Klarinet Archive - Posting 000374.txt from 1996/02

From: Anne Vacca <AMVACCA@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Switching Instruments
Date: Tue, 13 Feb 1996 21:50:01 -0500

I'm not sure if any director would *force* a student to switch instruments.
If that happens, and the students were unhappy- I think that soon there
won't be any students left in the band.

One way to help start balanced instrumentation is during the beginning
recruitment. At times, I don't even show drums or saxes to the beginning
kids. I mean that kids will still play these instruments but if you spend
any amount of time with elementary aged kids many of the kids will wrute down
what ever their friend does. And if everyone wants to play sax- what are you
going to do?

When the kids are shown the instruments they are allowed to try out any of
the instruments in the room. (this BTW is a good way to find out what kids
have a good natural buzz). You can then help the child by saying how well
they did on a certain instrument and can also guide them to an instrument
that you believe that they may be better suited for.

The kids are then asked to write on a card their top three choices (Along
with parents name, address, ect). This is where the kids that really want to
play drums or sax will write it down.

Then the music teacher collects all of the cards and prepares a letter for
the parents. "Your child has expressed an intrest in beginning a musical
instrument...These are his/her choices...I would reccommend....(This is where
you can talk of forming a balanced group)" You usually have an instrument
night for the parents and music dealers who come in an go through the whole
rental/purchase plans with the parents.

The music teacher can then look at all of the cards and pick out an
instrumention that will work for your school. You also know what the
students want to play so then the kids are usually able to get their first or
second chioce. If you have school owned instruments- that will also
determine who plays what. Any child should be happy with the instruments
that they pick, if not, they can usually switch to another instrument. Of
course, when the parents purchase an instrument, they tend to stay with that
one.

So, usually in the beginning you can end up with a close to balanced group of
beginners who are playing instruments that they really want to play. This
process really isn't too complicated. It may help to solve some problems
down the road too. Now- if we could just keep all of the students in the
program through high school.....

Anne
AMVACCA@-----.com