St. Ambrose School Band
Instructor: Ms. Patty Fusco

Welcome to all new & returning band members and their parents! At St. Ambrose School, students in 3rd through 8th grade are eligible to join the school band and take music lessons.  Half hour small group lessons are given during school once a week.  Band practice is Mondays after school. Band is offered by Ms. Fusco through the Paul Effman Music Service www.pauleffmanmusic.com.  Registration forms were sent home with students and are also available at the school office.

• Program Structure: Band Program is available to students in Grades 3-8 with or without experience.
  
  Fees:
  1 child - $43 per month, 8 Tuition installments Oct through May.
  2 children - $78 per month, 8 Tuition installments Oct through May.
  3 children - $86 per month, 8 Tuition installments Oct through May.
   

• Instruments: Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, Saxophone, Trombone, Bells, Drum
  Alto Saxophone: In order for a 3rd grader to play the saxophone he or she must be able to touch the 2 saxophones above with the thumb and pinky of his or her left hand. 3rd graders who choose saxophone must also include a second choice. The clarinet is recommended. We will select your 2nd choice if necessary and any rental credit will be applied to the band tuition.
  Trombone is not offered to 3rd graders.
  Piano and Strings not offered, but knowledge of them is a valuable head start in learning a band instrument.
  Choice for Drummers: 1. Purchase Drum Pad and Sticks    2. Rent Snare Drum Kit     3. Purchase Snare Drum Kit
   

• Schedule: Each student will have a thirty-minute group lesson once a week. Lessons do not conflict with crucial academic time. Music times rotate each week so students are not taken from the same class.  Lessons are always rescheduled in the event of testing, critical review, etc.
   

• Supplies that must be brought to lessons each week:
  1. Instrument
  2. A 1/2 inch or 1 inch  3 ring, hard cover, binder (w/ pocket)
  3. Lesson book - music/ handouts
  4. Lesson schedule (with group number, date & times)
  5. Pencil (not pen)
   

• Practice schedule: Every student that has chosen to take lessons on an instrument has also made a commitment to practicing that instrument. This must be done every day just as homework must be done.
  
  Beginners - 20 minutes each day
  Returning students - at least 30 minutes each day
  
  Each week a lesson will be assigned to be heard the following week. Periodically each student will be tested on a particular section of music we have been working on (lesson and/or band music). Students will be expected to practice and to be prepared.
  
  Band rehearsals will be on Monday's from 3:00-4:00 p.m. Please keep in mind that you are responsible for providing transportation home for your child on band days.
  
   

                       Trombone ♪  Trumpet ♪  Flute ♪   Clarinet ♪   Saxophone ♪   Snare Drum  
 

Last Updated: 09/20/2007