Band & Orchestra

1. Welcometo Band & Orchestra Information Night Wednesday September 10, 2014 – GWMS – MPR Mrs. Savino

2. What’s Happened So Far? Instrument Demonstrations Week of September 2nd Students saw and heard all instruments Instrument Fittings Week of September 8th Students played 3 instruments and picked 1 instrument that best suited them Parent Information Night (that’s right now!)

3. Next Sign Up Night • MONDAY September 15th – GWMS – MPR • Anytime between 4:30 and 7:30 PM • Bring Cash or 2 Checks • What you will do: • Fill out registration form (pink) • Pay some or all of the district fee • Optional (but highly recommended): Sign Up for Instrument Rental Se Habla Espanol !

4. Quinlan & Fabish Instrument Delivery to Mrs. Savino • Lessons begin during school week of September 22nd • Lifetime of musical instrument learning! Then…

5. If you can’t attend Sign Up • Fill out Registration Form by Sept. 15 = Signing up for Band or Orchestra • Available online www.lyonsbandorchestra.com • Return form to school • E-mail me  savinoc@sd103.com • Get an instrument by September 22nd(you can start Q&F rental online or phone, BUT not guaranteed delivery to Mrs. S)

6. FYI – Morton West Band only (Orch. Club to be class next year) Lyons Township, Naz. Etc. Band & Orchestra Instruments Band Orchestra

7. Lessons • 30 minutes once a week • Lessons rotate • Small groups with similar instruments • During the school day, at school 8:40 9:10 9:40 etc.

8. Rehearsals • 50 minutes once a week • Full ensembles • Tuesdays – Orchestra • Wednesdays – Band • After school at GWMS • 4:00-4:50 pm Use Door 2 Bus to GWMS No bus back

9. Concerts • Concert Dress • Dress Top • Nice Bottom • NO Gym shoes, jeans, or T-Shirts • Beginning Orchestra Concerts • January 14, 2015 6:30 PM GWMS MPR • April 22, 2015 6:30 PM GWMS MPR • Beginning Band Concerts • January 25, 2015 6:30 PM GWMS MPR • April 16, 2015 6:30 PM GWMS MPR • School Assemblies & GW Tours • May 2015 during school Concerts are Required! 

10. What are the costs? • District Program Fee: $100 annually • Part or all of fee is taken at Sign Up Night (at least $25) • Remainder due by October 17th • Accommodations made by Principal • Instrument • Low cost rental through Quinlan & Fabish recommended • Between $20 - $60 per month • Rent to Own with 4 month intro rate • You can provide your own instrument or request school instrument • Method Book • About $10, can order at Sign Up Night • Band – Standard of Excellence Book 1 • Orchestra – New Directions for Strings Book 1 Music Stand Highly Recommended – about $15

11. Rental Vs. Purchase InstrumentAKA Don’t Get Stuck with a Lemon! Rental • Your instrument will be in great condition. • Your instrument will be a high quality brand and create the best sound. • Easy repairs through store (there is always a repair or 2...or 3) with complimentary loaner. • Strings size up for free. Grows with the student. • Low initial cost of $70-$150 for 4 months. Purchase • Questionable condition, unless you get it checked. • Unknown brands, difficult to know if it will make a good sound. • Unknown brands have non-standard parts = expensive repair without a loaner. • Student may play on string instrument too big until they grow into it. • Higher initial cost, particularly if student does not stick with it $300+ for good instrument. • Foreign made instruments are inexpensive and made with poor materials, inferior craftsmanship, non-standard parts. • Results in problems with tuning and tone causing beginners to struggle. If you are going to provide your own instrument have it by Sept. 22 Call/e-mail Mrs. Savino with questions

12. What’s my student going to sound like? How can I help them? Beginners • At the beginning all practicing needs to be encouraged. (Even the honking and screeching) • Through consistent practice (and Mrs. Savino’s help) students will gradually improve their sounds. • This is a life long process. Parental Help • Ensure instrument in good working order. • Look at method book pages, they are structured. • Encourage practice in small chunks. • Call or E-mail Mrs. Savino

13. New Instrument Boot Camp Optional, but highly recommended 4:00PM to 5:00PM GWMS, Band/Orchestra Room 156 Bus provided from elementary schools to GWMS after school. Parent pick up required. All beginning students come to learn and review how to put together and care for the instruments. Also learn the first three notes on your instruments!

14. Practicing at Home Practice Space • Music Stand • Pencil for marking • Free from distractions Practice Time • 60 minutes per week • 15 to 20 minute sessions • Not every student will require the same amount of practice to master each technique Practice during the commercials while watching TV If they get frustrated make the sessions short/take breaks

15. Instrument Care Mrs. Savino Will Fix It! Brass Stuck mouthpiece or valves Mouthpiece then… Avoided with regular oiling of valves, but… Woodwinds Swab stuck in instrument Avoid by not wadding up swab, but… Avoid by loosening the string before tightening it, but… If doesn’t remove with firm pull, then… If Q&F then Mrs. S orders string for free. If not, pay for string, then… Strings String breaks All other issues like dropsor breaks Mrs. Savino will send it into Q&F on your behalf and student will play on Q&F loaner until repair is complete.

16. See You At Sign Up Night! COMMUNICATION Weekly e-mails, www.lyonsbandorchestra.com Monday September 15, 2014 Between 4:30-7:30 pm GWMS – MPR Stick around to play the instrument your student picked! Mrs. Savino 708-783-4241 savinoc@sd103.com