Wednesday 12 September 2018

Grade 6 Welcome to Band!


DEAR PARENTS, GUARDIANS, AND BAND MEMBERS,

Welcome to Band in the Martin Area Elementary Band Program!  Below, please find information essential to a smooth, fun-filled beginning.  We are currently visiting all schools to meet our band students, answer any questions, and get everyone organized!


CONTACTING THE TEACHERS
The names of the three band teachers in your area are Mrs. Vanessa Strykiwsky, Mrs. Robin Swann and Ms. Lindsay Stetner.  We travel between several different schools so sometimes communicating with one of us can be a challenge.  The best way to reach us is through email:

Vanessa Strykiwsky                          Robin Swann                         Lindsay Stetner
vanessa.strykiwsky@rbe.sk.ca         robin.swann@rbe.sk.ca        lindsay.stetner@rbe.sk.ca


GETTING AN INSTRUMENT
If you are playing flute, clarinet, alto or tenor saxophone, trumpet, trombone or percussion, please rent your instrument if you haven’t done so already.  Remember, the two stores in Regina that rent band instruments are St. John’s Music, and Long & McQuade Music.

*****If you are not able to rent an instrument through one of these stores because
of financial reasons, an instrument can be provided for you.*****
Please send a note with your child stating your need for
an instrument and we will provide your student with one!

Bass clarinets, baritone saxes, french horns, baritones and tubas are rented through the Regina Board of Education and will be handed out at the Headstart Clinic (September 19 at Martin Collegiate).  The fee for these instruments is $150 per school year and will be set up online.


METHOD BOOK
We use the RED Standard of Excellence – Book 1 throughout Grade 6 and into Grade 7.  This book can be purchased from either St. Johns Music, or Long & McQuade Music.  Please have this book for September 19, which is our HEADSTART CLINIC.


WHEN DO WE GET STARTED??
Sectionals – happen once per week for 45 minutes, always on the same day of the school’s 5-day rotation (not always the same day of the week), and we meet your child at his/her school.  This is referred to as a Sectional.
Full Band – This happens once per week for 1 hour.  Students travel by bus to McLurg so that we can combine schools and rehearse as a whole band in an appropriately sized and equipped room.  This is what we call Full Band.

The first day of sectionals is:
Walker            September 11 (Day 1 AM)
McLurg           September 13 afternoon (Day 3 PM)
Rosemont       September 14 morning (Day 4 AM)

The first day of full band is September 26 (Day 2 from 9:30-10:30am) in the McLurg Band Room.  Bus times are as follows:
Walker            9:15 am
Rosemont       9:20 am

WITH ONLY 2 TEACHING TIMES IN A WHOLE WEEK, ATTENDANCE WITH INSTRUMENTS AND MUSIC ON THE CORRECT DAYS AND TIMES IS A
REQUIREMENT FOR SUCCESS AND ENJOYMENT IN BAND.


HEADSTART CLINIC
Our headstart clinic this year is on September 19 from 3:00-7:00PM at Martin Collegiate. Please see our separate post with more information. It is a requirement for beginning band students to attend this very important evening of learning!


PARENTS
Anything you can do to assist your child in remembering which days are “band days”, including posting a school calendar at home, having them highlight a calendar, gentle reminders the night before, putting the instrument by the door, will help to ensure their progress and future success in band.  Thank you!

We will be notifying you throughout the year via email and notes to the students of upcoming events such as concerts, festivals, trips, etc.  If possible, please ensure we have your current email address so you’re able to receive all information.  If you find you are not receiving our emails, please send a message to us and we will add you.

Joining the band program is a wonderful opportunity.  We look forward to educating your children in a musical setting, and watching them grow into young musicians! 
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions, concerns, or feedback.

We look forward to meeting and working with our new musicians very soon!

Vanessa Strykiwsky, Robin Swann & Lindsay Stetner
Martin Area Band Team

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