Q. What is the Instrumental Music Program?

• This is the time when your student decides if they want to play an instrument in the band or string orchestra at Seneca Valley!

  • An elective enrichment program

  • No music background is needed

• The instrument your musician chooses now will be the one they play throughout their music career at SV.

  • Switching instruments or programs, especially mid-year, is not permitted.​

  • There are some special circumstances where musicians are permitted to switch instruments.

    • Decisions about switching instruments or programs are made on a case-by-case basis and only with approval of the directors.​

• Instrumental Music 0pportunities in grades 7-12:

  • Middle School: 7th grade band or string orchestra, 8th grade band or string orchestra, Middle School Jazz Band, Marching Band for 8th grade brass students, and District Level auditioned ensembles.

  • High School: Symphonic Band, Concert Winds, Wind Ensemble, Jazz I, Jazz II, Jazz Improv, Marching Band, String Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Individual Musicianship for all instruments, Chamber Ensembles, Music Theory, AP Music Theory, Music History, Audio Recording, Honors Band, District Band/Orchestra, Regional Band/Orchestra, All State Band/Orchestra

Please note - while it is possible to begin playing an instrument in the later elementary/early middle school years (5th or 6th grade), it is recommended that students start in the beginning of 4th grade.

​

Q. What type of commitment does instrumental music require?

1. Student Commitments:

   • Time Commitment:​

     • Weekly Lessons - attend your weekly 30-minute pull-out small-group lesson.

     • Full Group Rehearsal - attend 35-minute weekly band or string orchestra rehearsals in addition to the 30-minute pull-out lesson, starting in January.

       • This can occur during recess, WIN, or another time determined by building administration.​

     • Practicing - 10 minutes of practice a day outside of school​

   • Effort Commitment:​

     • Honor commitments 1, 2, & 3 above.

     • Try your best!

     • If you do not understand a concept, speak up!

       • It is our job to help you succeed!​

       • we have lots of tools, tips, and tricks up our sleeves!

2. Adult Commitment:

   • You will need to help your musician learn how to fit practicing into their routine at home.

   • We will teach them how to practice but we need you to reinforce it at home.

   • How can you honor your commitment?

     • Help your musician set up a consistent practice time​ - make it part of their homework!

     • Help your musician set up a consistent practice area

     • Ask questions about what they have learned - explaining the new information is one of the BEST ways to help retain the info!

     • Listen to them and praise their efforts. It will not always sound good right away, but with correct practice, the sounds will get better each week!

     • Hold your musician accountable for practicing:

       • no practice = no video games, no tv time, etc.​

       • extra practice = extra privileges

​

Q. When will my musician learn their instrument? How will I know when my musician has a lesson?

• Musicians will have one 30-minute small-group, pull-out lesson each week.

• Lesson times rotate throughout the day so musicians do not miss the same class each week.

• 4th grade is the perfect time to learn responsibility, time management, and communication skills.

  • We help your musician learn to manage the extra responsibility of band or strings.​

  • Musicians will miss some class time each week to attend their lesson

    • This could be math, reading, recess, special, etc. Musicians never miss lunch.​

  • We, along with the classroom teachers, help your musician learn how to make-up missed work, manage their time, and communicate when there is a special circumstance.

    • As your musician gets older, the responsibility they learn through participating in band or strings will prove to be an extremely valuable skill!​

​

Q. Will my musician play in an actual band or string orchestra?

• YES!

• Band and String Orchestra rehearsals will start in January.

  • This is in addition to the 30-minute weekly lesson.

• The large group is where we learn how to play as a full group and prepare for our concert.

  • We learn how to follow the conductor.​

  • We learn how to play with other instruments.

  • We learn how our part fits with the rest of the group.

  • We learn how to work together as a team.

  • This is where the hard work of individual home practice pays off!

​

Q. Will my musician be required to perform?

• Yes! Band and Orchestra are performing classes. We will teach the musicians how to perform and not be nervous on stage.

• Our year culminates with a Spring Concert.

  • Family and friends are invited to come to school on a May evening and watch our first official performance.

    • This is a required performance for all students in band and string orchestra.

    • Students wear our “uniform” for the concert – black pants, black dress shoes, and a solid white OR solid black shirt. A solid black dress is also acceptable but not required.

• The date of our Spring Concert will be included in the registration form.

  • Please make note of the date and plan accordingly.

​

Q. Are there costs associated with the Instrumental Music Program?​

• Yes, there are costs for the instrumental music program.

  • There is no fee for lessons or group classes at school.

• Your costs include but are not necessarily limited to:

  1. Renting an instrument through one of our approved music vendors

     • Initial instrument rental fee – paid when contract is submitted.

       • prices vary by instrument ranging from approximately $40 - $100

     • Monthly instrument rental fee – bill sent in December and due in January.

       • prices vary by instrument ranging from approximately $20 - $80 a month.

  2. Book

     • approximately $10 - $20 charge per book

     • additional books will need to be purchased at various times

  3. Accessories

     • Varies by instrument

     • An accessory list will be sent with the rental information

  4. Concert Uniform

     • Black pants, black dress shoes, solid white OR black shirt

     • Solid black dress (optional)

• There is more detailed information about the costs of the program in the registration form.

​

Please note: if there is a financial concern about your child participating in the program, PLEASE let us know. We are exploring options to help families in need of assistance.

​

​

Q. How do we get an instrument for our musician?​

​

***The most important part of getting your musician off to a successful start is having a high-quality instrument.***

​

• After registration closes, you will get an email with directions on how to rent an instrument. It will include:

  • Links to approved vendors rental contracts

  • A list of what you will need to purchase or rent

  • String instrument sizing information

• When completing your rental agreement:

  • PLEASE select “school delivery”.

    • Your instrument will be delivered to school in the fall.

  • PLEASE select the accidental damage coverage (ADC).

    • While we teach the students to be very careful with their instruments, accidents do happen.

• When you rent from one of our approved vendors, you never have to go to the music store.

  • The music reps come directly to the school to deliver and make exchanges when necessary.

  • Students are never without an instrument

• If you already own the instrument your musician will be playing:

  • Please reply to the rental information email and your director will talk you through the process of making sure that your instrument will fit your musician properly and is in good working condition.

​

Q. What about French Horn, Tuba, and Percussion?​

• French Horn and Percussion are not offered to first year instrumentalists.​

• After completing one year of band on a treble clef instrument, the band teachers will invite interested musicians to audition for French Horn and Percussion.​

  • Musicians interested in French Horn will need to play the clarinet or trumpet in year 1.

  • Musicians interested in Tuba will need to play trombone or baritone in year 1.

  • Musicians interested in Percussion will need to play flute, clarinet, saxophone, or trumpet in year 1.

• Percussionists learn bells first and then are introduced to snare and bass drum.

• French Horn and Percussion spots are limited.

• To get an invitation to audition for French Horn or Percussion, musicians must:

  • Have excellent lesson & band class attendance​.

  • Be able to play music on their first instrument with a steady beat and correct notes/fingerings.

  • Be able to read treble clef fluently.

• Specific requirements for the auditions will be communicated with interested musicians.​​

​

Q. We are ready to register - what are my next steps?​

• Step 1:

  • Register your musician for the program by clicking on the "Register Your Musician" tab at the top of this page and completing the Google Form.

• Step 2:

  • Wait for an email from your director before obtaining an instrument. It will come before the end of this school year.

    • Detailed directions about obtaining an instrument and supplies will be in this email.

• Step 3:

  • Follow the steps in the email to rent your instrument. Rentals need to be completed by June 30.