the process to rent an instrument for your child. If you already have your rental instrument in-hand from last year, you do not need to complete this online rental process again. For specific questions regarding Music & Arts rentals, you may contact Music & Arts of Manchester directly at (603) 623-0153. The deadline for renting Music & Arts instruments online for Middleton Elementary School is Thursday, September 13th.
2. Purchase a used instrument from a different source . Payment plans, maintenance, and warranty coverage vary by store.
3. Borrow an instrument from a family member. Just like a car may need work after sitting in a garage for 20 years, your instrument may need some repair work before it’s in working order. Bring your potential instrument to school for Ms. Stewart to check over if there is any question of workability.
4. Borrow an instrument from the school (green paper). If none of the purchase/rental options are feasible for your family, please contact Ms. Stewart as soon as possible. We want your child to be a part of band! At this time, Middleton has a very limited selection of musical instruments that students (who need help) may borrow. These few instruments will be lent out on a first-come, first-served basis. Priority will be given in the following order:
First Priority: Students who wish to play the same instrument that they borrowed last year.
Second Priority: Students in older grades.
Third Priority: If two students are in the same grade and are first-time
borrowers, priority goes to the student who returns a signed green paper first.
Your student supplying his/her own instrument is the best guarantee that he/she will be
able to participate in Band at this time. If your child is not able to receive a school instrument at this time, s/he will be placed on a Band waiting list.
Method Book
All students are responsible for purchasing Standard of Excellence Book 1 (RED book) by Bruce Pearson. We will use this book during every band class and also for practice assignments. When you rent your instrument online through Music and Arts, you have the option to purchase this book for $6.95 at checkout. You may also purchase this book separately through another source (just make sure you are purchasing the correct book for your child’s instrument)
Save This Concert Date!
Your children will be working hard in Band this year, and concerts allow them the opportunity to show what they’ve been learning. All Band and Chorus students are expected to be in attendance at concerts. Please mark the following date on your calendar now to ensure that your child will be present:
Band and Chorus Spring Concert
Tuesday, May 14, 2019 @ 6:00pm - Middleton Elementary School Gym
At concerts, students are expected to dress nicely (no jeans, no holes in clothes, and follow the school dress code!). If your child needs assistance in acquiring concert wear, please let Ms. Stewart know at least a few weeks prior to the performance. She will be happy to help!
Student Responsibilities
As members of Band, students are expected to be responsible for the following:
Follow the expectations of the Band/Chorus behavior contract. “I will be kind with my words and actions. I will make responsible choices. I will follow directions the first time they are asked. I will do my best work.”
Come to Band prepared. Think “M.I.P.” (music, instrument, pencil) to remember everything you need on Band days! Some families have had success creating a “Band Day” checklist at home.
Take care of your instrument. As part of being prepared, students are expected to make sure their instrument is always in working order. Your student is also responsible for having working reeds, valve/slide oil, sticks, etc. depending on his/her instrument. If your child needs more supplies, you may purchase them at musicarts.com or through another local music vendor. Ms. Stewart is happy to help your family make sure that you are purchasing the correct supplies.
Maintenance
Our Music & Arts vendor is happy to do maintenance and repairs on any child’s instrument. He visits our school on every other Thursday. If your child’s instrument is not covered under Music & Arts warranty, there will be a fee for repair work (parents/guardians will be notified of cost before any repair work is done).
Practice
Similarly to any skill we wish to grow upon, learning a brand-new musical instrument takes lots of practice. Please encourage your child to practice Band music at home! This helps to reinforce important skills, and your child will get a boost of self-esteem when s/he gets to perform for you! Every week following Band Lessons, students will write down what songs they should be working on. Even 30 minutes of practice outside of school each week will do wonders for your child’s musicianship!
Any questions?
I am at Middleton Elementary School on Tuesday afternoons, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The quickest way of contacting me is through e-mail at [email protected]. If you call the school to reach me, please call after school hours! Depending on which day of the week you call, it may take a few days for me to get your message and return the call.
I can’t wait for a fantastic year in Band!
Kind Regards,
Ms. Stewart, Music Teacher
Middleton Elementary School
(603) 473-5000
[email protected]
2018-19 Band Information
Hello, and thank you for your interest in the band program this school year! Below, you will find some helpful information.
Participation in Band
With parent/guardian permission, students in Grades 4, 5, or 6 may choose to join Band, Chorus, or both! Band Registration is open in the Fall only. Students may join band for the first time regardless of whether they are in 4th, 5th, or 6th Grade.
How Band Works
Participation in the MES Band Program is during the school day and includes:
- One small group lesson per week. Students are typically grouped by instrument and experience.
- One 45-minute Full Band lesson per week. First-year band students do not participate in Full Band until they have passed the “Page 14 Test” with Ms. Stewart.
All Band and Chorus instruction happens during the regular school day. Band Lessons begin during the week of September 17th. Full Band will begin meeting in October (date to be determined).
At Middleton Elementary School, Band and Chorus are not graded classes and will not appear on your child’s report card.
MES teachers love Band and Chorus, and they highly encourage participation! Please be assured that your child will not suffer academically because of participation in school music groups. All teachers are flexible and helpful when it comes to fitting Band and Chorus into your child’s school day.
Your student must return a signed permission slip (purple paper) AND behavior contract (blue paper) before s/he will be able to participate in Band or Chorus. Please have this returned to Ms. Stewart by Thursday, September 13th.
Acquiring an Instrument
The choices of instruments for Middleton Elementary School Band include Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, and Percussion (bell kit). There are many ways to get an instrument for band. At this time, students may:
1. Rent-to-own a band instrument through our school’s primary music vendor, Music & Arts. This is an option where your family pays monthly (payments are credited toward eventually owning an instrument). To rent, go to www.musicarts.com and click on the "Rentals" heading. Enter your zip code, search for "Middleton Elementary School", and follow the process to rent an instrument for your child. If you already have your rental instrument in-hand from last year, you do not need to complete this online rental process again. For specific questions regarding Music & Arts rentals, you may contact Music & Arts of Manchester directly at (603) 623-0153. The deadline for renting Music & Arts instruments online for Middleton Elementary School is Thursday, September 13th.
2. Purchase a used instrument from a different source . Payment plans, maintenance, and warranty coverage vary by store.
3. Borrow an instrument from a family member. Just like a car may need work after sitting in a garage for 20 years, your instrument may need some repair work before it’s in working order. Bring your potential instrument to school for Ms. Stewart to check over if there is any question of workability.
4. Borrow an instrument from the school (green paper). If none of the purchase/rental options are feasible for your family, please contact Ms. Stewart as soon as possible. We want your child to be a part of band! At this time, Middleton has a very limited selection of musical instruments that students (who need help) may borrow. These few instruments will be lent out on a first-come, first-served basis. Priority will be given in the following order:
First Priority: Students who wish to play the same instrument that they borrowed last year.
Second Priority: Students in older grades.
Third Priority: If two students are in the same grade and are first-time
borrowers, priority goes to the student who returns a signed green paper first.
Your student supplying his/her own instrument is the best guarantee that he/she will be
able to participate in Band at this time. If your child is not able to receive a school instrument at this time, s/he will be placed on a Band waiting list.
Method Book
All students are responsible for purchasing Standard of Excellence Book 1 (RED book) by Bruce Pearson. We will use this book during every band class and also for practice assignments. When you rent your instrument online through Music and Arts, you have the option to purchase this book for $6.95 at checkout. You may also purchase this book separately through another source (just make sure you are purchasing the correct book for your child’s instrument)
Save This Concert Date!
Your children will be working hard in Band this year, and concerts allow them the opportunity to show what they’ve been learning. All Band and Chorus students are expected to be in attendance at concerts. Please mark the following date on your calendar now to ensure that your child will be present:
Band and Chorus Spring Concert
Tuesday, May 14, 2019 @ 6:00pm - Middleton Elementary School Gym
At concerts, students are expected to dress nicely (no jeans, no holes in clothes, and follow the school dress code!). If your child needs assistance in acquiring concert wear, please let Ms. Stewart know at least a few weeks prior to the performance. She will be happy to help!
Student Responsibilities
As members of Band, students are expected to be responsible for the following:
Follow the expectations of the Band/Chorus behavior contract. “I will be kind with my words and actions. I will make responsible choices. I will follow directions the first time they are asked. I will do my best work.”
Come to Band prepared. Think “M.I.P.” (music, instrument, pencil) to remember everything you need on Band days! Some families have had success creating a “Band Day” checklist at home.
Take care of your instrument. As part of being prepared, students are expected to make sure their instrument is always in working order. Your student is also responsible for having working reeds, valve/slide oil, sticks, etc. depending on his/her instrument. If your child needs more supplies, you may purchase them at musicarts.com or through another local music vendor. Ms. Stewart is happy to help your family make sure that you are purchasing the correct supplies.
Maintenance
Our Music & Arts vendor is happy to do maintenance and repairs on any child’s instrument. He visits our school on every other Thursday. If your child’s instrument is not covered under Music & Arts warranty, there will be a fee for repair work (parents/guardians will be notified of cost before any repair work is done).
Practice
Similarly to any skill we wish to grow upon, learning a brand-new musical instrument takes lots of practice. Please encourage your child to practice Band music at home! This helps to reinforce important skills, and your child will get a boost of self-esteem when s/he gets to perform for you! Every week following Band Lessons, students will write down what songs they should be working on. Even 30 minutes of practice outside of school each week will do wonders for your child’s musicianship!
Any questions?
I am at Middleton Elementary School on Tuesday afternoons, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The quickest way of contacting me is through e-mail at [email protected]. If you call the school to reach me, please call after school hours! Depending on which day of the week you call, it may take a few days for me to get your message and return the call.
I can’t wait for a fantastic year in Band!
Kind Regards,
Ms. Stewart, Music Teacher
Middleton Elementary School
(603) 473-5000
[email protected]