Dear Parent/Guardian:
As part of the State of California music curriculum, we are playing the
soprano recorder in music class. A soprano recorder is a small flute-like instrument.
Skills learned by playing the recorder include music reading and writing, hand-eye
coordination, following a conductor, self-discipline, and group cooperation.
Academic skills such as language arts, mathematics, and social studies are
reinforced as well.
Each student has a recorder and music to use in class, however students are
expected to practice at home in order to pass playing tests in class and prepare for
a concert. Playing tests will be a LARGE PART OF THE MUSIC GRADE and students
will be rewarded with colored belts to hang on their recorder when they pass
playing tests. You are highly encouraged to purchase a recorder package, which
includes a recorder, book and CD (or just book/CD OR ipad app) for your child’s
home practice. They are available from Thomas Musical Instruments on 1010H Fair
Avenue, Santa Cruz, (831) 425-0110 ( I suggest calling first) and online (google the
name and author Denise Gagne: 4th GRADE: “The Complete Recorder Resource Book
1” and 5TH GRADE: “The Complete Recorder Resource Book 2”). This will make for
successful and enjoyable practice. Please make sure to label the recorder and case,
with your child’s name and classroom teacher’s name (use a Sharpie!) if they bring it
to school. A phone number is helpful as well.
If you choose not to purchase a recorder, your child will be allowed to check
out their class recorder. However, they will be responsible for bringing their
recorder to class each week (leave it in your backpack). Students who do not bring
their recorder to music class will use a pencil on which to practice their fingerings
and their effort grade will be marked down for the day. They will also be
responsible for taking their own copies of the music we are practicing in class (from
the pocket chart) but will not have access to a practice CD.
All forms are due from EVERY student by December 17. Turn in to the
office, music class or your teacher. Please visit
mrshaeger.wikispaces.com for more information about what
we are learning and what songs are expected in this unit.
Musically yours,
Mrs. Haeger,
Westlake and Bay View Music Teacher
khaeger@sccs.net
RECORDER FORM
DUE FROM ALL STUDENTS BY DECEMBER 17
Student Name _________________________Teacher _____________
Parent Name __________________________ Phone #______________
_______ RECOMMENDED OPTION: We will purchase a recorder and book/CD
from Thomas Musical Instruments or online BEFORE January 4.
________We already have a recorder and will purchase a book/CD from Thomas
Musical Instruments or online before January 4.
______ IPAD option: We already have a recorder and will order the iphone/ipad
app. Search: “Learn and Play Recorder” 1 (4th Gr.) or 2 (5th Gr.).
______ We already have a recorder and my child will get their own practice sheets
from the pocket chart in the music room. We understand we will not have music to
listen and practice with.
______ We would like to check a recorder out from school and my child will get
their own practice sheets from the pocket chart in the music room. We understand
we will not have music to listen to and practice with and will not have all of the songs
we practice in class. Replacement cost for a lost recorder is $3.00.
I UNDERSTAND MY CHILD WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PRACTICING
REGULARLY AT HOME AND TESTING FOR SONGS IN CLASS. THIS WILL BE
PART OF MY CHILD’S MUSIC GRADE.
PARENT SIGNATURE: ________________________________