Grade 5 Music Selection
Over the past two weeks, members of the Chenery Upper Elementary School music faculty visited each elementary school to speak with current 4th Graders about their options for music classes in Grade 5.
The Grade 5 Music curriculum at Chenery provides all students with their first large ensemble experience - Band, Chorus, or Orchestra. There is no option for classroom “general music” in Grade 5. This is a Try-It-Out year, where all 5th Graders participate in a performing ensemble.
Each ensemble includes FOUR classes per six-day cycle:
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Two class meetings are in smaller groups, focusing on technique development.
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Two classes are in large ensembles, making music together as a group.
There is NO PARTICIPATION FEE for Band, Chorus or Orchestra:
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There is a cost associated with renting or purchasing an instrument for participation in Band or Orchestra (see below).
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Scholarship Instruments are available at no cost for families who qualify for financial assistance (see below).
All instruction takes place DURING the school day:
What is the Difference Between Each Ensemble?
(Click the links to learn more about each ensemble and instrument)
Chorus (Singing)
Sara Carson, CUE Chorus Director
The Grade 5 Chorus is a vocal ensemble (singing) that focuses on developing good vocal technique, music literacy and ensemble skills. The chorus sings a wide variety of music, including contemporary pop music, as well as more traditional selections that reflect cultures from around the world. There is no Participation Fee required to enroll in the Grade 5 Chorus.
Orchestra (String Instruments)
Meg Dagon, CUE Orchestra Director
The Grade 5 Orchestra picks up where the Grade 4 String Program left off. Students who began studying the violin, viola, cello or bass in Grade 4 are strongly encouraged to continue playing their string instrument in the Grade 5 Orchestra. This program continues to build advancing technical skills on each instrument, and students will have the added experience of performing together in a large orchestra for the first time.
5th Graders are also welcome to start a string instrument as a beginner, or to switch to a new string instrument in fifth grade. Please contact Meg Dagon if you are interested in starting as a beginner string player this year.
*School-owned cello and bass instruments are available at CUE for use during the school day. However, all students must have their own instrument for practice at home.
Band (Woodwind, Brass and Percussion Instruments)
Jaclyn Viscardi, Joe Wright, CUE Band Directors
The Grade 5 Band is the beginning year of instruction for wind and percussion instruments. As part of this program students can choose to study one of the following instruments (click for short video demonstrations of each instrument):
*There is a limit to the number of percussionists we can accommodate. You may be contacted and asked to provide a second choice as an alternative.
Music Information Assembly Dates
Our music faculty met with students during school on the following dates to discuss each Grade 5 Music option and instrument choices. Talk with your students at home about which music experience seemed most interesting to them.
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April 24 - Burbank
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April 27 - Butler
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May 2 - Wellington
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May 5 - Winn Brook
Instrument Rental
If your student elects to participate in Band or Orchestra, you will need to rent or purchase an instrument for them to use. It is highly recommended that you RENT your instrument at first.
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Instrument rentals are Rent-to-Own
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Instrument rentals are interest-free
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All typical repairs and replacement are covered by an optional insurance plan for $6-10/month (recommended)
Our school district uses David French Music as our selected vendor for instrument rentals, but you are welcome to rent or purchase an instrument from anywhere you choose. David French Music is the only vendor who will deliver instruments directly to Chenery, and pick up/drop off instruments after repairs. You are not required to rent your instrument from David French Music. There are several other fine vendors in our area who you can rent or purchase from, but David French Music is the only vendor that will make weekly visits to our schools. If you choose to rent from another vendor you will need to pick up your instrument directly from their store and handle any future repairs in person.
Scholarship Instruments are available for families who qualify for financial assistance. Instructions on how to apply for a Scholarship Instrument are included in the registration form (below)
Once you have completed the Grade 5 Music Selection Form, you can visit the David French Music website to begin your rental agreement with them. Instruments will be delivered in September once school begins. If you choose to rent or purchase from another vendor, they will provide you with information about where and when to pick up your instrument.
Are There Any Supplemental Opportunities?
Saturday Morning Music School
Saturday Morning Music School (SMMS) has been a Belmont institution for 40+ years, providing supplemental music instruction to beginning instrumentalists and teaming them with professional music educators and mentors from Belmont High School. For the past several years, the Belmont Public Schools have partnered with our neighbors at Powers Music School to provide this incredible opportunity exclusively for Belmont students.
SMMS takes place on Saturday mornings at Chenery Middle School from October-April for a very low cost per student. Students who qualify for BPS Fee Waivers are eligible for the same waiver or reduction towards SMMS tuition. Use the link above to learn more about a Saturday Morning Music School.
Belmont High School Music Mentors
Belmont High School Music Mentors volunteer each year to work with the younger music students in our school program. Later this fall we will send you information about how you can enroll in the Music Mentors program, to pair your student up with a musical role-model to help them practice at home.
Belmont Scholars Program at Powers Music School
Private lessons with a professional music teacher are always a fantastic idea for students who are interested in more focused, individualized lessons on their instrument. There are a number of excellent teachers in our area, including those who teach at Powers Music School. Families who qualify for BPS Fee Waivers are also eligible to enroll in the Belmont Scholars Program at Powers, which provides them with free or reduced tuition on weekly private lessons. This is an amazing opportunity that Powers Music School has generously provided to Belmont students for the past several years, and one that we hope families will continue to take advantage of this year.
Make your Grade 5 Music Selection
Complete this form by May 30 to select your Grade 5 Music Ensemble.
Questions? E-mail Arto Asadoorian, Director of Visual & Performing Arts.