5th Grade
Beginning Instrumental Music Exploratory
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5th grade students have the opportunity to try some of their first skills on a band and string instrument and sample what the full experience at Redwood will be like. See what all the buzz is about!
Join a community of students, parents, and teachers who will support you through a dynamic and comprehensive program all the way through high school. Where can you start? It all begins here!
Join a community of students, parents, and teachers who will support you through a dynamic and comprehensive program all the way through high school. Where can you start? It all begins here!
Interested in seeing the various ensemble trajectories of each part of our program? Click on the image below to learn more!
(click to view)
Our success in offering instrumental music in Saratoga does not happen without your generosity and support, and while SEF donations support our district's "General Music" program, SUSD's band and orchestra programs at SMB-support. Please head here to find the Saratoga Music Boosters SUSD Music Program Contribution Page.
General Handouts & Resources
Announcements
** Please do not purchase/rent any instruments yet! Wait to reference our orientation presentation for more information.
Download the announcement below and bookmark this page to check back for more updates and they are announced!
Download the announcement below and bookmark this page to check back for more updates and they are announced!
| 2022-2023 5th Grade Music Introduction.pdf |
| 2022-2023 Beginning Instrumental Music Exploratory Packet.pdf |
Handouts
| "Be A Part of the Music" Parent Flier.pdf |
FAQs
- How will I know what to play? • Students will be taken through an instrument fitting and selection process during the first few classes of each semester. As each instrument has its own unique characteristics and is played differently, the fitting process helps us determine which instruments are better suited for success, and which ones should be avoided. This process includes mouthpiece trials and listening activities and evaluations. Students will let us know of their top two instrument choices, which will in turn allow us to narrow down their final instrument assignment.
- Are there any financial obligations or other considerations to participating? • Learning a musical instrument successfully requires an investment of both time and money. While money is never a barrier to a student’s involvement in our music programs, there are some requested contributions to help cover the costs of any instrumental music program in any school district. There are typically two requests. 1) Saratoga Music Boosters program contributions, which support bringing in professional specialists on each instrument. These coaches will provide students with the highest quality of instruction possible to ensure the most successful experience for your child, particularly with group instruction occurring just once a week. 2) Instrument Use contributions, which are requested to cover the use of quality instruments for your student such as repairs and maintenance costs. More information on both of these will be coming soon.
- Is one lesson a week enough to learn an instrument? • Particularly with group lessons, this option is intended to expose students to a small sample of the beginning instrumental process, but is in no way intended to be a comprehensive experience. Once students join us at Redwood and we are able to work with them each school day, then the real magic begins!
- What instruments are included in the Instrumental Music Exploratory option? • For band, students would be able to learn either the euphonium/baritone, trumpet, clarinet, or flute. For string orchestra, students will be able to learn either the violin or viola.
- What if my student already knows how to play a band and/or string orchestra instrument? • That’s fantastic! We would love to have them join us! Do note that this is a once-a-week survey of the instrumental ensemble music experience, starting from the very beginning. This is not a traditional daily band/orchestra experience. To keep the experience challenging and engaging, students in this position should try an instrument that they do not yet know how to play.
- My student plays the piano and/or guitar. Could they join the Instrumental Music Exploratory option? • We welcome all students! While piano and guitar are not included in band or orchestra, many of the skills involved will transfer over to the new instrument. Students with prior music backgrounds often find it easy to pick up another instrument due to their ear training, knowledge of music reading, familiarity with good practice strategies, and self-discipline.
- What are the expectations of student responsibility? • Musical instruments are expensive and often-fragile pieces of equipment ranging from $400-$1500 per instrument in addition to other materials such as reeds, grease, oil, etc. Students are expected to properly care for and maintain their instruments after each practice session. This takes special care and dedication!
- What are the practice expectations? • Instrumental music is fun and exciting to learn, and also CHALLENGING! The experience this year is intended to be casual, so there is no expectation of practice outside of class. However, students are welcome to bring their instruments home and play outside of class if they would like.
- Would there be any extracurricular practices associated with the Instrumental Music Exploratory option? • No. Our intention is to keep the experience entirely during students’ existing in-school 5th grade music time.
- Are there performances? • As the once-a-week class time is minimal and barely touches upon instrumental basics, there are no performances this year. These opportunities begin as students move to Redwood.
- When should I get an instrument? • Not yet! When it comes to musical instruments, brand names, quality design, and specialized details matter. There are many cheap and positive-rated instruments for sale online that are, to put it bluntly, no good! We will have more information on instruments in the fall, and also can offer school-owned instruments to use for the year for an affordable suggested contribution. We also invite and encourage quality instrument rentals from reputable local stores. This helps us ensure availability of school instruments to those students and families who truly need them, too.
- What if the instrument(s) that my student learned this year seems like a mismatch? • This year’s experience is meant to be a very small sample of the entire process. If students think that their 5th grade instrument might not have been for them but they like the idea of participating in ensemble music, they can definitely try a different one in 6th grade! We also know that there are many reasons that a student and an instrument don't mesh and are happy to discuss to determine the true root of the challenge.
- Anything else? • That’s it for now! If you are interested in checking out what other music offerings your student can look forward to from 5th grade through 8th grade, you can find us online at www.redwoodmusic.us.
