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AmyZ
Administrator
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Posted: Mon Sep 1st, 2008 05:10 am |
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As son enters 4th grade I'm trying to figure out how he signs up for musical instrument classes during school vice chorus. I know instrument lessons are offered for 4th graders, but I'm not sure what the details are. Son wants to learn saxaphone. Well, most days he does. Sometimes he wants to skip the lessons, but I really want him to take the classes...
I'm also very anxious to find out how they are run and whether they will be a good introduction to the instrument or if they'll just leave him wanting more. Or worse, leave him hating music class! 
I'll let you know what I find out when--we'll see how this goes... Anyone else have experience with in-school musical instrument lessons?
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angel
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Posted: Mon Sep 1st, 2008 12:18 pm |
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I learned how to play the violin at my local junior high school. I was already learning how to play the piano, so the transition was a breeze. Most of the kids in the class really wanted to learn and we had a great teacher who obviously liked teaching.
Talking to other parents, the ones whose children that are taking private violin lessons, the parents say that they have trouble getting their kids to practice outside of the lessons. Parents have less trouble with the piano as far as practice. My theory is that it is easier to strike a piano note than it is to bow the correct violin note (this requires correct fingering as well as proper bowing technique). Go with the violin only if child has a real love for it.
If the music class meets every day, I would (almost) force my child to take it. The very fact that it meets every day would be excellent forced practice. I think a child could grow to like the instrument once he realizes that beautiful music can be achieved. I would take advantage of it. What I love about playing an instrument is that it could be a life-long recreation/hobby. I discontinued the piano while my kids were babies and toddlers. Now that they are more independent, I have picked it up again and it does so many wonderful things for me.
Does the class give you a choice of which instrument, or are students assigned?
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AmyZ
Administrator
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Posted: Sun Sep 7th, 2008 05:17 am |
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As I mentioned in the school fees thread, we have more information about musical instrument lessons at the school. Not all the facts, yet, but we're getting there!
The classes had the chance to see and experiment with all the instruments offered: violin, cello, flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, and saxophone. The teacher walked them through how each instrument makes a sound and gave them an idea of how difficult they were to play. Now, I would have placed trombone on the "more difficult" side of the house as there isn't a set place to put the slide to get a sound, but the teacher said it was one of the easiest to learn! Guess which one son wants to learn most... His second choice is saxophone and his third is trumpet. My husband bought me noise-canceling earphones for our anniversary. I may need them... Drat the luck that flute was "hard". 
After their orientation the students brought home hand-outs and sign-up sheets to their parents. The hand-out explained the various fees associated with the lessons (below) and asked that the parent consult with their child and if the child wanted to "try out for band" (no musical experience needed--I'm a bit afraid of the first recital...) the parent should fill out the form and indicate the child's top three choices for instrument. The teacher would take those interested and assess their skills and/or innate abilities to make a final instrument recommendation. I imagine she also takes into account how many of each instrument there are, too...
As far as fees go, as I mentioned in the school fees thread if you don't have free or reduced price lunch the cost is $86/school year to rent the instrument ("if they have a one available"), plus the cost of expendables such as reeds or oil, and the students have to buy their own music book! Families with multiple children in bands or orchestras across the district pay $43/school year for each instrument, free lunch families get their instruments for free and reduced price lunch families pay (I think) $25/year.
I'm still not sure when "try outs" are or how many days a week they actually have instruction (pretty sure it's not every day), but son is enthusiastic about trying out, so here we go! 
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