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Farnsworth Middle School
Music Department
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Instrumental Lessons/Private Lessons
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All band and orchestra students in grades 6-8 receive a small group music
lesson once a week. The
lesson is 41 minutes in length. The
lesson meets on the same day each week but at a different time of the day. This means that a student will miss a particular class once
every five or six weeks. On
the morning of the student’s lesson, he/she picks up a lesson card in
the rehearsal room (band/orchestra).
The time of the lesson is on the card. The student takes the card
and shows it to the teacher of the class he/she will miss.
At this time, the student also gets the assignment and any
materials. Students do not
come to lessons if there is a unit test, field trip, assembly, etc.
However, students need to arrange with their music teacher when to
make up their missed lesson. Students are expected to keep a practice chart that must
be signed by a parent or guardian. It
is very helpful if the parent/guardian marks the lesson days on the home
calendar. This will help to
remind the student to bring his/her instrument and lesson materials.
Students receive a grade for each lesson.
Chronic lack of practice and/or
absence from lessons may render the student incapable of performing
sections of the performing group’s music.
If necessary, the teacher may remove the student from rehearsals
and assign the student to a supervised practice area during the rehearsal. |
Below is a list of the materials each student should have in their practice
room at home. Everyone should have
lesson books, a music stand, and a pencil. Remember that many of these items may
be purchased at the FMS School Store (reeds, oil, strings, lesson books, rosin,
instrument nametags, etc…)
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Woodwinds
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Brass
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Percussion
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Strings
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At
least 3 good reeds
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Valve
oil / slide grease
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1
Pair Sticks
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Rosin
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Swab
/ Cleaning cloth
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Cleaning
snake
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1
Pair Mallets
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Cloth
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Tuning
slide grease
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Percussion
Kit
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Extra
Strings
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During the middle school years as students progress and mature,
improvements
and upgrades in equipment are recommended.
Instrumental teachers will be glad to make specific recommendations for
your child! Consider the following
as holidays and birthdays come up:
| Advanced Mouthpiece (brass & ww) |
Upgraded ligature (woodwinds) |
Better quality reeds |
| Metronome |
Instrument stand |
Brass mutes |
| Better quality strings |
Quality shoulder rest |
Yarn mallets (percussion) |
| Timpani mallets (percussion) |
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