Thomas E. Bowe School Band

1. Thomas E. Bowe SchoolBand Parent Night Please pick up a rental agreement for reference from the back table

2. Things we will cover • Why should my child play an instrument? • Which instruments are available? • How do I get the instrument? • What will be the cost involved? • How much should my child practice? • Techniques for good practice. • Care and Maintenance of the instrument. • What’s the difference between Band and Lessons? • Can you be in more than one musical group? • Contact Information.

3. Why should my child play an instrument? • Enjoyment • Complex mental and physical development • Self-discipline / dedication • Teamwork / Friendships / Socialization

4. Flute Clarinet Saxophone Trumpet French Horn Which instruments are available? • - Trombone • - Baritone Horn • - Percussion • Drums • Cymbals • Etc……. • - Mallet Percussion • Xylophone • Orchestra bells

5. Why don’t you teach piano or guitar? Piano and guitar are not ensemble instruments. -They can’t be played together in a large group. If these are the instruments in which you’re interested, you will have to seek outside instruction.

6. Can you play more than one instrument? Yes and no! Piano lessons are always encouraged. It will actually help with learning a band or orchestra instrument. Playing two band or orchestra instruments is NOT recommended – too much demand on the student!

7. How do I get the instrument? • Use instrument which you already own • Do not BUY an instrument until you know your child will stay with it!! • Do not buy a CHEAP instrument! • Poor quality is difficult to play • Repairs on inferior instruments are many times NOT POSSIBLE • If your not sure if it’s a good deal, ASK ME!!!!!!!!

8. How do I get the instrument? • Borrow a school instrument • Extremely limited number of instruments • First come, First serve • Parents are responsible for any damage!!!!

9. How do I get the instrument? • Rent an instrument Rental instruments are available from a variety of music stores. Contact me for more information. Regional Music Service Delivers and services Bowe School

10. How do I get the instrument? • Other music services – no delivery to school • Old Town Music, Turnersville • Music and Arts Center, Pennsauken • Sam Ash Music, Cherry Hill • Black Horse Music, Runnemede

11. Care and Maintenance of the instrument. • Students should use extreme caution when assembling, disassembling, or storing the instrument. • They will be trained how to do this. • NEVER leave the instrument in school • You are responsible for any damage, loss, or theft!

12. Care and Maintenance of the instrument. • KEEP SIBLINGS AWAY FROM THE INSTRUMENT!!!! • They are not trained in the care of the instrument. The student will be. • DON’T TRY TO FIX IT YOURSELF • More than likely, you will cause more damage. Send it to me and I will recommend professional repair if necessary.

13. What will be the cost involved? • Rental of instrument • Books • Consumable supplies • For woodwind (clarinet, saxophone) • Reeds (always have at least three) • Cork grease • For brass (trumpet, trombone, baritone horn) • Valve oil / slide cream • Tuning slide grease • For percussion • Sticks, Practice Pad & Stand / Mallets

14. Mr. Fox’s Convenience Store • Instrument Supplies available for sale • Should be for emergency • I make no profit – my cost to you I DON’T WANT YOUR BUSINESS!!! Go to a music store, please.

15. Parents and PracticeTo be effective, parents must take an ACTIVE role in the students practice! • Set a scheduled time to practice • Treat practice as HOMEWORK!!!! • Because it IS Homework • Call it Music Homework • Treat as just as important as math and reading homework! • If you diminish its importance, your child will too! • Listen to your child play • Children love to perform for their parents • ALWAYS encourage – NEVER discourage • It doesn’t matter if YOU don’t know music – let your child teach YOU!! If they can teach it, then they know it

16. How much should my child practice? • Practice a MINIMUM of 10 minutes every day (that includes weekends) • ConsistentDAILY practice is where improvement is made; not amount of minutes. • Promotes musical memory and muscle development • More than 10 minutes daily, of course, is better. Consider the child’s schedule. • Check and sign your child’s practice record weekly.

17. Techniques for good practice. • Set schedule for practice time (just like homework) • Practice in a room where other family members won’t be disturbed (and visa versa) • Use a music stand (not required but very helpful) • Stand while practicing if possible • Promotes good breathing and proper posture

19. Techniques for good practice. • Use iPas computer program and Play Along CDs which come with the book to aid in practice.

20. What’s the difference between Lessons and Band? • Lessons are small group instruction on how to play the instrument, usually grouped with the same instrument. (during school hours) • Band is a large ensemble of all of the instruments learning how to play together. This group practices and performs music for the concert. (Begins in February)

21. Can you be in more than one musical group? • Yes. • Your child can participate in • Band • Orchestra • Chorus • Chorus and Band • Chorus and Orchestra See Mrs. Rominelli for info about chorus.

22. Contact Information. • Email • dfox@glassboroschools.us • Website • www.glassboroschools.us • See my website under Bowe School Teachers • General info • Letters to parents • Practice tips • Links to helpful websites • Calendar • Much, much more • Phone • 589-5130 ext. 73112 • Voicemail will pick up during the school day. Please leave a message, phone #, and time to call. • Mail • David Fox, band director • c/o Thomas E. Bowe School • 7 Ruth Mancuso Lane • Glassboro, NJ 08028

23. Thank You for all of your support