ORCHESTRA
WILL
ROCK
YOU!!
A SPECIAL
INVITATION TO
FOURTH GRADERS
Dear Parents/Guardians:
August begins our annual enrollment for new students in the
instrumental music program. Because your child has expressed
an interest in a stringed instrument (Violin, Viola, or Cello), I am
sending you this special invitation to enroll him/her in our school
orchestra program!!
The Mesa Public Schools offer FREE instruction on stringed instruments in grades 4-12. Students begin the study of a stringed
instrument in the 4th grade. The lessons are scheduled twice a week
for thirty (30) minutes during the regular school day. Due to the
structure of our “pull-out” schedule, 4th grade is the only realistic
opportunity to begin instruction on a stringed instrument. Orchestra
students are responsible for making up any school material missed
while attending orchestra class. However, due to the popularity
of Brinton’s orchestra program, very few students remain in their
homeroom while their peers attend an orchestra lesson. Virtually no
new content will be introduced in homerooms while students attend
the two 30 minute weekly orchestra classes. Carefully monitored
studies have found that the academic progress of orchestra students
missing a small amount of regular class instruction is not significantly
effected as measured by standardized tests, such as the AzMerit. In
fact, the added stimulation of the orchestra classes often improves
academic success as well as self-esteem. Other educational research
has indicated a correlation between the length of time enrolled in a
music program and high school SAT scores.
Instruments are readily available on rental plans at most of the music
stores in our area. When you go to rent the instrument, take your
child along in order to obtain the correct size instrument. Also, keep
in mind that the student’s success often depends on the quality of
their instrument. There are many instruments that are advertised as
being “quality” that are well below standards set by music educators,
Mesa Public School string teachers are familiar with several brands
that have proven to be of predictable and reliable quality. These
brands are: GLAESEL, KNILLING, LEWIS, MEISEL, PFRETSCHNER,
ROTH and SCHROETTER.
There are certain accessories that will greatly accelerate your child’s
progress. Some of these may be furnished with the instrument upon
rental or purchase or they may be purchased at the same time.
These accessories include:
• Instrument Outfit (Instrument, bow, case, rosin and cleaning
supplies)
• A book, Concert Tunes, book one by Dale Brubaker (Be sure to
get the correct book for your child’s instrument)
• A folding wire music stand for home practice (not needed for
school lessons, but highly recommended for home use)
Learning to play a stringed instrument and belonging to the school
orchestra opens a whole new world of friendship and fun. It develops a team spirit that doesn’t depend on physical size or ability.
Most parents feel it involves their children in a group activity that
attracts children who strive for lofty, yet obtainable goals. Players
can take advantage of community orchestras and make music a life
time avocation. As with any course of study, individual effort on
the part of the student is essential. I encourage each student to set
aside some time each day for home practice.
If you would like to give your child this opportunity, please fill out
the enclosed form and return it to school. Please feel free to contact
me at any time if you need more information. I am happy to help!!
Cordially,
Lew Felton, Orchestra Teacher
Brinton Elementary School Phone: 480-472-4975
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.mpsaz.org/brinton/staff/lmfelton
SCHOOL-OWNED INSTRUMENTS
The Mesa Unified School District purchases musical instruments
to loan students participating in the instrumental music programs
at every Mesa school. Brinton has an inventory of all four string
instruments taught. These instruments includes violins, violas,
cellos and basses. The instruments are purchased in order to insure
a balanced string orchestra. This avoids the “all violin” orchestras
seen in other areas around the country. A balanced string orchestra
includes competent players on ALL of the four stringed instruments.
At the beginning of each school year, the school instruments are
checked out to successful returning students FIRST. Second and third
year players who have used school instruments SUCCESSFULLY in
the past are permitted to check out instruments before any beginners.
Any instruments not checked out by returning students are available
to beginners. If the number of requests for school instruments does
not exceed the number of instruments available, then we have NO
PROBLEM!! Unfortunately, this rarely occurs. Usually the number
of requests far exceed the number of available instruments.
The District has determined that the best musicians are often the
most successful students in other academic subjects, such as math
and reading. With this philosophy and the desire to encourage
competent players on all four stringed instruments, students desiring
school instruments are placed on a list ranking them in order based
on classroom performance in the previous school year. The school
instruments are loaned to students based on their position on this list.
This procedure usually occurs by the third lesson of the beginning
year. Students qualifying for a school instrument will receive a loan
form and will be allowed to take the instrument home after returning
the completed loan form. Students not receiving school-owned are
encouraged to participate in our school orchestra with an instrument
rented from one of the many East Valley music stores.
Mesa Public Schools
A Proud Tradition.
A Great Future