First Year Instrumentalists


2007-2008 First Year Instrumentalist Music Calendar

September 17 (Monday), 7:00pm, Beginning Band Parents Meeting @ Lincolnway Gym

March 6 (Thursday), 3:30-5:00pm, Beginning Band Rehearsal @ Lincolnway Gym

March 13 (Thursday), 3:30-5:00pm, Beginning Band Rehearsal @ Lincolnway Gym

March 20 (Thursday), 3:30-5:00pm, Beginning Band Rehearsal @ Lincolnway Gym

March 27 (Thursday), 3:30-5:00pm, Beginning Band Rehearsal @ Lincolnway Gym

April 3 (Thursday), 3:30-5:00pm, Beginning Band Rehearsal @ Lincolnway Gym

April 10 (Thursday), 3:30-5:00pm, Beginning Band Rehearsal @ Lincolnway Gym

April 17 (Thursday), 3:30-5:00pm, Beginning Band Rehearsal @ Lincolnway Gym

April 24 (Thursday), 3:30-5:00pm, Beginning Band Rehearsal @ Lincolnway Gym

May 1 (Thursday), 6:30pm, Elementary Bands Spring Concert @ High School Auditorium

June 2 (Monday), 3:30-7:00pm, Elementary Bands Party @ Lincolnway Pool (rain date June 3)

Instrument Class & Practice Information

  1. Group instrument classes will be given once every six day cycle, for 30 minutes. Students are expected to bring their instrument, lesson book, band music, Home Practice Journal and pencil to each class.
  2. Students should arrive exactly at the scheduled class time.
  3. All students are expected to practice a minimum of 15 minutes per day and at least 100 minutes per week. More practice time is better! Less practice time may result in frustration, and a lack of success and enjoyment.
  4. Students should record the number of minutes practiced each day, IN INK, on the Home Practice Journal. A Parent’s Signature is required to verify the amount of practice time.
  5. Students should place music on a music stand. This promotes good posture and proper breathing.
  6. Students should attend all scheduled classes, even if they forget to bring their instrument to school.
  7. Snow/Emergency Days: If school is closed, the class will be made up the next day. Classes missed due to a delay or early dismissal will not be made up.
  8. Strikes: Students can earn strikes with inappropriate behavior, by forgetting an instrument or music, or an unexcused absence. All strikes are reported to the classroom teacher and added to the daily total.

Beginning Band Information

  1. Starting in March, Beginning Band rehearsals are held after school, 3:30-5:00pm, in the Lincolnway Gym. Trimmer students are bused to Lincolnway at 3:15pm. Parents will need to provide transportation home from Lincolnway at 5:00pm (2625 West Philadelphia Street).
  2. The Beginning Band performs in the Spring Concert in May.
  3. All first year instrumental students are placed into Beginning Band.
  4. All beginning band members must participate in the scheduled rehearsals and concert. Absences will be excused only in cases of illness or family emergency. Following any absence, students should submit a note, signed by a parent, indicating the student's name, date and reason for the absence.
  5. Students should bring their instrument to school for classes and band, in order to maintain membership in beginning band. Membership eligibility will be periodically evaluated.
  6. Students should have a pencil in their band folders, at all times.
  7. Students are encouraged to bring water bottles to all rehearsals.
  8. Students may not use the restroom during rehearsal, unless it is an emergency. Students should use the restroom before coming to band.
  9. All instruments should be assembled in the gym, prior to the start of rehearsals. Instrument cases should not be on the stage.
  10. Students must successfully complete Beginning Band, in order to be promoted to Concert Band in fifth grade.
  11. Strikes: Students can earn strikes with inappropriate behavior, by forgetting an instrument or music, or an unexcused absence. All strikes are reported to the classroom teacher and added to the daily total. Excessive strikes may result in temporary or permanent removal from Beginning Band.
  12. Performance attire for boys: black/dark dress pants, white shirt with collar, tie
  13. Performance attire for girls: black/dark long skirt or pants, white blouse/shirt; or a black/dark dress

Parent Responsibilities

  1. Show an interest in your child’s progress, by listening to his or her assignment at least once a week (regardless of your music background).
  2. Attend your child’s concert. This is a positive way to show your support.
  3. Help your child to establish a practice schedule.
  4. Provide a practice area where your child will not be disturbed.
  5. Communicate any concerns with Mr. Love.
  6. Be generous with praise and encouragement.
  7. Keep musical instruments away from heaters, small children, pets, etc. Do not leave musical instruments in a hot car.
  8. Help your child to remember his or her instrument, when needed for school.
  9. Provide your child with the required instrument accessories and music, including: reeds, valve oil, sticks, mallets, lesson books, etc. These supplies may be purchased at a music store or at school.

Responsibility Points

  1. Any student who remembers ALL of the following on an instrument class day, will earn 1 point: instrument, lesson book, band music, Home Practice Journal, practice times written on the Home Practice Journal (minimum of 100 minutes per cycle), parent signature on the Home Practice Journal, on-time for instrument class, pencil.
  2. Responsibility points are sometimes awarded for other reasons, as determined by Mr. Love.
  3. Points are accumulated through one school year. All points are reset to zero at the beginning of the next school year.

Responsibility Point Rewards (subject to availability)

5 point reward (choose one): one Jolly Rancher, or deduct one strike

10 point reward (choose one): music sticker, one Jolly Rancher, or deduct one strike

15 point reward (choose one): one Jolly Rancher, or deduct one strike

20 point reward (choose one): music pencil, music eraser, music pen, music note pad, reed, two Jolly Ranchers, or deduct two strikes

25 point reward (choose one): two Jolly Ranchers, or deduct two strikes

30 point reward (choose one): water bottle, music pencil, music eraser, music pen, music note pad, reed, valve oil, cork grease, instrument pin, three Jolly Ranchers, or deduct three strikes

Highest points award (one student per building): gift card to the store of your choice

Pool Party

The pool party is held at the Lincolnway Pool in June. Students must participate in the Spring Concert, in order to be eligible to attend. Pizza, chips and soda are provided. Directions and additional information will be provided in May.

Instrument Repairs

If your instrument is in need of repair, contact Mr. Love. If he cannot repair it, you may leave your instrument at school for a music store to pick it up. Menchey Music Service stops at West York every Tuesday. You may also take the instrument directly to a repair facility. Many repairs are covered under your instrument rental contract, contact the music store for details. If you own your instrument, you will be responsible for the cost of the repair.

School-owned instruments must be repaired through Mr. Love. If the damage to a school-owned is the result of abuse, the parent(s) will be responsible for the cost of the repair, as per the signed instrument contract.

Instrument Supplies

Instrument supplies such as reeds, cork grease, valve oil, polishing cloths, method books, maintenance items, etc. can be ordered through school. Please make checks payable to "Menchey Music Service" (cash is also accepted). Supplies are also available at local music stores, including Menchey Music, Hershey Percussion, etc.

Web Site

The West York Elementary Instrumental Music Web Site includes the following: Important Information and Events, Local Weather, Information for First & Second Year Instrumentalists, Instrument Care, Printable Items (Cycle Day Calendar, Home Practice Journal), Student Leaders, Link to E-mail Mr. Love and Music Site Links.

The web site address is: westyorkband.org

Instrumental Music Booster Club

The Instrumental Music Booster Club financially supports the elementary band program. Meetings are held Monday evenings at 7:00pm in the West York High School band room. The meeting dates for the 2007-2008 school year are as follows: September 10, November 12, February 11, April 28.

Questions or Concerns

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mr. Love by e-mail, if possible: jelove@wyasd.k12.pa.us

If you need to reach Mr. Love by phone, please call either Lincolnway (717) 792-3902 extension 8019, or Trimmer (717) 764-6586 extension 8019. All phone calls go directly to voice mail, as per district policy. Mr. Love will return your call as soon as possible.