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Fourth Grade Instrumental Music Program
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Each year, students in fourth grade have an opportunity to enroll in introductory group lessons on band and string instruments at their school. Students will receive one 30-minute group lesson per week during the school day. This annual program is a fee-based, elective program for students who desire to develop the skills to perform in band and orchestra ensembles starting in fifth grade and throughout their secondary years in the Newton Public Schools and beyond.
Lessons - 2023-24: Lessons will start at your school between September 26 - October 6, 2023. Schedules and other details will be provided by your child's music teacher during the month of September.
Registration-4th Grade Music
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Annual registration opens in June and continues through the start of the lesson program in September. Families will register using their MySchoolBucks account. Prior to the registration period, music teachers will conduct an instrument demonstration and conduct a survey with the third-grade students to gather preliminary interest in the program and on which instrument. Parents will need to follow through in registering their students on their instrument of choice.
Need a MySchoolBucks account? How to register using MSB.
Program Fees
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Newton Public Schools charges an annual $200 participation fee. This fee will be paid through your MySchoolBucks account. An additional cost is incurred for renting or leasing an instrument.
For more information about setting up a MySchoolBucks account and paying fees, visti the NPS Fee Payment and Waiver site and watch the video at the bottom.
Fee Waivers
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Newton Public Schools ensures access to this program for all students regardless of their ability to pay the fee. Fee waivers include access to a district-owned instrument. Registration with fee waivers is available on MySchoolBucks. Applications for Financial Assistance are now processed using Aspen. Instructions for Financial Assistance Form
Instruments: Students in fourth grade have a choice of nine band and orchestra instruments
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Band Instruments
alto saxophone
clarinet
flute
percussion kit (2 1/2 octave bell set & drum pad)
trombone
trumpet -
String Instruments
cello
viola
violin
Students will need to be measured for the correct size string instrument -
Special Considerations for Select Instruments
Violin, Viola, Cello, String Bass: These instruments come in various sizes. You must bring your child to the instrument store to be measured for the correct size.Flute: The flute is a challenging instrument for petite children because of its length. If your child is petite, ask your instrument vendor for a “curved-head” mouthpiece. The curved head shortens the length of the flute, making it easier to reach the flute keys.Percussion Kit/Bell Kit: Ask your vendor for a set of bells with a drum pad and stand, including mallets and sticks. Students will not be learning how to play the typical drum set common to rock-n-roll bands. The primary instruments they will learn to play are the 2 ½ octave xylophone and the snare drum. They will also receive instruction on a variety of other percussion instruments including, bass drums, woodblocks, and other hand-held percussion instruments. It is recommended that you only lease a xylophone with a drum pad. If you do choose a Combo Kit (bells, drum pad, and a snare drum), you can leave the snare drum at home for practice. -
Instrument Vendors, Method Books & Accessories
Parents will need to purchase the appropriate method book and accessories as the instrument requires, such as clarinet and saxophone reeds, and a music stand for home practice.
Here is a partial list of local music instrument vendors where you can rent/lease an instrument and purchase the required books and accessories.
Option One: The best option for acquiring a musical instrument is through a lease-to-own program available through most reputable instrument dealers. This option typically includes an insurance policy for loss/theft/damage and your monthly payments can often be applied to the purchase of the instrument.
Option Two: If one of the instruments listed above is available to you from a family member or friend, bring it to one of the vendors listed below to have it inspected and maintained for use by your child.
Buyers Beware!
As a general rule, avoid purchasing an instrument on the Internet or from a large discount store. In a large discount or “Big Box” stores you may find many instruments available for a low price. Many of these instruments have a reputation for being poorly manufactured even though they might look perfectly fine. Similarly, instruments found on the internet can be risky and will not come with the protection available through a lease program. -
Important Considerations for Parents/Guardians
Music is perhaps the most diverse discipline among the arts (dance, music, theatre, and visual art). The study of a musical instrument is an endeavor that requires an individual student's curiosity and desire to perform. The guidance of a skilled teacher and the constant support of parents or guardians are also a must. The Newton Public Schools takes pride in the fact that all of our elementary students are provided the opportunity to learn a musical instrument. It is gratifying that so many of our students develop proficiency in their musical instruments and remain in their band and/or orchestra programs through graduation from high school and beyond.
There are several factors to consider when enrolling your child in this wonderful program and there are certain responsibilities that every parent or guardian must assume to ensure their child has a successful experience in the Fourth Grade Instrumental Music Lesson Program.
The Importance of Practice
Students and their parents must realize that regular daily practice is essential. Beginning students should make the effort to practice for 15 - 30 minutes each day. These times can be split into various ways, but the only way to succeed in learning to play an instrument is to practice every day.
All fourth-grade musicians will perform in a formal concert at the end of the school year. In some schools, there may be additional opportunities for informal performances or showcase activities at the discretion of the lesson teacher.
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Please call the ELL program office at 617-559-6043 if you need this document translated.אם ברצונכם לתרגם תופס זה, 6043-559-617בבקשה התקשרו למשרד תוכנית ה-LLE טל:Пожалуйста, свяжитесь с офисом программы ELL по телефону 617-559-6043, если вам нужен перевод этого документа.假如你需要這份文件的翻譯本,請打電話給ELL計 劃辦公室617-559-6043。このお知らせの翻訳が必要な場合はELLプログラム 事務局、617-559-6043 までお電話ください。이 서류에 대한 번역이 필요하시면 ELL 프로그램 사무실 (617-559-6043)로 전화주시기 바랍니다.Por favor telefone para o escritório do programa ELL no número 617-559-6043 se precisar deste documento traduzido.Si usted desea que este documento sea traducido, por favor llame a la oficina del Programa de aprendices del idioma inglés al número 617-559-6043
