welcome to band parent night!. welcome to the west band family! tonight is the first step in an...

Welcome to Band Parent Night!

Welcome to the West Band family!• Tonight is the first step

in an exciting journey for you and your student!

• In a few short weeks you will be hearing some interesting noises in your house, but stick with it, you’ll be amazed at what your students can accomplish in a short amount of time!

• Elizabeth O’Donnell– Westridge Band Director– Comanche Elementary

• Bill Thomas– SMW Band Director

– Pawnee Elementary

Meet the Directors

Kevin Hupe 993-8067

kevinhupe@smsd.org

-Apache -McAuliffe-Sunflower -Rising Star -Overland Park -SMWest,

Asst. Dir

We are already really busy,

Why Join Band?

• Studies have shown that students in music programs perform better in math, science and reading than their non-musical peers.

• The friends you make in 5th grade band carry through high school. Parents of high school band students will tell you that most band students are the kind of kids you want your student to be friends with.

• Band students learn time management and study skills better than most students.

• Band students develop confidence as they master new skills and take part in performances.

Statistics for Music Education

• One in three of today’s school-aged children will hold an arts-related job at some time in his or her career. 

– Education Commission on the States.

• In an analysis of U.S. Department of Education data on more than 25,000 secondary school students, researchers found that students who report consistent high levels of involvement in instrumental music over the middle and high school years show "significantly higher levels of mathematics proficiency by grade 12." This observation holds true regardless of students' socio-economic status, and differences in those who are involved with instrumental music vs. those who are not is more significant over time.

– Catterall, James S., Richard Chapleau, and John Iwanaga. "Involvement in the Arts and Human Development: General Involvement and Intensive Involvement in Music and Theater Arts." Los Angeles, CA: The Imagination Project at UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, 1999.

• Students with coursework/experience in music performance…scored higher on the SAT: students in music performance scored 57 points higher on the verbal and 41 points higher on the math…than did students with no arts participation.

– College-Bound Seniors National Report: Profile of SAT Program Test Takers. Princeton, NJ: The College Entrance Examination Board, 2001.

• Lewis Thomas, physician and biologist, found that music majors comprise the highest percentage of accepted medical students at 66%.

– “The Case for Music in the Schools,” Phi Delta Kappan, February 1994.

• Research made between music and intelligence concluded that music training is far greater than computer instruction in improving children’s abstract reasoning skills.

– Shaw, Rauscher, Levine, Wright, Dennis and Newcomb, “Music training causes long-term enhancement of preschool children’s spatial-temporal reasoning,” Neurological Research, vol. 19, February 1997

• The College Board, in a publication about college admissions, states, “Preparation in the arts will be valuable to college entrants whatever their intended field of study.”

– Academic Preparation for College: What Students Need To Know and Be Able To Do, The College Board

“Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.” – Albert Einstein

What should I expect?

• Throughout their years in band, your student will get to experience some really great things – performances, trips, competitions, community, and growth.

• In April, watch your child play with every other band student grades 5-12 in the West area at the West Area Band Festival.

• In middle school your child will get the opportunity to perform a solo in competition, and may choose to try out jazz band.

• In high school, the opportunities are endless – pep band, marching band, concert band, jazz band, solo and ensemble, competitions around Kansas and Missouri, and a trip to London to march in the New Year’s Day parade.

• Throughout the band program students have the opportunity to develop leadership skills and take on various leadership roles within the band and the general school population.

How do I help my child pick an instrument?

• Consider his/her interests. – Students will almost always be most successful on the instrument they are

most interested in.

• Consider his/her physical build. – Everyone’s mouth is a little different, and not every mouth is built to play

every instrument. Make sure your child has an opportunity to try the instrument before committing to it!

• Consider what your child wants to do in music in the future – Does he/she want to join jazz band? Does he/she want to switch to a

different instrument (saxophone, tuba, oboe, etc.) in the future? This may play a role in what instrument they start on!

What about instrument quality?Or

How do I know I am getting a good instrument?

• Beware of a deal that seems “too good to be true” – Investing in an instrument is like investing in a

car (although NOT as expensive )– you get what you pay for. Especially beware of buying instruments from big box stores – they are shelved in the toy department for a reason!

• If you are buying a used instrument from an individual, take it to a repair shop first to see what kind of condition it is in. Will it need a lot of repair before your student can play it?

• There are several reputable music stores in the area that have high quality beginner instruments for rent, lease, or sale. The advantage of these stores is they stand behind their instruments if repairs are needed.

• Be careful buying your instruments on the internet! – There is no guarantee that the instrument is in

the condition they say it is. If an instrument is in poor condition it can cost hundreds of dollars to get it in working order.

• Make sure you get an instrument off of the approved brands list. – These brands have a long history of quality and

endurance in the hands of 5th graders.– Quality instruments give your student the best

success.

A final word on instrument quality

Investing in a quality instrument is vital to your student’s success. If they get started on an instrument that doesn’t work well or holds them back in any way, they will get frustrated and likely quit. Set your student up for success and get a good quality instrument!

Recommended BrandsFlute• Armstrong• Artley• Emerson• Gemeinhardt• Selmer• Yamaha

Clarinet• Armstrong• Artley• Buffet• Conn• Selmer• Vito/Leblanc• Yamaha

Trumpet/Trombone•Bach•Besson•Conn•Getzen•Jupiter•King•Yamaha

Percussion•CB 700•Ludwig•Pearl•Vic Firth•Yamaha

Instruments for Sale

Getzen Trombone - $150 OBO

Call Art Winter – 913-492-9617

Artley Clarinet – Best Offer

Call Carol Edds – 913-669-3399

Bundy Clarinet – Best Offer

Call Pascale Bullard – 913-558-4205

Music Stores

• Meyer Music - 10122 W. 119th (491-6636)

• Olathe Band – 13260 Lakeshore Dr. (764-4159)

• R.E.W. Music – 12842 W. 87th St. Lenexa, KS (894-4349)

• B.A.C. Horn Doctor-14933 Metcalf Ave. (390-1776)

Required Accessories• Tradition of Excellence,

Book 1• Cleaning/Inst. Care kit• Pencil (kept in case or music

folder)• Folding wire music stand

(for home practice and concerts)

• Name tag for instrument case

• Please have by the week of August 31 (the first week of band)

Getting Started Clinic!• R.E.W. Music offers free

clinics to show new musicians how to assemble their instrument, how to clean and care for the horn, and how to properly hold and make the first sound.

• All are welcome regardless of where you obtained your instrument!

Getting Started ClinicsBRASS• Tuesday, August 25th – 7pm

• Saturday, Aug. 29th – 10am

• Monday, August 31st – 7pm

CLARINET• Wednesday, Aug. 26th – 7pm

• Friday, August 28th – 6pm

• Saturday, Aug. 29th – 11am

FLUTE• Friday, Aug. 28th – 5pm

• Monday, August 31st – 6pm

• Each clinic should last about 45 minutes.• Parents are encouraged to attend and learn along with their student.• Please call the store to reserve your spot – space is limited!• Additional dates and times offered at R.E.W. in Olathe! See website for details!• R.E.W. MUSIC * 913-894-4349 (Overland Park) 913-780-4426 (Olathe) www. rewmusic.net

What to Expect This Year:• First 9 weeks: Students are very excited and eager to

learn to play a new instrument

• Second 9 weeks: Students realize this requires work! Fall concert in November/December (Attire: black pants/skirt & white shirt)

• Third 9 weeks: The middle of the winter is usually when we see students lose energy/motivation. We (parents & teachers) must encourage them to keep with it!

• Fourth 9 weeks: West Area Band Festival in April shows parents the path their child is on and where it leads. Students gain energy again. End of the year concerts in late April or May will show how much these students have learned in such a short time!

Parents are Critical to Success!

• Make it a regular part of your child’s homework time (this helps build a routine and also helps avoid procrastination)

• Practice in a quiet place, free of distractions

• Remind your child that you are listening; encourage them to “perform for the family!”

• Ask your child if he/she has recorded their playing test. Parent support is necessary for student success!

Frequently Asked Questions

• When are the concerts?The Elementary Band Website lists them according to school www.bandaides.org

• What if my child forgets his/her instrument?Still come to band! They will write a reminder note to bring it next time. (Phone calls asking someone to bring it from home are not encouraged.)

• Are private lessons required?No, but they are highly recommended. Beginning band is usually a large class, and it is not always possible to give one-on-one attention in a 30 minute class.

FAQ (continued)• What if my child wants to switch instruments?

Sometimes a student chooses an instrument that is difficult for him/her to play. The teacher needs to be contacted and a decision will be made based on skill level and circumstance. Ideally, this would need to happen in the first few weeks of band.

• What if my child wants to quit band?We ask for a one year commitment. Sometimes a student will fall behind with practicing, and choose to give up. We encourage them to work through this period and stick with it! There is a certain amount of stick-to-itiveness in anything worthwhile. “What lasts won’t come easy, and what comes easy won’t last.”

Questions/Comments?