LOWER MORELAND TOWNSHIP SCHOOL
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PROGRAM
Playing in a Band or Orchestra can be an exciting
and fun experience; musicians coming together
with the common goal of expressing themselves
through music. But, keep in mind that it is also
an activity requiring an appreciable amount of
dedication, hard work and daily practice.
Practicing at Home:
The importance of establishing a regular
home practice routine cannot be
overemphasized! Your child's success with
a musical instrument depends on it.
Slow and Steady wins the race!
At the beginning 15 minutes per day, 5 days per week is
recommended. A student of average abilities who
remains diligent week after week will be more
successful than a student who loses interest as soon as
the novelty wears off
BAND Grading Procedure
All band students are graded each week based
on their participation and performance.
Every student can earn a possible 5 points each week:
• 1 point for bringing their instrument
• 1 for their book
• 1 for handing in a completed practice record, and . . .
• 2 possible points based on their preparation of the week's
lesson material
Two low grades for each semester are dropped and not
included in the student's average.
3rd Grade String Grading
• S-Satisfactory
• NI- Needs Improvement
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Bringing your instrument to class
Bringing your book to class
Playing and reading notes
Playing and reading rhythms
Holding the instrument correctly
Class participation
4th & 5th Grade Orchestra Grading
• Daily Class Grades
– 1 Point- Bringing your instrument
– 1 Point- Bringing your book
– 3 Points Participation
• Additional Grades
– Karate belt songs- retake until you earn the belt
Class Participation
• Expectations
1. Students will be seated and prepared when class
starts.
2. Students will follow along in the music and be
ready to play.
3. Students will be quiet and respectful when other
sections are playing or the teacher is talking.
• Get a grade for the 2nd and 4th marking periods.
• They earn an O (90%-100%), S (70%-89%) or N
(lower than 69%).
• To see our grades, make sure to change the
drop down box to 2nd marking period to see
grades for the first semester and to the 4th
marking period for the second semester.
Morning Rehearsals
8:00-8:45 AM
• 5th Grade Band: Fridays (beginning Sept. 27th )
• 4th & 5th Grade Orchestra: Wednesdays (beginning
October 9th)
• 4th Grade Band: Mondays (beginning in February)
• 3rd Grade Orchestra: Thursdays (beginning April)
Bad weather reminder:
If an entire school day is cancelled because of bad
weather, all Encore letters will be pushed back one day.
Your lesson will be one school day after it was
originally scheduled.
In the event of a late opening, any rehearsal
scheduled before school on that day is cancelled
Students should NOT leave their
instruments in school overnight.
They school district cannot guarantee
the safety of the instruments, and your
children should have them at home so
they can practice next week’s lesson.
Concert Dates
Monday, December 16, 7:00 PM - Winter Concert
-5th Grade Band, 4th/5th Orchestra and Chorus
Thursday, March 13, 7:00 PM – All-Band Night
- 4th and 5th Grade Band
Monday, May 12, 7:00 PM – Spring Concert A
- 3rd Grade Orchestra, 4th Grade Band and 3rd
Grade Chorus
Wednesday, May 14, 7:00 PM – Spring Concert B
- 5th Grade Band, 4th/5th Orchestra, 4th/5th Chorus
One important thing for your child to
understand is that . . .
It’s not always going to be FUN!
Although we strive to make the experience
as fun as we can, the initial excitement is
bound to wear off a little as our young
musicians realize how much hard work is
involved in mastering their instrument.
Then why?
Although “fun” is of course a goal, it’s really not the
real reason we teach music.
Benefits to learning an instrument and performing
music include:
Increased dexterity Greater concentration abilities
Group cooperative skills
Pride in achievement
More well-rounded
Expression of emotion
Discipline
For the love of music
Greater left/right brain coordination
“Brain scans of performing musicians
show their performance covers the
entire cerebral cortex”
Music helps to boost
academic performance
“In the 2012-13 school year, students studying
music scored 56 points higher on their reading
SATs, and 43 points higher on math”
(The Day the Music Died; PSEA Voice,
vol. XLV, no. 1, September 2013, pg. 11)
How can you help?
Encourage your child to practice
Offer to help; saying names of notes together,
helping them keep a steady beat, reminding them
to try it slowly before going faster . . .
Have your child explain to you what they are learning
COMPLIMENT your child when they have even a little success!
Communication: Check e-school for weekly progress
and comments (you will need to check the 2nd quarter
and 4th quarter to see these grades)
Assist your child in maintaining their instrument
Remind your child that the basics are very important:
THE BASICS
Tone production - watch intro DVD supplied with each
lesson book. Also, refer to my website where I have posted
some useful YouTube links
Posture! VERY IMPORTANT TO SIT OR STAND STRAIGHT
with FEET FIRMLY ON THE FLOOR
Proper hand/finger position
SAY IT – FINGER IT – PLAY IT
1) say note names in tempo,
2) then say them while fingering the notes
3) Play in tempo AT SLOW, STEADY SPEED
4) play song faster
Extra Help
Contact Mrs. Handfinger or Mr. Champion
via email to schedule an extra help session
before school.
Private instruction
Music & Arts Center
(215) 443-7880
Settlement Music School,
Willow Grove Branch
(215) 320-2630
or contact us for recommended local teachers
THANK YOU
for coming!
- Mr. David Champion &
- Mrs. Amanda Handfinger