WHAT IS REQUIRED BEYOND SHOWING UP?

The enjoyment, pleasure and life long learning that

comes from playing an instrument is directly related to the
amount of progress in skill development made by the child.
This progress and skill development is directly related
to the quality of instruction received combined with the
amount of quality home practice that the child undertakes
between lessons. Our teachers ask that students and
families commit to regular daily practice once lessons
begin. Usually, an absolute minimum of 4 times a week,
outside of school, is needed to show any progress.
Beginners should spend at least 15 minutes during each
practice session. We will have practice tips to pass out at
the September 29th meeting.

INSTRUMENT RENTAL

After a comprehensive bid and evaluation procedure,
French Music Co. has been named by the School
Committee as our districts primary provider of rental
wind & percussion instruments. French Music is located
at 53 Otis St. in Westborough, MA 01581 (508-366-5994).
For the convenience of our families, French Music makes
weekly visits directly to our schools to service instruments,
deliver supplies or take care of any other needs. You may
also contact them via email at www.davidfrenchmusic.com.

Please be certain to identify your child as a
Needham Public School student to take advantage of the
listed rental prices and to secure the proper accessories and
book. Representatives from French Music will be available
at the meeting, Sept. 29th, to rent instruments and answer
questions about their program.

Of course, as always, families are free to secure
instruments from any music dealer they choose. However,
we urge that you deal with establishments that specialize in
musical instruments and that have the ability to repair these
instruments on site.

RENTAL PRICES

Monthly Rental
(Includes cost of all accessories to begin and the lesson book)
(All rental prices are applied towards eventual purchase of
the instrument)
Optional Ins.
FLUTE --
$14.88 +
$3.00
CLARINET -
$14.88
+ $3.00
ALTO SAXOPHONE -- $27.63 + $4.00
TENOR SAXOPHONE -- $27.63 + $4.00
FRENCH HORN -- $37.19
+
$5.00
TRUMPET --
$14.88
+
$3.00
TROMBONE --
$14.88
+
$3.00
PERCUSSION KIT -- $14.88
+
$3.00

REGISTRATION

In order to successfully enroll a child, 4 things must take

place:
1. Registration Fee: a $100 registration fee (checks made
out to Needham Public Schools) per student is required.
This registration fee is used to provide accompanists,
supplies, larger instruments, and transportation for the
program. This fee is only paid once per child. There is
no fee for the subsequent years in the basic program. The
fee is paid on September 29th during instrument night.
2. Secure an instrument --- as explained in this flier
3. Regular attendance at the weekly lessons and band
rehearsals (when they begin)
4. Commitment to regular home practice between lessons.

Remember:
MEETING: September 29th, 6:30 pm, Newman School
Fee: $100 registration fee (check made out to Needham

Public Schools)
Rental Fee: As indicated on this flier amount dependent
on the instrument
(If there is any concern regarding financial hardship, please
contact the Fine and Performing Arts Director, David
Neves. No student will be denied participation due to
financial constraints).

HOW TO REACH US

The Fine and Performing Arts office is located in
room 905 at Needham High School. Our office hours are
8 am to 3 pm, Monday through Friday, though you may
always call (781) 455-0800 x 2440, leave a message, and
someone will get back to you as soon as possible.
In addition, please visit our website at
http://rwd1.needham.k12.ma.us/fpa/ to find out even more
about our entire FPA program.

NEEDHAM
PUBLIC
SCHOOLS
Elementary School

Beginning
Band
Lesson Program
Grades 4 & 5
2015 - 2016

P A G E

BEGINNING BAND REGISTRATION FORM

IF YOU DECIDE TO ENROLL YOUR CHILD IN THE
BEGINNING BAND PROGRAM,
PLEASE GO TO THE NEEDHAM PUBLIC
SCHOOLS FPA WEBSITE AT:
http://rwd1.needham.k12.ma.us/FPA/
CLICK ON Beginning BAND Registration
Form 2015. FILL OUT THAT ONLINE FORM
COMPLETELY AND HIT SUBMIT
AND
PLEASE FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW AND
RETURN IT TO YOUR CHILDS SCHOOL MUSIC
TEACHER BY WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 23RD.

___________________________________ _______
CHILDS NAME

GRADE

___________________________________________
PARENT/GUARDIAN NAME

___________________________________________
PARENT/GUARDIAN PHONE

___________________________________________
PARENT/GUARDIAN EMAIL

___________________________________________
SCHOOL

___________________________________________
INSTRUMENT CHOICE

Check One:
______ We wish to rent the above instrument from

French Music Co.
______ We will rent the instrument elsewhere
______ We already own the above instrument

Dear Parents,
DETACH

T H I S

DETACH & RETURN BY SEPT. 23RD

R E T U R N

R E T U R N

T H I S

P A G E

This pamphlet describes Needhams

Beginning Band Lesson Program. This
program is for first year, beginner students
in grades 4 & 5. 5th graders who
participated in the before-school lesson
program last year, and are continuing
with the same instrument, do not need to
register again. Information for returning
instrumental music students was sent to
these students already. Please contact your
schools music teacher directly for details.
Students in grades 4 and 5 recently
observed a demonstration of woodwind,
brass and percussion instruments. The
purpose of these demonstrations is to
motivate elementary students to learn to
play band instruments. If your child is
already playing a band (or string)
instrument, we encourage him/her to
continue with the same instrument.
We look forward to welcoming your child
to the instrumental music program. Feel
free to contact me directly if you have any
specific questions.

DETACH

Please return this form to your childs music

teacher by Wednesday, September 23rd.
DO NOT SEND IN PAYMENT NOW.
Registration and rental fees will be collected
on September 29th. (Checks Please)
NOTE: IN ALL CASES, YOU MUST ATTEND
THE SEPTEMBER 29TH MEETING AT NEWMAN
SCHOOL TO MEET YOUR CHILDS TEACHER,
PAY THE REGISTRATION FEE AND RECEIVE
THE GROUP LESSON SCHEDULE AND
EXPECTATIONS .

September, 2015

Sincerely,
Dr. David Neves, Director
Fine and Performing Arts
(781) 455-0800 x2440

INSTRUCTION

Beginning band lessons are offered to students in
grades 4 and 5. 30 minute group lessons are held once a
week, before/after school hours, in each elementary school.
Specific schedules for specific instruments are determined
by the number of students participating on the instrument in
each school. The schedule will be available and
distributed by the music teachers at the September 29th
meeting. Feel free to contact the instrumental music teacher
at your childs school if you need specific information
before this date.

Approximately halfway through the school year, each
school will also begin a morning band rehearsal to
combine those beginners who are ready into a larger band.
The 30 minute group lessons will continue to take place
when the band starts.

Your band teachers are:
Ms. Catherine Iatesta,
MITCHELL
Ms. Lynne Doran,
HILLSIDE
Mr. George Vallatini,
BROADMEADOW
& ELIOT
Ms. Allison Penn,
NEWMAN

INSTRUMENT CHOICE

Choosing the best instrument for your child is based
on many factors. First and foremost is the childs desire to
play the particular instrument, combined with the childs
comfort with a particular instruments sound. All Needham
students have been introduced to the instruments in their
General Music classes, as well as instrument assemblies
and concerts.

The band teachers are available to assist students in
making a final choice. Please feel free to contact them for
their advice.

WHY STUDY AN INSTRUMENT?

In addition to the direct benefit of learning and
growing as a musical human being, long term study of
instrumental music has been shown to correlate directly
with:
--higher SAT scores in math and literacy
--greatly increased positive self-esteem
--improved attendance in school
--improved lifelong involvement in the arts through
adulthood

Participation in music also enhances a students
development in: goal-setting, problem solving,
self-expression, persistence, commitment and poise, just to
name a few.

And, once students joins the band, there are
countless opportunities to strut their stuff: Concerts,
recitals, private lessons, parades, festivals, All-State, etc. It
all begins in our elementary band classes. This year, each
student in the program will do a minimum of 4 formal
performances - 3 during the day and 1 evening.