Mt. Pleasant 5th Grade Band Sign-Up
Frequently Asked Questions about Beginning Band
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How much will it cost to purchase/rent an instrument?
A: West Music is the company we work with to get kids instruments for band. The prices vary according to instrument specifications and based upon your financial need. You will have the option to buy a new or used instrument outright, or use a Rent-to-Own policy. Please communicate with me if you have financial concerns. I will work to find an avenue for your child to still participate in band.
The school does own some instruments and can rent them out, but typically these are only the larger, more expensive instruments. School instruments are $130 for a full year of rental which is paid at school registration. Some of our school instruments aren't exactly beautiful since they are used year after year and some are pushing 30 years old. If you are financially capable of buying instead of renting, I highly recommend it since students take more pride and ownership of their playing when they play a nicer instrument- plus you'll usually pay less money in the long run!!
Percussionists also pay a fee at registration since they use school instruments such as bass drums, triangles, tambourines, cymbals, etc. That fee is $25 each year.
School Owned Instruments- (We have had many students buy/rent from West however!)
Tenor Saxophone
French Horn
Baritone/Euphonium
Tuba
2. I have an instrument already. Where can I get it repaired/cleaned?
A: I am able to do some minor instrument repair. If you find an old instrument that you would like fixed up for your 4th grade student, we will have West Music available at 5th Grade Sign-Up Night so that we can send it in for repairs before lessons begin. West Music always calls with a quote prior to repairing an instrument and they will deliver the instrument back to Mt. Pleasant so you don't have to travel to pick it up.
If your child’s instrument breaks during the school year and I am unable to fix it, I will ask your son/daughter to check with you before I send it in.
3. Do I need to buy my instrument from West Music?
A: We recommend using West Music because they will provide good quality instruments. Some good quality instrument brands include Yamaha, Selmer, Accent, Bach, Bundy, Buscher, Buffet, Gemeinhardt, Artley, Jupiter, King, and Conn.
PLEASE USE CAUTION WHEN BUYING INSTRUMENTS ON THE INTERNET!!!
The saying “you get what you pay for” is almost always true when it comes to instruments. There are some brands of instruments that music companies will not repair, because extra parts are not made for them. Some are just made very poorly and will make playing the instrument VERY difficult for your child. I have had multiple families purchase online instruments that break in less than a month of use!! Please ask me or another music teacher before buying an instrument online to make sure it is a good brand. We want your student to have a quality instrument so they can be successful.
4. If I buy an instrument from West Music, when will it arrive? How do I get a book or supplies if I already have an instrument?
A: West Music will bring rented, repaired, and purchased instruments directly to me to have ready for our first summer lesson I will have extra supplies (books, reeds, valve oil, cleaning swabs, etc...) available to buy the first lesson and throughout the school year.
5. When do you start summer lessons?
A: Lessons will begin the week of June 10th. The first week students will have a lesson everyday so they can learn how to put together, hold, make a sound, and care for their instrument. They will have a lesson every day for 30 minutes with a large group of their same instrument.
Week #1 June 10-14 -Every Day
After Week #1, students will have a lesson once a week for about 20 minutes in smaller groups. These will take place on Mondays or Tuesdays. Wednesdays will be for 6th grade band lessons.
Week #2 June 17 or 18
Week #3 June 24 or 25
Week #4 July 1 or 2
Week #5 July 8 or 9
Week #6 July 15 or 16
All summer lessons will take place at the middle school music room. The music room door is located on the north side of the middle school (towards the railroad tracks) and has a 6 on it. Below is a calendar view. Summer is a busy time for many families so please don't worry if your child can't make it to every lesson!
6. When does band meet in the fall?
A: 5th grade band meets after school once a week on Tuesdays from 3:30-4:20pm at the Middle School. We start meeting on Tuesdays after Labor Day. Each student will receive a lesson during the school day at their school and I will get a schedule of that out to you in the fall. I will be sending home a note in August that will explain this all in more detail.
7. When are the concerts and do they conflict with other activities?
A: For the 5th grade band, all of our performances will be on week nights during the school year. A calendar will be sent home with each student at the beginning of the school year indicating when these will be. Generally, the concerts do not conflict with other school activities. All concerts are scheduled around school sponsored sporting events and practices.
I'm sure there will be other questions you have in regards to something specific about an instrument or your child. Please feel free to contact me at my email below so I can answer your question directly!
