You play a vital role in your child's instrumental music education.  Your involvement can often mean the difference between success and failure.  We hope this will provide you with important information you can use to help your child succeed in instrumental music. 
     Music is an art and is just as important to your child's development as his/her academic subjects.  Although playing an instrument is fun, it isn't only for fun.  The arts play a large part in the lives of human beings and add much to the quality of life.
     Band is not an extra-curricular activity; it is an elective course in the study of music. This makes it similar to Physics or foreign language in the high school.  As such, students not only learn to prepare music for performance, but also learn more about music, composers, form, styles, etc.  Students have homework (practicing), take tests (lessons), and receive grades just as they would in any other subject.
     Practicing is the most important aspect of studying an instrument. Essentially, this course is very much like an independent study course.  Most of the progress and work take place at home, and then these skills are put to use in band.  Students should be practicing on a regular basis.   At the middle school level, we know students are busy and may not be able to practice every night, however they should try to organize their schedule in such a way that they can put in a minimum of 3 hours of practice between lessons.  That may sound like a lot, but it averages out to about 22 minutes a night.  Students should try to practice as many days as possible.  Those who are involved in sports and other activities will probably have to do a fair amount of practice on the weekends.
     Setting high standards is an important prerequisite for success.  Great musicians are never satisfied until something is perfect.  "Quality not quantity" is the best advice for practice.  Repetition of isolated spots, efficient use of time, and practicing exactly what was assigned can all help limit the amount of practice time needed to be well prepared for lessons.
     Many students are not self-motivated to practice.  This is not at all unusual and tends to be the rule rather than the exception.  Don't assume that they will automatically practice if they want to play an instrument.  Let's face it- practicing is not always fun; it is hard work.  It as also necessary, because the reward in playing an instrument comes from feeling proud of ones own playing and seeing the progress one makes.  Most students need to be reminded, prodded, and encouraged to practice.  Setting up a schedule of regular practice and trying to stick to it can make practicing more of a daily routine, rather than an unpleasant task.  Treat it as you would any other homework.  It is not optional.
     Attendance at lessons is mandatory and vitally important to your child's progress.  If a student misses a lesson for any reason it must be made up.  Your child only receives seven or eight lessons each marking period, so each one represents more than a weeks worth of work during a marking period.  Make-up lessons are, at best, a poor substitute for the regular lesson.
     Students receive a grade for each lesson.  A numerical grade is given on the report card which is a rough average of the lessons combined with a consideration of the amount of material covered during the marking period, responsibility about attending and making up lessons, responsibility about bringing needed materials to lessons and band, as well preparation, performance and deportment in band.  Most students who are responsible and well prepared are capable of receiving grades in the 90's in band.  As in any subject, some students posses a natural aptitude for it while others do not.  Those who find playing an instrument very difficult, may not be capable of an 80 in this subject.  However, low marks in band are usually a result of irresponsibility in attendance, making up lessons, or practicing.
     Interest in playing an instrument often comes and goes.  A lack of progress, even a bad day or a bad lesson can cause a loss of interest and a desire to quit.  Probably every student talks of quitting at some time or another.  This is often a temporary desire.  Instead of allowing your child to quit immediately, agree to discuss it with him/her again after the next concert.  Not only is it a band members obligation to "see it through" until the performance, but the concert may revitalize his/her interest.  In addition, it will give you time to determine if this is a temporary loss of interest.  We are often the last to know if a student is contemplating quitting, so it is important to notify us of this.  We can then work together to solve the problem before it is too late.  Also, keep in mind that despite the best intentions, students rarely return to playing an instrument once they quit.
     There are times, unfortunately, when discontinuing playing is the right thing to do; playing an instrument is not for every person.  Please contact us and discuss any such decision before you make it, and please make sure that you give it time and serious thought.
     Creating a successful musician depends on a cooperative relationship among student, teacher, and parent.  Please call us if you have any questions or concerns and keep us informed of any problems your child is having regarding instrumental music.
    
                                   Sincerely,
                                   Bruce D. Abrams
                                   Karen E. Fraleigh