Frequently Asked Questions...
Q: What students are eligible to participate in instrumental music?
A: All Carroll County Public School students in grades 4 and 5 are eligible to participate in their elementary school's instrumental music program.
Q: What instruments can students pick from?
A: Students may pick one of the following: violin, viola, cello, flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone, percussion (drums and bells)
Q: Are Piano or Guitar offered in instrumental music?
A: No, they are not.
Q: How does instrumental music signup work?
A: Students in 4th grade are given both an informational presentation and an instrument demonstration during the first few weeks of the school year. After those take place, instrument signups are sent home. Students must make a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice of instrument. Once they are turned in, Mr. Thompson will send home instrument assignment packets and supply lists to the students.
Q: Why must a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice be made?
A: An effective band is a balanced band. Sometimes, a large numbers of kids sign up for one particular instrument. A band can't perform with 20 percussionists and 1 trombone player. In order to keep the ensemble balanced, some students who select a first choice that have a lot of students signed up for it will be assigned their second choice. I try to avoid assigning second choices if at all possible, but it's necessary to make the experience worthwhile for all students. Percussion especially needs to be limited due to equipment availability!!!
Q: I have my child's instrument assignment and supply list. How do I get an instrument?
A: All students are to obtain their own instrument, lesson book, and supplies. This can be done via rental (most recommended method) or by purchase from a local music store. Both of the Westminster area music stores have the WES Instrumental Music supply lists on hand and know exactly what students will need.
Q: How does lesson scheduling work?
A: Lessons take place two times a week for 30 minutes each. Lessons are pull-out lessons, meaning students miss their academic class time to come to the instrumental lessons. So students don't miss the same time each lesson, schedules are rotated so students meet at a different time each lesson day.
Q: Where can I get a schedule?
A: Schedules are made every two weeks. They are printed and made available in the band room for students to pick up. It is the student's responsibility to pick a lesson schedule when a new one is made. Lessons schedules are also available on this website in PDF form. Follow the "Lesson Schedule" link on the left side of the page.
Q: What is the home practice policy?
A: Students are expected to practice 80-90 minutes per week at home. Students are given assignments after every lesson that they are expected to work on at home before the next lesson. Students are also given practice charts at the beginning of each quarter. The practice charts are to be filled in by the student and initialed by the parent each week. Even though the practice charts are not due to be turned in until the end of the quarter, I will check practice minutes several times per quarter and record down minutes. So it is important to keep practice charts up to date!!!
Q: How does full band work?
A: Students who play woodwind, brass, and percussion will meet a third time a week for full band. 5th grade intermediate students start full band in mid-October and meet every week until the spring concert, except for early January and late February/early March. Full band time is used to prepare for the winter concert, the Westminster Region Side-By-Side concert, and the spring concert. 4th grade beginning students will start full band right after Thanksgiving break in order to prepare for the winter concert, and then won't have full band again until February when they begin to prepare for the spring concert. Full band is pulled out during specials time so students don't miss academic class time! String students do not have full band, but may have extra rehearsals scheduled prior to concert times, especially in the spring if 4th and 5th grade orchestras are combined.
Q: My child is in 5th grade, but did not play an instrument in 4th grade. Can he/she play an instrument starting in 5th grade?
A: YES!!! 5th grade beginners will participate in 4th grade beginner lessons and will follow the 4th grade lesson and performance schedule. 5th grade beginners will join the 5th grade intermediate (2nd year) students for one piece in the spring concert so they at least have an opportunity to play with their own classmates. However, the extra emphasis on basic technique in the 4th grade level lessons actually will make the transition to 6th grade band/orchestra a little smoother.
Q: Can my child switch instruments?
A: 99% of the time, the answer to this is no. Students ask every year if they can play a new instrument the next year. I almost always say no to this because that means that they would have to learn a whole new technique. The curriculum is designed so that 5th grade lessons build upon what was taught in 4th grade to adequately prepare students for middle and high school. The only exceptions usually involve related instruments on an as-needed basis for the ensemble, i.e. clarinet to bass clarinet, alto saxophone to tenor saxophone, etc. This is done upon my recommendation. But in the vast majority of cases, students play the same instrument from beginning to end. (Don't be the Jack of all trades and master of none.)
Q: How many performances are there each year?
A: All students will have a day and evening winter concert in December and a day and evening spring concert in May. In addition, 5th grade intermediate students participate in the Westminster Region Side By Side Concert in February. There are sometimes other performances added throughout the year that might involve individual lesson groups or 5th grade students. These vary from year to year.
Q: Is there a concert dress code for students?
A: There IS a dress requirement for the evening December and May concerts. Performers are to wear a white button or polo shirt, black pants or skirt at least knee length of longer, and dark shoes. Ties are optional. This dress code also applies to the Side By Side Concert for 5th graders. There is no dress requirement for daytime concerts.
A: All Carroll County Public School students in grades 4 and 5 are eligible to participate in their elementary school's instrumental music program.
Q: What instruments can students pick from?
A: Students may pick one of the following: violin, viola, cello, flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone, percussion (drums and bells)
Q: Are Piano or Guitar offered in instrumental music?
A: No, they are not.
Q: How does instrumental music signup work?
A: Students in 4th grade are given both an informational presentation and an instrument demonstration during the first few weeks of the school year. After those take place, instrument signups are sent home. Students must make a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice of instrument. Once they are turned in, Mr. Thompson will send home instrument assignment packets and supply lists to the students.
Q: Why must a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice be made?
A: An effective band is a balanced band. Sometimes, a large numbers of kids sign up for one particular instrument. A band can't perform with 20 percussionists and 1 trombone player. In order to keep the ensemble balanced, some students who select a first choice that have a lot of students signed up for it will be assigned their second choice. I try to avoid assigning second choices if at all possible, but it's necessary to make the experience worthwhile for all students. Percussion especially needs to be limited due to equipment availability!!!
Q: I have my child's instrument assignment and supply list. How do I get an instrument?
A: All students are to obtain their own instrument, lesson book, and supplies. This can be done via rental (most recommended method) or by purchase from a local music store. Both of the Westminster area music stores have the WES Instrumental Music supply lists on hand and know exactly what students will need.
Q: How does lesson scheduling work?
A: Lessons take place two times a week for 30 minutes each. Lessons are pull-out lessons, meaning students miss their academic class time to come to the instrumental lessons. So students don't miss the same time each lesson, schedules are rotated so students meet at a different time each lesson day.
Q: Where can I get a schedule?
A: Schedules are made every two weeks. They are printed and made available in the band room for students to pick up. It is the student's responsibility to pick a lesson schedule when a new one is made. Lessons schedules are also available on this website in PDF form. Follow the "Lesson Schedule" link on the left side of the page.
Q: What is the home practice policy?
A: Students are expected to practice 80-90 minutes per week at home. Students are given assignments after every lesson that they are expected to work on at home before the next lesson. Students are also given practice charts at the beginning of each quarter. The practice charts are to be filled in by the student and initialed by the parent each week. Even though the practice charts are not due to be turned in until the end of the quarter, I will check practice minutes several times per quarter and record down minutes. So it is important to keep practice charts up to date!!!
Q: How does full band work?
A: Students who play woodwind, brass, and percussion will meet a third time a week for full band. 5th grade intermediate students start full band in mid-October and meet every week until the spring concert, except for early January and late February/early March. Full band time is used to prepare for the winter concert, the Westminster Region Side-By-Side concert, and the spring concert. 4th grade beginning students will start full band right after Thanksgiving break in order to prepare for the winter concert, and then won't have full band again until February when they begin to prepare for the spring concert. Full band is pulled out during specials time so students don't miss academic class time! String students do not have full band, but may have extra rehearsals scheduled prior to concert times, especially in the spring if 4th and 5th grade orchestras are combined.
Q: My child is in 5th grade, but did not play an instrument in 4th grade. Can he/she play an instrument starting in 5th grade?
A: YES!!! 5th grade beginners will participate in 4th grade beginner lessons and will follow the 4th grade lesson and performance schedule. 5th grade beginners will join the 5th grade intermediate (2nd year) students for one piece in the spring concert so they at least have an opportunity to play with their own classmates. However, the extra emphasis on basic technique in the 4th grade level lessons actually will make the transition to 6th grade band/orchestra a little smoother.
Q: Can my child switch instruments?
A: 99% of the time, the answer to this is no. Students ask every year if they can play a new instrument the next year. I almost always say no to this because that means that they would have to learn a whole new technique. The curriculum is designed so that 5th grade lessons build upon what was taught in 4th grade to adequately prepare students for middle and high school. The only exceptions usually involve related instruments on an as-needed basis for the ensemble, i.e. clarinet to bass clarinet, alto saxophone to tenor saxophone, etc. This is done upon my recommendation. But in the vast majority of cases, students play the same instrument from beginning to end. (Don't be the Jack of all trades and master of none.)
Q: How many performances are there each year?
A: All students will have a day and evening winter concert in December and a day and evening spring concert in May. In addition, 5th grade intermediate students participate in the Westminster Region Side By Side Concert in February. There are sometimes other performances added throughout the year that might involve individual lesson groups or 5th grade students. These vary from year to year.
Q: Is there a concert dress code for students?
A: There IS a dress requirement for the evening December and May concerts. Performers are to wear a white button or polo shirt, black pants or skirt at least knee length of longer, and dark shoes. Ties are optional. This dress code also applies to the Side By Side Concert for 5th graders. There is no dress requirement for daytime concerts.