Hello students and parents!
Welcome to the new school year, which as usual will be a busy one for all the performing ensembles in our music department. Please take a moment to read the following information.
We welcome Ms. Sheridan to our department. Ms. Sheridan is with us for the year while Mr. Maskell is on a leave-of-absence. We are excited to have the chance to work with Ms. Sheridan, a musician and educator who brings fresh skills and talent to our department.
Instruments and Equipment:
Students generally supply their own instruments. Instruments can be rented through Long and McQuade Music, Tom Lee Music or Masullo Music. If you are considering purchasing an instrument and are unfamiliar with instruments, please consult with a music teacher before making your final decision. Many instruments on the market are poor quality, and playing these instruments often results in frustration. Good, reasonably priced instruments are available, and will help a young musician meet with success.
Below is a list of mandatory equipment for band classes:
Flute- cleaning rod, swab, polishing cloth
Oboe and Bassoon- At least 4 cane reeds, swab, cork grease, water container, polishing cloth
Clarinet and saxophone- box of 10 reeds (2.5 strength for gr.8/9), swab, cork grease, polishing cloth
Trumpet, French Horn, Euphonium, Tuba - valve oil, polishing cloth, slide grease
Trombone- Slide Cream (”slide-o-mix” is recommended), water spray bottle, polishing cloth, cleaning snake, slide grease
Percussion/Drums- Stick bag with 2 pairs of vic firth SD1 or 5A drumsticks, Medium hard xylophone/bell mallets (hard plastic), soft yarn mallets for vibes/suspended cymbal, Vic Firth T1 General timpani mallets
Bass Guitar- Patch cord, tuner (electric bass players enrolled in concert band will be expected to play acoustic bass, instruments will be provided by the school)
Student Instrument storage:
All instrument cases and music folders must be clearly labeled with the student’s name. The NWSS Music Department will make every effort to ensure that instruments are not stolen, but ultimately NWSS cannot be held responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen instruments. It is therefore incumbent upon each student to ensure that the instrument is labeled and stored away safely in the storage locker at the end of each rehearsal.
Evaluation and course information:
Please look at the information under “courses” for detailed assessment information.
Home Practice:
Home practice is the “homework” for band and choir classes. Students are expected to practice at least 20 minutes every 2nd day. We hope that parents will encourage students to maintain this standard.
Individual practice is essential for individual growth as well as productive group rehearsals. Students should come to rehearsals with their individual parts practiced so the ensemble can rehearse efficiently. The band room is generally available for practicing after school. There will be periodic assignments to evaluate student’s practice habits.
More information about practicing, including tips for musicians and parents, can be found on this website under “courses”, “expectations”.
If you have any questions, please contact your student’s music teacher at the email address below, or call the music department office at 604-517-6260
Sincerely,
Ms. K Proznick- kproznick@sd40.bc.ca
Mr. S Clements- sclements@sd40.bc.ca
Mr. P Zaenker- pzaenker@sd40.bc.ca
Ms. C Sheridan- csheridan@sd40.bc.ca
