Steps To Success

Selecting an instrument is the first step in the exciting journey of music enjoyment. Students joining the school orchestra can choose from violin, viola, cello, or string bass, while students joining the school band can usually choose from flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, or percussion. After learning some basic skills on these instruments, students may have the option to switch to other instruments.

Students and parents should take three things into consideration when choosing an instrument:

• What instrument(s) the student desires to play
• The student's physical make up
• The band's or orchestra's instrumental needs

After more than 30 years in music education, the staff of R.E.W. has found that students will be most successful in orchestra or band if they are playing the instrument they really want to play. However, sometimes a student is just not built to play a particular instrument. If this is the case, it is best to try another instrument.

Don't know what instrument you want to play? Check out our Band or Orchestra demonstratons!

Still not sure what you want to play? Schedule an appointment to have a trained and knowledgable R.E.W. staff member help you try some instruments to see which is the best fit for you!

Now that you've picked out an instrument, it's time to take one home. The easiest way to do this is through our simple Lease program. By renting, you are assuring that:

• Your child gets a quality instrument without spending a lot of money up front.
• Your child has the opportunity to try out the instrument and decide whether or not they really want to stick with it.
• You have the option to return the instrument any time.
• You ALWAYS have the option to buy the instrument.

Every instrument in our Lease Program comes with all the necessities to play, but there are other things you may want to consider purchasing:

• Required School Band or Orchestra Method Book
• Folding Music Stand for home practice
• Care Kit for keeping your instrument in the best condition possible

Why buy a care kit? While all of our lease instruments come with the basic necessities for playing the instrument, they do not come with the things needed to clean the instrument. Cleaning is a very important part of your student's success in music.

Although it may seem like a simple step, joining the school orchestra or band is a very important part to your child's musical success.

Joining these groups will:

• Help motivate your child to practice and become better
• Give your child the opportunity to make friends with similar interests

It is also exciting as a parent to watch the progression of your student's group from the first concert in elementary school to the high school concerts.

Let's face it - beginning band and orchestra do not have enough time at school for the director to make sure each student is getting a good foundation in proper technique. There are simply too many students and too little time!

• One director could have as many as 30 to 50 students
• One director has to teach 4 or 5 different instruments at once
• Most school districts only have beginning orchestra or band 30 minutes twice a week.

It seems like an impossible task. This would be like asking your child's teacher to instruct parts of Math, English, Science and Reading--all at the SAME time!

The directors do the best they can to get each student started right, but there simply isn't enough time. We're here to help! We have developed two ways to make sure your student is getting the right start:

• Free Getting Started Clinics
• Lesson Specials

In the Free Getting Started Clinics, we take all students of a like instrument (and their parents!) and go over the basics:

• Putting together your instrument
• Caring for your instrument
• Holding your instrument
• Achieving good sound from your instrument

Times and dates vary each year, however there are clinics offered for your student's instrumenton a variety of nights during the first few weeks of school. Call us for more information about times and sign up today!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR A CLINIC NOW!

Times fill fast so enroll today to reserve your seat! Don't forget to bring your instrument, care kit, and a parent!

Any band or orchestra director will tell you that students who enroll in private lessons and stick with them get a better foundation in music and their instrument and continue to excel in music throughout elementary, middle and high school.

There are numerous benefits to private lessons:

• Your student gets 30 minutes of one-on-one time with someone who specializes in that instrument (assuring that your student is learning good technique and music fundamentals).
• Your student will have the opportunity to gain musical experience outside of school orchestra or band.
• Most private teachers have recitals in which their students will play a solo or in a small ensemble. Students in school band or orchestra do not get the opportunity to do this until high school.
• Private teachers can help if a student gets behind in school band or orchestra, or they can supplement if the student gets ahead.
• Students in private lessons get help with practicing for tests.
• Private Lessons help students learn sooner to conquer the fear of playing in front of others.

At R.E.W., we think private lessons are so important that our staff and teachers have created the Lesson Special for the first time leasor. When you lease an instrument from R.E.W. and buy two lessons, you receive two more FREE.

Many parents don't sign up for private lessons because they say their child is receiving lessons at school. But the truth is, in beginning orchestras and bands usually meet for only 30 minutes a day, twice a week. That's 60 minutes, but take into consideration that there can be up to 50 students in the ensemble and only one director, leaving very little opportunity for individual time between your student and the director. Private lessons will guarantee your student will have weekly focused individual time with an instructor.

One of the best ways to help your student succeed in music is to simply schedule a time every day for your student to practice. Make it a part of homework time or require it be done before TV time every day.

Most teachers recommend beginners practice for 15 minutes 5 days a week and build from there. By the time your student is in middle school he/she should be practicing for at least 30 minutes 5 days a week. Practice time is directly related to how well your student will do in a school music program.

Learning music is like learning a new set of skills while also learning a new language. It takes a lot of practice to really learn everything. The time allotted in school for orchestra or band is simply not enough.

It is important to remember that your student's instrument needs to be kept clean and in good condition for your student's continued musical success. Each instrument has special care needs, which an R.E.W. staff member would be happy to go over with you at any time. (Cleaning and care information is taught in depth at the Getting Started Clinics)

Remember that in Band, your student is constantly blowing germs and warm moist air into their instrument - a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and mold and lots of other yummy things - and then putting the instrument back in their mouth the next time they play. It is important to keep the instrument clean, not only to keep the instrument in the best condition possible, but also to help keep your child healthy.

Private Lessons are the key to how far your student will go in music. Being in the school band or orchestra can only take a student so far. If your student really wants to excel and be at the top of the section, private lessons will help make that happen. Private lessons will also help your student prepare for district auditions as well as solo and small ensemble competitions offered in high school.