Music

• To showcase progress, students will perform an evening concert in the winter and spring. There may be other performance opportunities available as well. 
• Attendance and participation in concerts is required of all members.
• Concert dates will be communicated at the beginning of the school year.

• When considering an instrument to play, it is important to have at least 3 choices in mind, as not every instrument may be well-suited to each child.  
• Each student will be assisted by a Band Director to try out the instruments and determine which is the best “fit” for success based on these considerations: physical characteristics, ease in producing an initial quality sound and balanced instrumentation of the ensemble.

High School	Director and Contact Information
East Ridge High School	Brent Comeau, bcomeau@sowashco.org, 651-425-2335
Park High School	Thomas Storm, tstorm@sowashco.org, 651-425-5707
Woodbury High School	Tark Katzenmeyer, tkatzenm1@sowashco.org, 651-425-4495
Woodbury High School	Matthew Shervey, mshervey@sowashco.org, 651-425-4495

• Band class meets every other day as part of the regular, 6-period middle school schedule. 
• Students will bring their instrument from home for class. Sometimes students who play larger instruments such as tuba will have one instrument at home and one at school.
• Students will have a combination of curriculum including instrument-specific curriculum and full ensemble curriculum. 
• Consistent daily home practice is very important for successful skill development, muscle memory, and reading retention.  Daily practice of 15-20 minutes is more beneficial than longer practice sessions on fewer days.

• Instrument, lesson books and accessories are not to be obtained before the instrument selection process has been completed.
• Once the instrument selection process has been completed, additional specific information will be supplied by your child’s Band Director in regard to obtaining your child’s selected instrument, lesson book and accessories.
• The instrument, lesson book, and supplies can be obtained through the music vendors who service SoWashCo, family ownership, purchase, use of a school-owned instrument or scholarship. We want every child who wants to play an instrument to have the opportunity to do so!
• Some larger instruments or more expensive instruments such as French Horn, Bass Clarinet, Baritone/Euphonium, Tuba and Bassoon are available for a nominal rental fee from the school district. 
• Your child’s instrument, lesson book, and accessories must be secured before band class begins.

Middle School Orchestra Registration

In middle school, students are required to take a music class (band, orchestra, or choir). Orchestra is scheduled as one of the 6 class periods of their daily middle school schedule. Students also receive occasional small group lessons for more individualized instruction. Students will register for orchestra when the school counselors visit their elementary school each January/February.
 

High School Orchestra Registration

Orchestra meets every day in high school. High School Orchestra occasionally combine with the band for a full orchestra experience. Students will register for orchestra when the school counselors visit with the students in January and February. It is expected that students have prior experience on a stringed instrument prior to enrolling in high school orchestra.
 

Does my child need to know how to play an instrument to sign up?

6th grade orchestra students do not need any prior experience to join. Students who wish to join orchestra in grades 7 and beyond should contact their school’s orchestra teacher for more information. 
 

Are there any fees associated with participating in Orchestra?

Enrollment in orchestra does not cost money; however, students enrolling in orchestra are expected to provide their own instrument (a monthly fee) and lesson books (a one time expense).

Families who participate in the Free or Reduced Lunch Program can receive financial aid from the district. This includes the use of a district rental instrument for a reduced fee or for free. SoWashCo owns a limited number of stringed instruments for this purpose. Contact your school’s orchestra teacher if you would like more information about a district rental.
 

My family does not qualify for a district instrument. How can I get an instrument?

During the enrollment process, orchestra teachers will send home information (March/April) to enrolled 5th grade students about how to obtain an instrument from local music stores.  Families will also be invited to attend Orchestra Instrument Display Night (May) at a centrally located SoWashCo school.  At this event local music stores will have booths set up and families can complete rental contracts on site.  Instruments rented from these music stores will be delivered to school in late August for the start of the school year.  Although instruments are not needed until classes begin in the fall, it is encouraged to set up rental contracts in advance to avoid inventory shortages.
 

Should we rent or buy an instrument?

It is highly recommended that families rent instruments. Orchestra instruments come in different sizes, and should be matched to fit each student to ensure each student is able to play the instrument in a healthy and comfortable manner. Renting an instrument allows the flexibility of trading in a smaller instrument for a larger one as the student grows. 

The recommendation is to wait to purchase until your student is using a full sized instrument. The good news is that most music stores that rent stringed instruments have rental policies that allow for a portion of your rental payments to be credited towards the purchase of an instrument after renting for some time.
 

How do I know what size instrument my student needs?

During the enrollment process, middle school orchestra teachers will meet with small groups of enrolled orchestra students during the school day at their elementary school to confirm their instrument choice and size them for their instrument (March/April). Music stores/vendors can also size students for instruments.
 

My student is ready for a full sized instrument. How do I purchase an instrument?

Stringed instruments (if proper care is taken) are investments. Stringed instruments go up in value over time if taken care of properly. If you purchase a lesser-quality instrument, you will not get your money’s worth when it comes time to sell it. If you want to purchase an instrument, we suggest getting a medium to high quality instrument.

Music stores such as House of Note, Quinn Violins, All Strings Attached, Claire Givens Violins, or John Waddle Violins are "string specialty" stores that only concentrate on selling and repairing stringed instruments. We recommend contacting these stores, rather than purchasing online, so you can set up a time to try out the instrument before committing to a purchase. It is also a good idea to ask your orchestra teacher for advice or assistance when purchasing any instrument.

It is not recommended to purchase any stringed instrument from eBay or similar non-registered string dealers, including "Discount or Big-Box Dealers" or retail stores. When purchasing online or from an unregistered dealer it is impossible to test out the instrument or see if it is really what the advertisement is truly stating before committing to a purchase. Students often become frustrated if their instrument is not in working condition or doesn't have the proper "set-up" that a string specialty store will offer. 
 

How do I know if I have a good quality instrument?

Things To Look For In An Instrument & Bow, whether you are renting or purchasing:

• Good quality wood

• No cracks or major dents in the instrument

• Working fine tuners (middle school students should have four working fine tuners)

• All pegs should be in working condition

• Proper "set-up" (this means the bridge is adjusted/made for that particular instrument. The action - distance between the string and the fingerboard - should be at a particular height)

• All four strings should be on and in good condition

• The bow should have a working screw

• The horse hair on the bow should be clean (not dirty near the bottom)

• The bow should have a full amount of hair on it (not too many missing)

• The bow stick should not be warped

• The tip of the bow should be in good condition (not broken off)

 

My student wants to play the cello or bass. How do I get large instruments to and from school?

Students who play these larger stringed instruments will have a school-owned cello or bass to use during rehearsals at school. Students will still be expected to have their rented instrument at home to practice. 

Please note that students will be expected to bring their cello or bass from home for concerts (2-3 times per year). As cellos and basses are not allowed on district transportation, a ride will need to be arranged on performance days.