Frequently Asked Questions:
- Is there a fee for this program?
- Where do I obtain an instrument?
- What brand of instrument should I look for if I choose not to rent?
- Can I purchase the instrument that I am renting?
- Did the band fee increase this year?
- What's new this year?
- Is there a band booster organization?
- Who do I make the check payable to for the program?
- When is payment due?
- What if my child wants to quit?
- Why do students have to audition for Jazz Band?
- My child takes piano/keyboard lessons. Can they participate in band?
- I missed the registration deadline. Can my child still play?
- What if my child doesn't have musical talent?
Is there a fee for this program?
Yes. The fee is outlined in the registration handout sent home
with each
child. Please note that FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE.
Contact Mrs
O'Leary, Proctor School Principal, for information on financial
assistance.
Where do I obtain an instrument?
The school offers a rental program through an outside company
(Music & Arts)
as a convenience. You may also go through a rental company of
your choosing,
music stores, online auctions, etc.
What brand of instrument should I look for if I choose not to rent?
My personal preference for good quality student-grade instrument
manufacturers include Yamaha, Gemeinhardt, Vito, Bach, Holton,
Ludwig, and
Pearl. There are many inferior instrument brands, and trying to
learn on an
inferior instrument leads to student (and teacher) frustration,
plus the
resulting sound is inferior, which defeats the whole purpose in
playing an
instrument. In recent years, there has been a shift in the market
toward
instruments manufactured in China. These come under a myriad of
brand names.
Manufacturing costs in China are much lower, and this is often
reflected in
the price and sometimes in the quality as well. Please be aware
that if the
manufacturer will not provide a guarantee for service, you could
be out of
luck if the instrument breaks. Repair shops will generally not
service
instruments without forged keys and often they will not have the
parts to
complete a repair job from instruments made by these smaller
manufacturers. The quality of these instruments varies greatly,
and often it
is hard to tell the difference visually between two instruments
until
something breaks. That is why I recommend the more traditional
brands that I
know to be of excellent quality and are serviceable at any repair
shop.
Can I purchase the instrument that I am renting?
Yes. It is a rent to own program. If you keep renting, eventually
the
instrument becomes yours. Please note that if you decide to
purchase, you
receive a LARGE discount on the balance. Once you know that your
child is
going to continue playing, you should consider purchasing the
instrument.
Did the band fee increase this year?
No. Thanks to the work of our Band Boosters and some financial
support from the school budget, we were able to maintain a fee of
$400 for the 2011-2012 school year.
What's new this year?
Mrs. Reilly joins the music staff as the general music teacher and the Beginning Band conductor.
Every
student in grade 3 will learn to play recorder, clarinet,
trumpet, and percussion in
addition to their normal singing and movement that they do as
part of their
general music class. This is a very exciting opportunity made
possible by the
Topsfield Educational Foundation. THANK YOU TEF!
Is there a band booster organization?
Yes! We formed the Band Booster organization in the Spring of
2007. This group
is vital to keeping our program running. Please consider offering
your
assistance. We currently need volunteers to help with our fundraising events. Please leave your email address in the packet that went home at the beginning of school, or email me at kzajas@topsfieldps.org I need your help!!!
Who do I make the check payable to for the program?
Town of Topsfield. In the Memo, write "Instrumental Music"
When is payment due?
One Payment Plan-September 23. Two Payment Plan-First payment-
September 23,
Second payment February 3.
What if my child wants to quit?
I strongly encourage all students to try the program for an
entire year, so
that the students get to experience everything from the hard and
sometimes
frustrating work of practicing to the fulfillment of public
performance.
However, students may stop at any time. If renting an instrument,
the rental
agreement is ended
when you call the company to cancel and return the instrument to
school.
Why do students have to audition for Jazz Band?
The Jazz Band plays very difficult music for this age group. Not
all students
are ready to perform this music in 5th or even 6th grade. It
would not be
beneficial to the group or the individual to place the student in
a group in
which they were not able to fully participate. Auditions are not
done with the
intent of excluding students. Only interested students need to
audition. The
audition is not a one-time, now or never event. If the student is
working on
the audition and is showing progress, they will be
given a chance to re-audition.
My child takes piano/keyboard lessons. Can they participate in band?
While piano is not a band instrument, interested students may
audition for
Jazz Band. Students should see Mr. Zajas for an audition piece.
I missed the registration deadline. Can my child still play?
Yes. Please be advised that depending upon how late you register,
your child
may miss the initial lesson(s).
What if my child doesn't have musical talent?
All students who went to Steward School and played recorder have
a big head
start on playing a band instrument and already have some
experience reading
music. Even without this head start, it is important to
understand that music
is a skill that can be developed, just like reading, writing, and
speaking.
Regardless of each student's natural ability in music, the goal
of the music
program is to help each student advance their knowledge and
skills, enabling them to enjoy music on a deeper, more meaningful
level.
