Gorham Schools Elementary Band Information
For 4th and 5th Graders!
Instrumental lessons and Elementary Band rehearsals are about to begin! If your child is a newcomer to our Elementary Band and needs to rent an instrument, please attend the Open House at Great Falls School on Tuesday, October 9 from 5:30 to 7:00. At that time, you will be able to rent an instrument for your child, as well as purchase the necessary instructional book or other supplies as needed. Although you do not need it for purchase, you must be able to present a valid credit card as a safeguard against loss or damage costs to the rental instrument.
If you are unable to attend this Open House, but your child wants to participate in our Elementary Band, you may order online at musicandarts.com or you can go directly to the store that provides our instrument rentals. The store is called Music and Arts on 100 Gray Road, West Falmouth.
If your child is joining Elementary Band and is bringing an instrument from elsewhere, please make sure that you purchase the book entitled Essential Elements 2000 #1 for your child's specific instrument.
I was able to visit most music classes at our K-5 schools to provide an instrument demonstration earlier in the school year, however, if your child did not get a chance to participate in this and is not sure what kind of instrument he/she would like to play, I will be giving demonstrations of our band instruments at Village School in the cafeteria from 4:15 - 4:45. I will be happy to answer any questions you or your child may have at that time.
Here's what our Elementary Band schedule will look like this year:
Monday is a full rehearsal day. This day is dedicated to Second year band students - those fifth graders who participated in band last year. The hope is to have beginning band students join this rehearsal starting in January. Monday rehearsals will be at Village School directly after school. Participating students will be bussed from Great Falls School (bus #1) and Narragansett School (bus #6) to Village, but it is expected that parents will pick their children up by 4:00. The first rehearsal day for fifth grade second year band students is this coming Monday,
October 1, 2012. Students are reminded to bring their instrument and instruction book from last year!
Tuesdays are instrument lessons for Great Falls School beginners. Second year band students are encouraged to attend. Lessons on the stage begin at dismissal and go until 4:00, when parents are expected to pick them up. First day for Great Falls is October 16, 2012.
Wednesdays are lessons for Narragansett School beginners. Second year band students are encouraged to attend. Lessons on the stage begin at dismissal and go until 4:00, when parents are expected to pick them up. First day for Narragansett is October 17, 2012.
Thursdays are lessons for Village School beginners. Second year band students are encouraged to attend. Lessons on the stage begin at dismissal and go until 4:00, when parents are expected to pick them up. First day for Village is October 18, 2012.
A friendly word of caution:
There are stores other than Music and Art that carry a line of instruments for seemingly low prices. They may be beautiful with nifty cases and sometimes really cool colors. As tempting as they may be, be cautioned that thy may not be high quality instruments, which means they are not easy to play, are notoriously out of tune, and my break easily within a short period of time. If you are hoping to bring an instrument from home or have purchased it from another store, please feel free to bring it to the Open House on October 9th at Great Falls School and we will have the repair staff check it out.
Please Note: In order for us to be ready with the appropriate instruments and supplies, please fill out the form on this page and return it to your child's school office no later than October 8, 2012.
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