On time, every time, with all of your stuff!
FMS is for students in grades 4-12.
A note about 4th graders:
We offer lessons to students in Grades 4-12 (ages 9-18.) If your student is not yet 9, please:DO NOT SIGN THEM UP. Also, if we determine that your student is not quite ready for our class, we reserve the right to ask you to wait until next year to sign them up so that they will be successful.
Our class times and levels:
Beginning 4-4:30pm: for most 4th-6th graders
Students in grades 4-6 will start on recorder (older students will start directly on band instruments.). Once our recorder students understand the basics of how notes and beats/rhythms work-- and can manipulate their fingers and breathing on a wind instrument--they will advance to the intermediate class and will be able to play a band instrument.
Please note -- piano experience does not necessarily translate to wind band instruments. It helps, but does not qualify younger students to join advanced classes.
If a student is excelling at a rapid pace, they might be moved earlier to a higher class. Some students will remain in the beginning class for extra help until they can master the basic skills. The music mentors will let the students and parents know when the student is ready to advance. Please do not contact us to ask if your student should be in a higher class -- we know!!!
Intermediate 1 : 4:30-5pm
Intermediate 1 is for students who are just starting out on their band instrument. Here, they will learn how to put together and play their instruments and learn to read, count and play their first 5-8 notes. Older students will start in this class.
Intermediate 2: 5-5:30pm
Intermediate 2 is for band students who can read and play sheet music without a lot of instruction. They can play more advanced rhythms and a wider range of notes. For example, they can easily play dotted quarter notes, pick-up notes and advanced rhythms. They can play a variety of key signatures and tempos. This class will play well-know songs at an easier level than Advanced, preparing them for the next level. Some students will be invited to attend both the intermediate 2 and advanced class for more playing experience.
Advanced Band 5:30-6pm.
Advanced Band is for students who can read and play music similar to what is taught in public schools in grades 8-12. Quite simply, it's fun to play together! (Who wants to play alone? no one!)
Students who can already read and play music at this level on their instrument are welcome to join our program at any time throughout the school year. Invite your Band friends! Please contact us to join: freemusicschool@yahoo.com so that we can have music ready for you!
Additional Program Details
WE DO NOT TEACH GUITAR, DRUMS, VIOlIN or PIANO! Students need to be at least 9 years old to attend our program!
We will discuss the supplies needed at the mandatory orientation session on Friday, September 6th at 4pm. You do not need to have any supplies for this first meeting. Both students and parents/caregivers will need to attend this registration/orientation session where we will talk about the rules/expectations, give demonstrations for the various instruments and a tour of the teaching area and class procedures.
Our curriculum is similar to that taught in public school music programs for grades 4-9. Our beginning classes are for true beginners. Our intermediate music is approximately at the middle-school level and our advanced program is in the early high school level. We love to work with beginners and introduce them to the joy and fun of playing music as a team.
About 1/2 of our program is for beginning students, and the other 1/2 is for students who love to come and play at FMS. Many of our middle school students attend for extra rehearsal time. All of our students enjoy our low-pressure, group atmosphere. It's fun. We want to share music with each other -- that's why we're all here, both students and mentors alike. Please contact us for more information. Also, ALL participants must fill out the registration form , agree to follow all of our rules and check-in with Mrs.Love as we need to know who is with us :) Thank you!
If you have questions before the registration day, please feel free to email me at:
Supplies Needed
"All of your Supplies"
Please see our home page for pictures of the basic supplies every student needs: instrument, stand and book (intermediate/advanced only). Beginners will need a recorder and portable music stand -- we will supply the music for recorder students.
Instruments
Due to generous donations, we have enough high-quality, used (sanitized) instruments for all students to borrow. But, if we run low on any one type of instrument (for example, if EVERYONE wants to play the clarinet) they may have to start on their second choice and transfer to their first choice the following year.
If you would like to rent a musical instrument from a music store, I love Music Village, but you can also rent from the Starving Musician or other local music store. Rental fees should be about $30/month. Please purchase the insurance plan and the care kit. Music Village offers a "rent to own" program and the other stores may do so as well.
Please DO NOT buy a musical instrument off of Amazon unless you plan on paying over $600 for it. Anything in the $100-$300 range is junk and will fall apart.
Also, please do not purchase an instrument for your student until after they have played for 2-3 years and shown some commitment. Many students will decide to change instruments after the first year (I did!), so we don't want to put pressure on them to stick to one instrument.
Pencil
Every musician needs a pencil, ready to go. We write notes on our notes :) Students should circle the goals for the week and the exercises we are working on. They will also need to note the songs that we are working on for the concert.
Accessories
Clarinet and Saxophone students will need to purchase "reeds", at lease 3-5 but the 10-pack is a good buy. They should each last between 1-3 weeks, although some beginners go through a few as they are learning not to touch or chew on them.
All beginners should purchase size "2" hardness.
Sizes go up after about 6 months of playing, so in the , older beginners will need a size 2 1/2, then maybe a 3. Reeds become more difficult to play as they number goes up, but they also allow for a larger range of notes. Beginners should never play on a size 3 as it will be almost impossible for them to make a pleasant sound with it.
Reeds can mold and should not be left on instruments, but returned to their plastic case after each practice session. Once reeds break, chip or fray, they should be thrown away.