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THE ORCHESTRA & BAND EXPERIENCE
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PROGRAM Tacoma Public Schools offers an elementary instrumental music program at Meeker Middle School. Read further for more information. HOW CAN MY FIFTH GRADER BEGIN LEARNING TO PLAY AN INSTRUMENT? Orchestra and band class for fifth grade students from Browns Point, Crescent Heights and NE Tacoma is held at Meeker Middle School. The class begins at 8:00 am and lasts until 8:45 am. The class is over before elementary school begins. Crescent Heights and NE Tacoma will meet Mondays and Wednesdays. Browns Point will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays. HOW WILL MY CHILD GET TO MEEKER FOR INSTRUCTION? Students may walk to the school, get a ride from family or a friend’s family, or take a school bus. Students who need to take the school bus will receive a bus schedule that includes the nearest established bus stop location along the route. WHAT IF MY CHILD USUALLY HAS BREAKFAST AT SCHOOL? Breakfast will be served at Meeker before music instruction begins. HOW WILL MY CHILD GET TO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AFTER MUSIC CLASS? A district school bus will shuttle from orchestra and band class back to the elementary school before the start of school. WHAT WILL MY CHILD NEED FOR ORCHESTRA OR BAND CLASS? The orchestra and band teachers from Meeker Middle School will give your fifth grade class a presentation of the programs. You will need to buy, borrow, or rent an instrument that you can keep while you are taking orchestra instruction. In addition to having an instrument, all orchestra students will need to purchase the following items:
ORCHESTRA (string instruments) Essential Elements 2000 for Strings, Book 1 for the student’s chosen instrument. pencil rosin soft cleaning cloth shoulder rest (violin/viola) rock stop (cello/bass) folding wire music stand
BAND (wind instruments) Standard of Excellence Enhanced, Book 1 (red) for the student’s chosen instrument. pencil valve oil (brass) reeds & cork grease (woodwinds) soft cleaning cloth folding wire music stand
WHERE CAN I GO TO RENT AN INSTRUMENT AND PURCHASE MUSIC SUPPLIES? The following information is offered as a courtesy to students and parents. The Tacoma School District refrains from recommending these or other vendors in the community.
Instrument Rentals and Orchestra Resources Music Store Address Gonter's Bandstand Music 2302 Pacific Avenue Hammond Ashely 19825 Des Moines Way S (SeaTac) Helmer's Music 5003 Tacoma Mall Boulevard Helmer's Music 1640 South 318th Place (Federal Way) Highland Hill Music 6814 Sixth Avenue Lakewood Music 6111 Lakewood Town Center Blvd. SW Music World 3818 100th Street SW (Lakewood) Ted Brown Music 6228 Tacoma Mall Boulevard West Campus Music 32042 23rd Ave. South (Federal Way) Phone Number 253-272-2201 206-878-3456 253-475-6740 253-952-6052 253-564-8454 253-581-2926 253-582-3132 253-272-3211 253-946-4956
WHAT DOES IT COST TO RENT AN INSTRUMENT? New instrument rental fees range from $24 to $40 a month with the larger instruments costing a bit more. Used instruments cost less to rent. Rental fees usually include insurance against fire, theft, and damage. The rental fee also applies toward the purchase of the instrument with option to upgrade to a more expensive instrument or transfer to a different instrument. District financial assistance is available in some situations. WHEN WILL INSTRUCTION BEGIN? The first day of instruction will be Monday, September 24 for Crescent Heights & Northeast Tacoma and Tuesday, September 25 for Browns Point. The teacher will give you a schedule of the days and times you will attend. If you are walking or getting a ride to class, you will need to arrive in time to begin no later than 8:00 am. Please do not arrive at the middle school before 7:50 am since there will not be any adult supervision for early arriving students. WHAT IF MY CHILD DOES NOT HAVE AN INSTRUMENT OR METHOD BOOK ON THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS? Attend the first day even if you haven’t acquired your materials. The teacher will give a deadline for having the instrument and method book. ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? CONTACT A MUSIC TEACHER: Orchestra Teacher Matthew Underwood (253) 571-6535 munderw@tacoma.k12.wa.us Band Teacher Bill Klouse (253) 571-6550 wklouse@tacoma.k12.wa.us
Beginning Strings or Band Enrollment Form
Please print. Student’s name (Last, First) _______________________________________________________________ Elementary school ____________________________________________________________________ Name of classroom teacher _____________________________________________________________ Instrument __________________________________________________________________________ Does the student play an instrument already? _____ Which one(s)? _____________________________ Parent/Guardian name _________________________________________________________________ Home address with zip ________________________________________________________________ Home phone ________________________________________________________________________ Work phone _________________________________________________________________________ email ______________________________________________________________________________ Parent/Guardian signature ______________________________________________________________ Date _______________________________________________________________________________
SEND THIS FORM TO MEEKER WITH YOUR STUDENT or RETURN THIS FORM TO YOUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SECRETARY
Please forward to Matthew Underwood c/o Meeker MS
update 3/17/09
5 Grade Beginning
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ORCHESTRA AND BAND
Information Night
Tuesday, September 18, 2007, 3 - 6 pm Meeker MS Commons
Come meet Mr. Klouse and Mr. Underwood. Get answers to your questions regarding beginning instrumental classes. Have an opportunity to rent an instrument from Ted Brown. Win a brand new car – not really. See you there!