September 2008

Dear Parents:   


The Elementary Instrumental Music Department is offering classes in violin, viola, cello, and string bass during the 2008-2009 school year.  Classes are 30 minutes in length and are held once a week during school hours. 

As a string player, a child is able to take advantage of music performance with orchestras at the elementary, junior high and high school levels. The opportunities for playing a string instrument after high school are abundant - university orchestras which offer generous scholarships to string players, community orchestras, chamber music groups, professional playing in metropolitan symphonies, and television and movie studio orchestras.

Beginning instruction is emphasized prior to 6th grade in order to allow students at least two years of instruction in preparation for junior high orchestra.

Beginning student enrollment forms are turned in at one of three parent meetings scheduled in September.  NO BEGINNING STUDENT WILL BE ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM UNLESS A PARENT OR PARENT DESIGNATE ATTENDS ONE OF THE MEETINGS LISTED ON THE REVERSE SIDE. Beginning enrollment forms will be supplied at the meetings.   At these meetings, the entire music program will be explained.  Meeting attendance is not required for parents of continuing students.

Beginning string students are required to attend parent meetings to be sized. 

Continuing students should return an enrollment form to their school offices no later than 8:30 A.M on September 12.

DO NOT RENT AN INSTRUMENT BEFORE THE MUSIC MEETING!  STUDENTS WILL BE SIZED BY A MUSIC INSTRUCTOR 30 MINUTES BEFORE OR AFTER EACH PARENT MEETING.
                                       
Beginning students who are interested in learning to play an instrument should bring their parents to one of the following meetings:

DATE	TIME	PLACE
Tuesday, September 9	7:30 p.m.	Strings at Patwin MPR
Wednesday, September 10	3:30 p.m.	Strings at Patwin MPR
Wednesday, September 10	7:30 p.m.	Strings at Patwin MPR
Thursday, September 11	7:30 p.m.	Strings at Patwin MPR

Fees or tuition are not required for participation in these classes; however, students must provide their own equipment and supplies as follows:

Instrument
Instruction book(s) (approximately $6.00)
      (continuers-please wait to purchase a book until AFTER the first class meeting.)

These expenses will be explained in detail at the meetings.

If your child will not be able to participate in the program without the use of a school instrument, please ask for a "Request to Use School Instrument Form" at the meeting and attach it to your child's enrollment form.  Priority is given to 4th grade beginners.  Parents who check out District-owned instruments will be financially responsible for any damages or loss to the instrument.

Parents will assume all liability of a "rented-owned" instrument should it be lost, stolen or damaged. 

Each music student will be expected to attend all weekly lessons, practice on a regular basis, be responsible for any missed class assignments and attend all scheduled music performances.   If, at any time, you and your child decide it would be best to discontinue lessons, it will be necessary for you personally to inform the music teacher either in writing or by phone.  Please consult us before making such a decision.

In order to maintain effective and efficient district-wide teacher/parent communication, we invite you to sign up on the Elementary music list serv. Please go to http://www2.dcn.org/mailman/listinfo/elementary-music to add your email.

We look forward to a successful year.  Call us if you have any questions at 757-5300.  (See extension numbers listed below with names.)

Kimberly Cole kicole@djusd.k12.ca.us   (Ext. 271)

Sherie Wall swall@djusd.k12.ca.us (Ext. 272)

CLICK HERE for the 4th Grade Strings Welcome Letter

CLICK HERE for the 5th-6th Grade Strings Welcome Letter

CLICK HERE for the Schedule of the DJUSD Elementary Music Teachers