Author: SASD

Souderton Area School District
Instrumental Music Program

Please return lease and/or
student information forms
by Friday, June 1, 2012!
Thank You!

Dear Parents,
It’s finally here! Your child is entering fourth or fifth grade in the Souderton Area School District. That means that he/she is now able to choose which band and/or string instrument that he/she would like to play next year!
This week your child attended an assembly that described the Souderton Area School District’s band and strings programs. This was an opportunity for the children to learn about the instruments of these ensembles, discover how these instruments make music, and how they can learn to play a musical instrument. Lessons for beginning musicians are being provided on the following instruments: Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone, and Percussion.
Although your child may have one particular instrument in mind, we would like to encourage students to provide three choices in order of preference. As you are entering these choices on the student information sheet, please choose at least one band and one string instrument. Most students are able to start lessons with their first choice. However, with scheduling and balanced instrumentation in mind, you may be contacted if your band or strings director is interested in talking to you about your second or third choices. Every position on a baseball diamond is critical for team success. The same is true in the band and orchestra. The success of the elementary, as well as future middle and high school instrumental groups, relies on well-balanced instrumentation from the start.
*One of our goals is to encourage the low pitched instruments, particularly the trombone, baritone, and cello.
Included in this packet you will find:
1. Student information sheet (filled out completely including e-mail and three instrument choices).
2. Information for on-line and/or access to a physical rental forms for DeVoes Music and Zeswitz Music.
(Both stores offer trial periods for renting their instruments and they each visit to your child’s school.)
(Zeswitz offers an instrument lease to purchase program,. DeVoes offers an instrument rental program.)
Here’s what you need to do:
1. Please complete the student data sheet.
2. Choose a vendor/music store (purchasing and instrument on-line without the guidance of your music teacher is not recommended. A deal “too good to be true”— often is not worth it)
3. Complete the on-line rental agreement or download the physical rental form the web site of your child’s music
teacher. Pay on-line or mail directly to the store.
4. Remember to order the book for your child; he/she must have it for lessons to begin.
- Percussion - (2 books) - Alfred Drum Method Book 1 by Sandy Feldstein and Dave Black
A Fresh Approach to Mallet Percussion by Mark Wessels
- All other Instruments - Essential Elements 2000 (for your child’s chosen instrument)
5. Return the student information sheet to your child’s band/orchestra teacher.
You may decide to borrow a friends or family member’s instrument for your child to use. The playing condition of
the instrument should be checked by your child’s music teacher or a qualified music store. Please be sure to order the necessary book(s) for your child.
We want every child to have the opportunity to be a part of the instrumental music program. If it appears your family will have difficulty obtaining an instrument, contact your school’s music teacher or indicate on the student data sheet for the teacher to contact you. There are different options and arrangements that can be made to meet your child’s specific needs.
Having students sign up in the spring allows lessons to begin sooner in the fall. The vendors will have your child’s instrument and book waiting for him/her when school begins in August. Lessons usually begin in the second full week of school. Schedules and additional parent information will be sent home at that time as well. Payment will be required to accompany the lease forms so the stores may process the instruments.
Mr. Pongras Mr. Helmer Mrs. Gerhart Mr. McGinnis
Lower Salford E.M.C. Salford Hills Lower Salford
Oak Ridge Franconia
Vernfield West Broad
rpongras@soudertonsd.org bhelmer@soudertonsd.org dgerhart@soudertonsd.org tmcginnis@soudertonsd.org
Home - 610-608-6749 Home - 610-473-2188 Home - 267-255-1196
https://sites.google.com/site/ http://helmerbandroom.weebly.com
mrpongrasbandclassroom/home