Elementary Music Band Information
Your child’s music teacher is:
Mr. Andrew Jones
[email protected]
(951) 788-7388 x56049
1. Enrolling in Band
Band is open to any fifth or sixth grade student. Students must return to their band director a completed enrollment form (signed by a parent or guardian) in order to attend band class. Students DO NOT need to have their instruments and books on the first day of band class.
2. Instruments Offered
Instruction in the following instruments is offered at all elementary schools:
Flute ● Clarinet ● Alto Saxophone ● Trumpet ● Trombone ● Bell Kit
Instruction will not be provided in band for drum set, piano, guitar, recorder, accordion, keyboard, or violin. A strings program (violin, viola and cello) is available at selected schools and district transfers may be requested. For additional information, please contact your child’s music teacher.
3. Finding an Instrument/ Cost
A limited number of band instruments are available for check-out from your child’s band teacher and priority for check-out is based on financial need. Most families choose to rent or purchase an instrument from a local music store (see the yellow pages or do an internet search for a list of music stores and their locations). Some stores have “rent-to-own” programs in which part (or all) of the monthly rental fee is applied toward the purchase price. There are also several reputable online retailers that sell musical instruments. Monthly rental prices for flutes, clarinets, trumpets, and trombones range from $20 to $30 per month. Saxophones range from $40 to $60 per month. Purchase prices vary by retailer, but can range from as low as $150 to $500 for a good used instrument to $500 or more for a new, student-model instrument. There are also occasional incidental costs for supplies such as reeds, cork grease, valve oil, etc.
4. Selecting a Good Quality Instrument
The following is a list of brands that have performed consistently and maintained their quality over the years for students and teachers: Yamaha, Selmer, Bundy, Conn, Artley, Armstrong, Gemeinhardt, Bach, Holton, Jupiter, Buffet, Vito, Eastman, Emerson, King, and Leblanc. There are both high and low quality brands of instruments available at music stores and pawnshops. It is recommended that you rent an instrument from a store that specializes in musical instruments and instrument repair.
A quality brand will last for many years and is made of better materials with better workmanship. Less frequent repairs will be necessary if the instrument is properly cared for. Unfortunately, there are many poor-quality instruments on the market. They are much cheaper to rent (or even buy), but often are in need of repair immediately. Many repairmen won’t even attempt to fix these brands, as they are of such poor quality.
5. Equipment
The following equipment is required for the care, cleaning and performance of each instrument. An inexpensive music stand is highly recommended for home practice. Students need to have a three-ring binder for their music sheets.
Flute 
Soft, 8-inch-square cotton cloth
Cleaning rod
Clarinet/Alto Saxophone
Cork grease
Four reeds, Strength 2 or 2.5
Cleaning swab
Trumpet Valve oil Tuning slide grease
Polishing cloth
Trombone
Slide oil
Tuning slide grease
Polishing cloth
6. Method Book
Students will check out their music book from the school library for the school year. If your child prefers, a book may be purchased online or at a local music store. The music book we use is Accent on Achievement, book 1 for each instrument.
7. Band Schedule
Band generally begins in October. Elementary band meets twice a week for thirty minutes each session. Students are pulled out of their regular classes and are expected to make up all work missed during their band time. Your child’s classroom teacher will receive a schedule from the school band director as soon as it is available.
8. Attendance
Students enrolled in band are required to attend all band classes throughout the school year. Please make sure that your child brings his/her instrument, supplies, and method book to school on days when band is held.
9. Performances
Students in band give at least one evening performance during the school year. Your child’s band director will send home detailed information before all performances.
10. Homework: Practice at Home
It is expected that a regular practice routine will be set up. Fifteen minutes daily or thirty minutes every other day is recommended.
11. Music Standards
The Riverside Unified School District offers an elementary band instructional program that is based on the California State Content Standards for Music Education. Content standards were designed to encourage the highest achievement for every student by defining the knowledge, concepts, and skills that students should acquire at each grade level. The elementary instrumental music teachers chose standards from the state list that are appropriate for our program and that will provide each participating student with a solid musical foundation. The goal of the program is that participating students will be able to:
12. Grading and Report Cards
Your child will receive a report card for each full trimester he/she is enrolled in band (beginners will not receive a first-trimester report card). Report card marks are based on your child’s individual performance on his/her instrument and on his/her scores on short, standards-based written trimester assessments.
Band Enrollment Form
Application for Use of School Owned Instruments
Emerson Music Schedule
Beginning August 19, 2019
Exploratory Music
Villanueva & Nieto
Monday, 8:45-9:15am
Tuesday, 1:25-1:55pm
Tenette
Monday, 9:15-9:45am
Tuesday,1:55-2:25pm
Advanced Band
Monday, 9:45-10:15am
Tuesday,2:25-2:55pm
Music classes will meet in the Cafeteria