DEAR PARENTS, GUARDIANS, AND BAND
MEMBERS,
Welcome to Band in the Martin Area
Elementary Band Program! Below, please
find information essential to a smooth, fun-filled beginning. We are currently visiting all schools to meet
our band students, answer any questions, and get everyone organized!
CONTACTING THE TEACHERS
The
names of the three band teachers in your area are Mrs. Vanessa Strykiwsky, Mrs.
Robin Swann and Ms. Lindsay Stetner. We
travel between several different schools so sometimes communicating with one of
us can be a challenge. The best way to
reach us is through email:
Vanessa
Strykiwsky Robin Swann Lindsay Stetner
vanessa.strykiwsky@rbe.sk.ca robin.swann@rbe.sk.ca lindsay.stetner@rbe.sk.ca
GETTING AN INSTRUMENT
If
you are playing flute, clarinet, alto or tenor saxophone, trumpet, trombone or
percussion, please rent your instrument if you haven’t done so already. Remember, the two stores in Regina that rent
band instruments are St. John’s Music,
and Long & McQuade Music.
*****If you
are not able to rent an instrument through one of these stores because
of financial
reasons, an instrument can be provided for you.*****
Please send a note with
your child stating your need for
an instrument and we will
provide your student with one!
Bass
clarinets, baritone saxes, french horns, baritones and tubas are rented through
the Regina Board of Education and will be handed out at the Headstart Clinic
(September 19 at Martin Collegiate). The
fee for these instruments is $150 per school year and will be set up online.
METHOD BOOK
We
use the RED Standard of Excellence –
Book 1 throughout Grade 6 and into Grade 7. This book can be purchased from either St.
Johns Music, or Long & McQuade Music.
Please have this book for September 19, which is our HEADSTART CLINIC.
WHEN DO WE GET STARTED??
Sectionals – happen once per week
for 45 minutes, always on the same day of the school’s 5-day rotation (not
always the same day of the week), and we meet your child at his/her
school. This is referred to as a Sectional.
Full Band – This happens once per
week for 1 hour. Students travel by bus
to McLurg so that we can combine schools and rehearse as a whole band in an
appropriately sized and equipped room.
This is what we call Full Band.
The first day of sectionals is:
Walker September 11 (Day 1 AM)
McLurg September 13 afternoon (Day 3 PM)
Rosemont September 14 morning (Day 4 AM)
The first day of full band is September
26 (Day 2 from 9:30-10:30am) in the McLurg Band Room. Bus times are as follows:
Walker 9:15 am
Rosemont 9:20 am
WITH ONLY 2
TEACHING TIMES IN A WHOLE WEEK, ATTENDANCE WITH INSTRUMENTS AND MUSIC ON THE
CORRECT DAYS AND TIMES IS A
REQUIREMENT
FOR SUCCESS AND ENJOYMENT IN BAND.
HEADSTART CLINIC
Our
headstart clinic this year is on September 19 from 3:00-7:00PM at Martin
Collegiate. Please see our separate post with more information. It is
a requirement for beginning band students to attend this very important evening
of learning!
PARENTS
Anything
you can do to assist your child in remembering which days are “band days”,
including posting a school calendar at home, having them highlight a calendar,
gentle reminders the night before, putting the instrument by the door, will
help to ensure their progress and future success in band. Thank you!
We
will be notifying you throughout the year via email and notes to the students
of upcoming events such as concerts, festivals, trips, etc. If possible, please ensure we have your
current email address so you’re able to receive all information. If you find you are not receiving our emails,
please send a message to us and we will add you.
Joining
the band program is a wonderful opportunity.
We look forward to educating your children in a musical setting, and watching
them grow into young musicians!
Please
do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions, concerns, or feedback.
We
look forward to meeting and working with our new musicians very soon!
Vanessa
Strykiwsky, Robin Swann & Lindsay Stetner
Martin
Area Band Team
