Wood Acres Elementary School

Helpful Hints for Parents

Dear Parents\Guardians:

The following pages are designed to enhance knowledge and awareness in assisting our student’s success in instrumental music. Please use this reference throughout the year.

During the instructional class period the student learns how to practice appropriately through the models presented. The sequence and drill of activities in the class period should be transferred to the student in their practice period. These are problem solving skills such as those associated with breaking complex performance tasks into component parts. When quality and quantity of practice is sufficient, student progress will follow. The successful and superior student is invariably backed up by enlightened and progressive parents.

Practice should take place at a regular time and place in the home without interruption. Experience has shown that those students who have a set time and place for practice are more likely to develop regular practice habits than those that do not. If possible, please help "set up" a small area in your home which could be available at any time to practice at any whim. The practice area should be comfortable, with adequate light and sound isolation. The room should have a flat chair with no arms and a straight back, and an adjustable music stand with a mechanical pencil. Please make sure that the middle of the music stand is at eye level.

During the first weeks of instruction the student should practice once or twice a day for short periods of time: 5 to 10 minute sessions. Gradually, the length of the practice period should be increased. Ideally by the end of the first year of instruction, the student should practice daily for a 20 to 30 minute period. I have had the most success with 15-20 minute sessions everyday as soon as the student arrives home. Playing music uses both sides of the brain and can be a most pleasant transition between academic work at school, the bus ride home, and beginning homework. Playing at the same time and place provides consistency. Please remember that if the student has a snack, remember to rinse the mouth or brush the teeth before playing.

Because the school instrumental music program is a group activity, cooperation and a feeling of esprit de corps also develop along with musical growth. Students learn to effect compromise and acquire skill in making constructive criticism. Learning music is very helpful to the development of listening skills and concentration. Through their musical involvement, students will improve in aural discrimination and extended concentration as the complexity of their performance increases. Students of music come to acquire a recognition and appreciation of the music of different times and cultures. This insight will serve our students well throughout life. The achievement of performance excellence on a musical instrument demonstrates in a dramatic way the relationship between effort and achievement. Feedback comes immediately and with the first performing success comes the feeling of satisfaction. Skill on a musical instrument can be the foundation of many varied professional careers in music and can afford a lifetime of recreational enjoyment.

More steps for success:

Since the student and teacher have only approximately 24-26 half-hour sessions throughout the year, minus field trips, holidays, and half-day, parents\guardians and students must realize that home practice is essential in the student's learning experience.

Parents should be advised to:

• Give continuous encouragement to beginning and advanced music students. Even though the practice session is "homework", playing music should be enjoyable and fun as learning takes place. The music teacher does not intend for this activity to be a "tense" experience. If possible, it could be a "shared" experience.
• Assist in setting up and maintaining a daily practice routine, schedule and place.
• Sign the student practice card.
• Remind the student to take the instrument and music books to school on the proper days.
• Deliver and pickup instruments that need to be repaired as promptly as possible.
• Make sure that the student's instrument, folder and books have the students name on them. Please have a luggage-type tag on the instrument with name, address, and phone number in ink.
• Help keep the instrument clean. Mouthpiece brushes are available for all the instruments. Both mouthpieces and toothbrushes can infect students after a cold. Use cold water only and anti-bacterial soap.
• Go to concerts. Let the student see the instruments playing together.
• The music teacher is always available for your reference. Please call if you have questions or concerns.

Parental encouragement check list:

• Students should have good posture, with feet flat on the floor.
• Students should always tap their foot.
• Caution should be given the curve the fingers, and have good hand position.
• The middle of the music stand should be at eye level. This will keep the throat open.
• The goal of practicing is to walk through the method book playing each line 5 times without a mistake, crossing off the number. The student simply proceeds to the next line, going page by page. Every week 90 minutes of practice will be rewarded by a sticker and/or candy, if permitted.

Other Helpful Hints

C.D.'s and Tapes are available from music stores as accompaniment for the method books used in class. This is a great interactive change to help the students keep time, perform for parents, and keep their practices sessions motivated and fresh.

Instrument stands

Instrument stands are available from some music stores. An instrument stand keeps the instrument available to the student at all times and keeps it from being knocked over. Students will pass by their instrument and casually play because the instrument will call them. I have found that it takes the drudgery out of taking it out of the case and students go right to work. Also, once the instrument is in the case. It is away and will not be played. Therefore, the instrument will be readily available six days a week at their whim.

Private Lessons

Private Lessons are not required. They are an invaluable experience for student’s who have an interest in showing great improvement on their instrument. Taking private lessons can provide the opportunity for musical success and wonderful musical and social opportunities including county and state honors groups (6th grade), and the top ensembles in Middle and High School and college scholarship programs. Some teachers will travel to your home while others require you to go their home or studio. Fees vary. Please contact Mr. Vaughn for more information

Group Lesson \ Rehearsal Procedure:

Follow group lesson \ rehearsal procedures outlined below.

• Meet performance obligations (see awards criteria).
• Come to Instrumental Music class on time, lateness will hold up the rest of the group.
• Unpack instruments, materials and prepare to play.
• Music books are purchased and owned by the students and should have your name on them. 5.Mark sheet music in pencil only.
• Students are responsible for having the following at each lesson: Instrument, pencil, practice chart, music book and music.
• Use practice strategies learned in class to make the most of home practice. (When applicable).
• If an instrument is unavailable, due to repair, or if there is a medical reason a child cannot perform, please bring a note signed by a parent\guardian.
• Have the practice card signed by a parent. Be ready to show it to the teacher at the outset of the lesson.
• Don't talk unnecessarily; since we only meet 30 minutes a week, we need to make the most use of our time.
• If you miss a lesson for any reason. please see the teacher as soon as possible or check with another student so you can catch up with the rest of the group.

Practice Card Policy

The student is expected to turn in their practice card on the first day of every week. It should be signed by a parent or guardian after you have practiced. It will show the amount of at-home practice done in the previous week. Each week will begin on the student’s class day.

Grading Policies

Students receive quarterly grades for instrumental music and are graded as follows: O=Outstanding, S=Satisfactory, and N=Needs improvement. Grades will be based on the following criteria:

• Attendance: If Students are in school, they should come to their lessons on time. They should come to class even if they are unable to play or have forgotten their instrument so that they can follow along and not fall behind. Unexcused absences, including forgetting lesson times, lower the grade.
• Playing test: the following rubric will be used for all playing test
  
  3 2 1 0 Good Posture
  Sitting tall, elbows off legs, bells above stands, etc.
  
  
  3 2 1 0 Correct Notes
  Notes played are as accurate, in correct order, and correct octave, including correct fingerings
  
  3 2 1 0 Correct Rhythms
  Rhythms played are accurate and tempo is steady
  
  3 2 1 0 Good Sound
  Appropriate amount of air is supplied, addressing (holding) the instrument is correct
  
  3 2 1 0 Articulation / Sticking
  Tonguing, slurring, sticking
  3 = student demonstrates proficiency at all times
  2 = student demonstrates proficiency most of the time, but with a few errors
  1 = student demonstrates limited proficiency, with frequent errors
  0 = student is not proficient, or student makes no attempt at piece
  
  Total score: _______ out of 15 possible = ________ %
  

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