Summer Music has 2 sessions. Beginner classes are offered at
various times between 8:00 - 10:00, and Advanced classes
are offered at various times between 10:00 - 12:00.
Summer Music - Beginners is for beginners, and those
students wishing to learn a new instrument.
Summer Music - Advanced is for students who already
play an instrument.
Summer Music - Advanced PLUS is for older students who
also want to learn a new instrument. (This is both of the above
sessions combined.)
Summer Music will begin on Monday, June 30th.
The Concert is on Wednesday, July 30st, and Fun Day is
Thursday, July 31st. Summer Music will be held at Wallace
Middle School.
Parks & Rec Brochure - Click here to download
the entire Parks& Recreation's Summer 2014 Brochure.
Print Page 2 for the Parks & Rec
Registration Form.
Summer Music information is on Page 15.
Summer Music Registration Form - Click here to download.
***IMPORTANT - You MUST fill this form out, too!
Summer Music Schedule & Expectations - Click here
to download
the schedule to see what time your child
will attend Summer Music.
Summer Music Flyer - Click here
to download and print the Flyer.
If your child is going to Summer Music, PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!
Click on a topic, or scroll down to read everything:
What is Summer Music?
Which Summer Music should my child join? Beginner or Advanced?
Can you explain Summer Music - Beginner a bit more?
Can you explain Summer Music - Advanced a bit more?
What is Summer Music - Advanced PLUS, and who should take this?
Parents - please pay close attention to the next question:
How long does my child stay at Summer Music each day?
What instrument can I take if I am a beginner?
What if my family is going away for vacation?
Are there lessons for older students?
When is the concert, and what are Kickball Day and Fun Day?
I am a beginner, and I am still not sure which instrument to
play. How can I get help deciding?
How do I get an instrument for my child?
How do I sign up?
Will there be Summer Music T-Shirts this year?
Will I need to buy anything else?
Where is Summer Music being held this year?
What if I still have more questions?
What is Summer Music?
Summer Music is a place where kids can go to learn
and
play a musical instrument.
You will learn how to play a new instrument,
OR you can play in a band or orchestra right away
if you already know how to play an instrument!
There are also many other fun things that
happen, such as Kickball Day, Fun Day, and
you
get to play
in a concert!
Summer Music is a TON OF FUN!
Back to topWhich Summer Music should my child join? Beginner or Advanced?
Anyone who is entering 4th grade or higher in
the fall
is welcome to join Summer Music.
Anyone wanting to learn a NEW instrument should
join Summer Music - Beginner.
Anyone who already knows how to play an instrument
should join Summer Music - Advanced.
Can you explain Summer Music - Beginner a bit more?
Summer Music - Beginner is for LEARNING how to play
an instrument. Students who are entering 4th grade in
the fall can get
a "head start" on learning their instrument.
Older students who already play an instrument can also
join Summer Music - Beginner if they want to learn a
NEW instrument.
They should read the section about
"Summer Music - Advanced PLUS".
Summer Music - Beginner lessons take place at varioius
times from
8:00 - 10:00.
There are beginning
instrumental
lessons for Band & Orchestra instruments.
Beginning Band starts on Week 3 of Summer Music, and
Beginning Orchestra
starts on Week 2.
During the first 2 weeks, while students are still learning
the basics of their new instruments, students are invited
to a class called "Music FUNdamentals".
Music FUNdamentals is a class geared towards students
who are entering 4th grade in the fall and will cover topics
such
as Rhythm Counting, Music Reading, and other
music concepts.
This class is open to anyone in Summer Music Summer Music - Beginner.
If you are an older student who
still could a refresher on
music concepts, you may join
this class. It is highly
recommended for anyone just starting
an instrument.
It will be FUN!
Can you explain Summer Music - Advanced a bit more?
Simple version:
I have played my instrument 1 year: You should be in the
Concert Band or Intermediate Orchestra.
I have played my instrument 2 years: You should ask your
music teacher if you should be in Concert or Symphonic Band,
or the Intermediate or Advanced Orchestra. Truly advanced players
might even qualify for Jazz Band or Advanced Woodwind Ensemble.
I have played my instrument 3 years or more: You should be in
the Symphonic Band or Advanced Orchestra. You also could join
the Jazz Band or Advanced Woodwind Ensemble.
That's the basics. Here is the "long" version for those who want to know more:
Summer Music - Advanced is for students who already know
how to play a musical instrument. Session 2 takes place
between 10:00 - 12:00.
Those students who have only played for 1 year will have
the option to take "Supplemental" group classes to help them
improve their skills and knowledge
on their instrument.
Any student in Session 2 who feels they need help on their
instrument is welcome to join these Supplemental classes.
***THE BEST part about being in Summer Music is in
being a part of one of our fine Bands or Orchestras!
Students who have played for 1 or 2 years can join our
Concert Band or Intermediate Orchestra. These students
will be playing REAL music starting on the FIRST DAY
of Summer Music!
Accomplished Orchestra students, (those who have played
at least 2 or 3 years), can join our Advanced Orchestra.
(Players with only 2 years of experience should ask their
music teacher if they would qualify for Advanced Orchestra.)
Band players who have played for at least 2 or 3 years
or more can join our Symphonic Band.
Our Jazz Band and Advanced Woodwind Ensemble are
reserved for our most accomplished Band players. Typically
for students who have played for at least 3 years,
but
check with your music teacher to see if you qualify
for
these top groups.
What is Summer Music - Advanced PLUS, and who should take this?
Summer Music - Advanced PLUS is for older students who
want to be in the Band or Orchestra AND they also want to
learn a new instrument.
Advanced students who wish to learn a new instrument should
take Summer Music - Advanced PLUS. They will be allowed
to take a new instrument
sometime between 8:00 - 10:00,
AND they will be a part of
their more advanced ensemble
groups between 10:00 - 12:00.
IMPORTANT: Older students wishing to take a new instrument
should not be joining ONLY Summer Music - Beginner. If they do,
they are
missing out on the most fun part of Summer Music! The
BANDS
and ORCHESTRAS in the late morning are the most fun
part of Summer
Music! Don't miss this!!!
Are older students allowed to join only Summer Music - Beginner
if they want?
Yes, but it is strongly discouraged. Again, these students
will be
missing out on the best part of Summer Music if they are not
part
of the fine Bands and Orchestras only found in Summer Music - Advanced.
How long does my child stay at Summer Music each day?
IMPORTANT: Your child should ONLY be at Summer Music during
the
times
they are in a lesson or in a performing group. Check the
schedule
to see the specific times for each lesson and group.
No student will ever wait longer than 1/2 hour
for their next
lesson
or group to begin. Any wait time must be spent with the
instructor!
There is nobody in the cafeteria to monitor students
this year!
Students that must wait 1/2 hour are strongly encouraged to bring along
a book to read or a quiet game.
To be extra clear, no student should be dropped off in the
morning and stay at Summer Music for the entire 2-hour session.
Click here to view the Summer Music Schedule.
What instrument can I take if I am a beginner?
Beginner instrumental lessons are offered on the following***:
Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, Saxophone, Trombone, Percussion,
Violin, Viola, Cello, & Bass.
***Contact Mr. Kemp if you are interested in beginner
Baritone Horn, or Oboe lessons. If there
is enough interest
in any of these instruments, beginner
lessons may be offered.
If you are unsure what to take, CLICK HERE for guidance.
Back to topWhat if my family is going away for vacation?
Our "rule of thumb" on vacations is this:
If a musician
misses ONE week of Summer Music,
it is NO PROBLEM!
When they come back, they can
easily catch up to the
other students.
If a musician misses TWO weeks of Summer Music,
it is
questionable as to whether or not it is worth paying
the money to sign up for Summer Music. Parents should
use their discretion.
Are there lessons for older students?
Supplemental Band & String lessons are offered for students
who
have only played for either 1 or 2 years. These lessons
are part of Session 2 Summer Music and are held at 10:00.
When is the concert, and what are Kickball Day and Fun Day?
The concert will take place Wednesday evening, July 30th
at 6:00 P.M. Everyone in Summer Music is invited to play
in the concert. The concert will be held at John Wallace Middle
School.
Every other Friday is Kickball Day. That would be July 11th,
and July 25th. The Beginner classes will run as usual, as would the
supplemental lessons at 10:00. At 10:30, however,
the performing groups are replaced by an "Everyone Plays"
Kickball Game! All beginner and advanced students are invited
to attend.
Fun Day is on Thursday, July 31st - the day after the concert.
There is an egg toss, the Championship Kickball game, a movie,
and a pizza party. (We do collect money from people who want
to eat the pizza. Everything else is free on Fun Day.)
I am a beginner, and I am still not sure which instrument to
play. How
can I get help deciding?
CLICK HERE to read some questions and answers
about choosing an instrument. Pay close attention to
Question #5 and click where it says "Orchestra" and
"Band" to learn about various instruments.
How do I get an instrument for my child?
If your elementary school child** signs up for summer music,
he
or she
might be able to rent an instrument from their
elementary
school. Please send a written note to your child's
music
teacher stating that your child has signed up for Summer
Music, and that you wish to rent a specific instrument.
**Middle School and High School String players may be
able
to rent their string instrument
from their middle or high school
music teacher. Check with
that teacher for availability. Some
Band instruments may
be available as well.
The fee is $20.00 for the summer rental, but do
NOT send
money with your
note, please. Your child's music
teacher
will send
home a rental form
if that instrument is available.
Elementary Schools have a limited number of the following:
Violin, Viola, Cello, and Bass for Orchestra.
Clarinet, Trumpet, Saxophone, Trombone,
and Baritone Horn for Band.
Sorry - no drum equipment, and very few flutes.
Another option is to go to a local music store and
rent the instrument. The benefit to this is that
your child will get a new instrument to use if it
comes from a music store. It does, however, cost
more money.
Here are just some local music stores:
Musical Expressions (formerly Berlin Music Center), Berlin: (860) 828-4886
Scott's Music Center, Wethersfield: (860) 529-3568
Please let Mr. Kemp know if you have other
reputable music stores that should be added
to this list. E-mail Mr. Kemp (Parents only!)
How do I sign up?
CLICK HERE to see and print the Summer Music flyer.
CLICK HERE to download the Summer Music Registration Form***.
You MUST fill out this form AND the Parks & Rec Form included
in the brochure on page 2.
CLICK HERE to see all of Parks & Rec's summer
offerings.
You can see Summer Music on page 15, and you can print
the Parks & Rec registration form
from page 2 of this brochure***.
***Parks & Rec registration forms AND the Summer Music
Registration Forms
should be mailed to
the Parks & Recreation
department at Newington's Town
Hall. Do not send registration
forms to your child's music
teacher.
Will there be Summer Music T-Shirts this year?
Yes. Summer Music T-Shirts are available for a cost of $6.
You will need to fill out a Summer Music T-Shirt Form by
Thursday, July 3th in order to receive one. That's the FIRST
Thursday of Summer Music! CLICK HERE for the form.
The $6 payment must accompany the Form - cash only, please.
Bring the Form and the $6 cash to any of the Summer Music staff.
Summer Music T-Shirt Forms will be available at Summer Music,
or CLICK HERE to print it yourself.
Will I need to buy anything else?
If you are taking a new instrument, you will need to buy a lesson book*.
The Summer Music staff will make these books available for
purchase to save you a trip to the music store, however, if you
wish to purchase the book ahead of time, here is the information
you need:
All BAND players, (Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, Saxophone,
Trombone,
and Percussion), will need the Standard of Excellence Book 1. (The RED book.)
This book will be available through the Summer Music staff for $8.
All ORCHESTRA players, (Violin, Viola, Cello, and Bass), will need the
Essential Elements 2000 Book 1. This book will be available through
the Summer Music staff for $9.
* There might be a small amount of used books that can be borrowed,
but parents should not count on this.
NEW: There will be other items for sale. Any item bought in Summer
Music is sold at cost or very near cost. Our goal is to provide some
important items for young musicians - not to profit from them.
Music Stands: These are the "wire" style folding music stands for
beginners. We have a limited number available at $13 per stand.
Click Here to see what the stand looks like.
Plastic Folders: These music folders made from plastic will last for a very
long time. The regular reinforced paper folders fall apart within months.
The plastic folders come from Staples and cost $2.00.
Click Here to see an example of the folders.
Reeds: Clarinet players and Saxophone players need reeds. It is
recommended
that all players have at least 3 or 4 new reeds handy.
Even if they are
careful, reeds still can get broken. Clarinet and Saxophone
reeds are available
for $1.50 each. (4 reeds for $6.00 would be recommended to start.)
Any money sent to Summer Music for purchases should be sent in an
envelope with your child's name clearly printed along with the item you
wish to purchase.
Where will Summer Music be held this year?
Summer Music will take place at John Wallace Middle School.
String lessons are held in the cafeteria, and band lessons
are held in either the Chorus room or Band room.
There may or may not be air conditioning where your
child takes their lesson. It is always best
to bring water
to be safe.
What if I still have more questions?
PARENTS ONLY may e-mail Mr. Kemp with questions.
CLICK HERE to e-mail Mr. Kemp with your computer's
e-mail program. The address is mrkemp@patersonmusic.net.
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