What is Expected of Band Students

• Be prepared.  Bring your instrument, music, and a pencil on Band days.  Come to every class, even if you forget your instrument.
• Turn in a practice sheet every Thursday, even if you didn't practice that week.  Write what you played and for how long, before asking a parent to sign it.  To earn an "A", your practice sheets should have the following minimum average weekly time: Beginning - 30 mins., Intermediate - 40 mins., Advanced - 50 mins.  Students who do not turn in any signed practice sheets during a grading period cannot earn higher than a "B" grade.
• Complete assignments.  1 or 2 times a month, there will be a short homework assignment.
• Take care of your instrument.  Do not allow others to play with your instrument.  Show Ms. Louie if you think something is wrong with your instrument.  She will deliver instruments leased from Bronstein Music that need repair.  If you have purchased or borrowed a used instrument, have a knowledgeable person check that it plays properly before band starts.  Clarinet and saxophone players should keep at least 2 working reeds in their cases.
• Ask for help.  You can see Ms. Louie after during recess for help playing your instrument or understanding homework.  This time counts on your practice sheet.
• Attend class.  Unless you are absent from the school the whole day, bring a note from your teacher or parent if you are absent from band.  Attendance at quizzes and performances is very important; these dates are announced well in advance.  Students who are unprepared or who do not give advance notice of an anticipated absence are not automatically given make-ups.

Required Band Book

Beginning = Accent on Achievement, Book One
Intermediate = Standard of Excellence, Book One (same as last year)
Advanced = Essential Elements 2000, Book Two

Continuing Band Students Only

Option 1: Full Tuition Payment & Order Everything Online with a credit card

1. Go to http://www.bronsteinmusic.com/
   Click the "St. Francis Band program" tab near the top of the page.
   Click the name of your school.
   Click "Buy Now" for St. Francis Tuition ($300 until Sept. 5, $330 after that).
2. If you need to rent an instrument, click the name of the instrument.
   [You may rent an instrument anywhere you choose; Bronstein Music offers special school rates to our program for your convenience.]
3. Order a band book (see titles below) under "Other Recommended Products" in the instrument rental description.
   If you are not renting an instrument, you can order a band book from the "method Boods" tab on the home page.
4. Complete and return the enrollment form to the school office.

Note: online instrument & book orders will be delivered to your school.

Option 2: Monthly Tuition Payment

Sign up for monthly band tuition payments at a band sign-up night (see below); your signature is required, so this cannot be done online.  Tuition will be billed automatically to your credit card or through ACH withdrawal from your checking account.  The billing for this well be 8 monthly charges of $40 ($320 total) if initiated by September 5th or 9 monthly charges after September 5th ($360 total).  You can rent instruments and buy books at the sign-up nights.

Option 3: Band Sign Up Night

When is band class?

No early morning classes! & Intermediate and Advanced meet together on Mondays; your teacher can accommodate occasional conflicts with the after school class.

Do I need to know how to read music or play an instrument already?

You do not need any previous music experience to start band.  If you already play another instrument, like the piano, your knowledge will help you.  Private lessons are an excellent compliment to band class, but they are not required.

Is there homework? Will there be grades?

Less than 10 minutes per day will meet your recommended practice time.  Practice sheets signed by a parent are due each week.  You will earn a semester (not quarterly) pass/no pass grade.

Do I need to own an instrument?

You need an instrument in good working condition, which you may rent, buy, or borrow.  If you borrow one or have an old one, have it checked and repaired, if necessary, by an instrument technician before your first band class.  Most beginning students rent an instrument for the first year or so, because routine maintenance is free for rented instruments.  See "How to Sign Up for Band" for information on instrument rental.