S’cool Spirit Band at Murdock-Portal
Mail Forms by Tuesday, Sept. 10th
The S’cool Spirit Band Program is starting its ninth year here at Murdock-Portal School! The band program is
offered to 4th-5th grade students where they are taught the basics of playing a band instrument in a full band
setting. The instruments taught are flute (beginning band limited to ten), clarinet, trumpet, trombone, alto sax
and snare drum (5th grade only).
THE PROGRAM
Band lessons are offered after school and take place in Murdock-Portal's music room. Band classes meet once a
week for a 45-minute lesson and each semester culminates with a concert for parents. The band year is divided
into two semesters giving students the chance to try an instrument without a yearlong commitment. The cost for
each semester is $170.00 (approx. $13.00 a lesson). Because of the structure of the class, sign-ups are only
taken in the fall. NOTE: BEGINNING BAND CLASSES WILL BE FILLED ON A LOTTERY BASIS.
S’COOL SPIRIT WEBSITE
Our website provides many resources for parents and students. We provide online instructional videos that will
assist students with their progress. On our website, www.scoolspiritband.com, students can watch, pause, and
replay any of our online instructional videos whenever they want!
NEWLY ADDED! We’ve recorded audio and video examples for each instrument for the majority of the
songs students will perform in band! In these examples, teachers demonstrate how each piece should be
played. This helps answer the common question of students, “How does my part sound?”
CLASS TIMES
Two beginning classes are offered for students who haven’t played in band before. These classes are separate
from each other and both classes are taught the same material. You may choose the class(es) you’d like to be
considered for on the band sign-up form. The two beginning classes offered are:
Mondays: 3:10p.m.- 3:55p.m. (limit 30 students)
Thursdays: 3:10pm.-3:50pm. (limit 30 students)
These classes will be offered dependent upon a minimum of 15 enrolled students per class.
One Intermediate class is offered for students who have played in band before. This class is offered on:
Tuesdays: 12:45pm.- 1:30pm. (no limit)
PERFORMANCES & ACTIVITIES
Students will enjoy the opportunities to perform and have fun. These performances and activities include:
1st and 2nd Year Students
Winter Concert
Performance at Local Retirement Homes
Spring Concert
2nd Year Students Only
Los Gatos Christmas Parade
Holiday Performance at Vallco Mall
Performance at Local Retirement Homes
Annual Band Competition/Trip to Great America!!!
Blackberry Farm BBQ
Opportunity to Perform the National Anthem at a San
Jose Giant’s Baseball Game
INSTRUMENTS & CLASS SUPPLIES
An instrument, music book - Standard of Excellence book 1 (for their instrument), and number 2 reeds
(altos and clarinets only) need to be obtained before the first class. Quality brand name instruments are
required for the band class. Please review the FAQ page for required brands.
S’cool Spirit will hold several Band Nights (listed below) where band parents can obtain instruments and
supplies.
S’cool Spirit Band Nights
Tuesday, Sept. 17th at Dilworth Elementary1101 Strayer Dr, San Jose – 6:30pm
Wednesday, Sept. 18th at Blue Hills Elementary12300 De Sanka Ave, Saratoga – 6:30pm
Thursday, Sept. 19th at Regnart Elementary 1170 Yorkshire Dr, Cupertino – 6:30pm
There are THREE snare drum spots available for the INTERMEDIATE class and these players will be selected
by AUDITION. The audition will take place on the evening of Thursday, Sept. 12th. Please meet in front of
Portal's school office at 7:00pm. IF you need to reschedule this audition, please call Keith Pennings at 408-6246196. Students interested in signing up for drums must have at least one year of private lessons on any
instrument or have been in band for one year. The drum test may be found online
at www.scoolspiritband.com/drum_audition.pdf. Since there is limited space for drummers in the band, we
recommend choosing a second instrument choice. (new instrument = beginning band; last year's instrument =
intermediate band).
QUESTIONS? If you have questions please read through the attached FAQ sheet first or visit our website at
www.scoolspiritband.com. If you do not find the answer to your question, please contact Keith Pennings at 408
624-6196 for assistance.
Important Info and Dates
Mail Sign-up Forms to S’cool Spirit P.O. Box 18400 San Jose CA 95158
Sign-up forms need to be postmarked no later than Tuesday, Sept. 10th
Drum Audition Thursday, Sept. 12th – 7:00pm at Murdock-Portal
BAND REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS
NOTE: BEGINNING BAND CLASSES WILL BE FILLED ON A LOTTERY BASIS.
1) Complete the form below. Mark your choice of class(es).
1A) Attach a check in the amount of $170.00 (Payable to S’cool Spirit).
1B) Mail the form and payment to S’cool Spirit P.O. Box 18400 San Jose CA 95158. Sign-up slips
must be postmarked no later than Tuesday, Sept. 10th.
2) You will receive an email notification no later than Saturday, Sept. 14th regarding your child’s enrollment.
Beginning classes are filled by lottery, If your child is not enrolled, your check will be shredded.
3) Obtain and instrument and class supplies before the first class (refer to the previous page for list of
supplies). Parents may attend ONE of the Band Nights to get an instrument, class supplies and band handbook.
Parents may also rent an instrument on their own. If you choose to rent an instrument on your own, please
review the FAQ on the following page for the required brands. Lastly, visit our website at
www.scoolspiritband.com and download the Portal Band Handbook under the “Form and Handouts” tab. Check
your handbook for the first day of class.
S’COOL SPIRIT BAND AT MURDOCK-PORTAL - REGISTRATION FORM
(Mail form and check ($170) to “S’cool Spirit P.O. Box 18400 San Jose CA 95158 no later than Tues. Sept. 10th)
Student’s Name___________________________________________________Grade_____
School _____________________________________________________________________
Phone Number hm. (_____)_______________________________
Parent’s Cell (_____)____________________________________
Emergency Phone (_____)________________________________
Email Address (please print in CAPITAL LETTERS)
Example: ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ 1234567890
Choose an Instrument (If flute or drum is your first choice, we recommend choosing a second choice
of instrument as well) Flute____ Clarinet____ Trumpet ____ Trombone____
Alto Sax _____ Snare Drum (5th grade only)_____
BEGINNING BAND CLASSES (Limit 30 per Class)
Please check the band class(es) you would like to be considered for:
[ ] Monday-first choice, Thursday-second choice
[ ] Thursday-first choice, Monday-second choice
[ ] Monday only
[ ] Thursday only
INTERMEDIATE BAND CLASS (No Limit)
[ ] Tuesday
Frequently Asked Questions
1) I want to rent from Bronstein but can’t make/missed the Band Nights? What can I do?
You can rent your instrument from the Bronstein Music website at www.bronsteinmusic.com. When
completing the rental process write the following in the “Comments” section: “Cannot make it to the Band
Night, please deliver to (name of your school).” Bronsteins will deliver the instrument by the first day of class.
If you have questions, call Bronstein Music at 650 588-2502 and they can assist you.
2) My child is an intermediate band student and has their instrument already. Do we need to go to the
Band Night?
If you have your instrument AND music book (Standard of Excellence bk. 1) (for their instrument) you
don’t have to go to the Band Night. You WILL need to go online to www.scoolspiritband.com and download
your school’s band handbook under the “Forms and Handouts” tab. The handbook contains important
information as well as your child’s schedule for the year.
3) Can our son/daughter use their own instrument? Can we rent an instrument through another music
store?
The short answer is yes, but please know that you would be responsible for the upkeep of the instrument
including any repairs or adjustments.
Local music stores that rent quality instruments include Cannon Music (408) 996-8033, Exploring Music (408)
517-1177, Crossroads Music (408) 996-8742, Starving Musician (408) 554-9041, or West Valley Music (650)
961-1566.
Also, over the last couple of years, a number of instruments have been offered over the web and through large
general merchandise stores (Costco, etc.) at very low prices. Many of these have been of sub-standard quality. It
is our concern that students attempting to learn to play music on these instruments will become discouraged and
not reach their potential through no fault of their own, but because of the instrument. It is because of this that
we require proven brands, manufactured by musical instrument companies dedicated to music education. We
have put together a list of brands known to provide quality instruments at a reasonable price. You will find these
brands at many music stores and online. If you do decide to rent or purchase from a store other than Bronsteins,
you will be responsible for the cost of maintaining the instrument so that it plays well.
REQUIRED INSTRUMENT BRANDS
Flutes: Armstrong, Emerson, Gemeinhardt, Selmer, Yamaha, Image, Jupiter
Clarinets: Buffet/Evette, Leblanc/Vito, Selmer/Bundy, Yamaha, Image, Jupiter
Trumpets: Blessing, Getzen, Selmer/Bach, Yamaha, Image, Eastman, Jupiter
Trombone: Conn, Holton, Selmer/Bach, Yamaha, Image, Eastman, Jupiter
Alto Sax: Selmer, Yamaha, Conn, Image, Jupiter
4) Are there any scholarships available?
Yes, some scholarship assistance may be available for those in need. Please contact Keith Pennings at 408 6246196 for further details.