RESPECT for SELF, OTHERS

and the ENVIRONMENT

Superintendent:

Dr Gale Solomon-Henry

905.366.8800

Trustee:

NokhaDakroub

416.432.5508

Edenwood Middle School

6770 Edenwood Drive

Mississauga, ON L5N 3B2

t 905.824.1020

f 905.824.9987

Principal:

George Soultanidis

Vice-Principal

Raquel Walker

Office Manager/Assistant:

Carlene Charlton, Brenda Crowe

March 2016

Dear Parents/Guardians of Grade 6 Students:

We would like to extend a hello from the music program at Edenwood Middle School. We hope you agree that the arts are an important part of your child’s educational experience and is fundamental to a well-balanced education.

At Edenwood all students receive instruction in music 3 times in a 6 day cycle. Students have an option to participate either in a 2 year Instrumental Program or a 2 year Vocal/General Program.

Both our programs provide opportunities for musical excellence. All students receive rounded music instruction to develop an understanding of the basic elements of music through listening, performing and creating.

We recognize for many students that choose to participate in our instrumental program that this would be their first opportunity to play a band instrument. You will be amazed at how successful your child will be in a relatively short period of time. A rich music program not only provides opportunity for individual skill development, but doing so in a team environment where each person learns to work together can create something even more special than what your child can do on their own.

Edenwood Middle School has many ensembles offered to the instrumental music students. Those students who play a band instrument can join the Senior and Junior Concert Bands, the Jazz Band, the small ensembles and of course, the Choir and Bucket Drummers which are available to all students. The ensembles at Edenwood are given many performance opportunities throughout the school year: The annual Winter and Spring Concerts, the Ontario Band Association Golden Horseshoe Music Festival, Canada's Paramount Wonderland Music Festival and the school musical orchestra to name a few.

Parents of grade 6 students are invited to attend our Parent Information Night on March 24th at 6:30 at Edenwood. Our music teachers will be there to speak about the music program and assist you in making the best decision for your child's grade 7 & 8 music placement. Grade 6 students are welcome to come.

The Application Process

The application process is simple. The first step is to fill out the Music Program Option Sheet that is attached and return it to your child's homeroom teacher by April 1st. If the instrument your child selects does not work out, a discussion around choosing another instrument will take place with the Edenwood music teacher. Cosmo Music will exchange the instrument at no charge. If your child already plays and owns their own band instrument and wishes to play it at school as part of the program please indicate that on the option sheet.

Registration begins in early April. Please complete your instrument rental registration by May 1st to ensure the instruments arrive at Edenwood MS for September 6th when we plan to begin the program. A Cosmo music flyer is attached to remind you of the rental website: edenwood.cosmomusic.ca.

Instruments

In many schools in the Peel District School Board, students may choose to study a band instrument during their intermediate school years. Instruments that are available for grade 7’s include the following:

FluteClarinet Saxophone Trumpet Trombone Drums/Bell

*please note that acoustic and/or electric treble guitars (6 or 12 string), piano and orchestral strings are not part of the Edenwood instrumental music program.

Rental Costs

Instrument / Base Cost / With Taxes & Insurance
Flutes, Clarinets,Trumpets, Trombones / $144 / 162.72
Alto Sax / $279 / $321.32
Tenor Sax / $342 / $392.51
Drums and bells / $153 / $172.89

Flutes, Clarinets, Trumpets and Trombones

The rental fee for these instruments is $162.72, which includes taxes and insurance. This is a very competitive rate from the current tender for the Peel District School Board.

Bass Guitars

Because of the popularity of this instrument, limitations have been capped to a total of three per class. Therefore, applications for instrumental music on bass guitar will be determined on a first come first serve basis. Only students who own their own bass guitar will be invited into the program. Students must own an amplifier in order to hear themselves play.

Drums

The drums are also a popular instrument to play. Please be aware that students will take turns playing the drum kit and also the bells in music class. They will be assessed on both. There will also be a cap on the total of drums per class.

Rental Contract

Those who select to rent an instrument will enter into an agreement with COSMO MUSIC COMPANY LTD., a reputable music instrument supplier that Edenwood has been associated with for many years and is one of the tendered companies for the Peel District School Board. Families are welcome to acquire instruments through other means (purchasing or renting elsewhere), however there are clear advantages to renting from Cosmo Music. Not only is the price very competitive, but the instruments are of high quality and any repairs or adjustments that are needed are included in the rental fee. In addition, a representative from Cosmo comes to Edenwood every week to pick up or drop off instruments and is available during that time if students have additional questions or concerns.

Purchasing your child's instrument

If you are planning on purchasing a new or used instrument instead of renting, please ensure that the instrument is of reputable quality. Over the last few years, a large quantity of poor quality instruments or “Instrument Shaped Objects” (ISO’s) as they have been referred to, have made their way into the Canadian market through discount retail and wholesale chain stores. Please do not be fooled! Many of these instruments are made of poor quality materials and have been known to ”break down” after only a few months. Always seek professional advice before purchasing an instrument.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Morris or Ms Leyland at Edenwood Middle School 905 824-1020.

Thank you for your co-operation,

Mrs.G. MorrisMs S. Leyland

Music Directors, Edenwood M.S.

GRADE 7 Music Program Option Sheet 2016-17

SEX:Male/Female(Circle One)STUDENT #______

STUDENT NAME: ______

(Last Name)(First Name)

FEEDER SCHOOL: ______

(Grade 6 school last attended)Grade 6 Teacher

Please Choose Option A or B if you will be participating in the Instrumental Music Program

Check the appropriate box that applies

OPTION A:I will supply a band instrument for use in the Instrumental Music Program

Please circle the band instrument that you will be providing:

FluteClarinet Saxophone Trumpet Trombone Drums/Bells

OPTION B:I will rent an instrument for my own use in the Instrumental Music Program.

Please circle the band instrument that you wish to rent and play:

FluteClarinet Saxophone Trumpet Trombone Drums/Bells

OPTION C:I will be participating in the vocal/general music program.

METHOD BOOKS:

ALL students in the instrumental music program must supply a cheque made payable to Edenwood Middle School for $7.70 for the student method book.

Please return this form to your Grade 6 Teacher by Friday April 1st, along with your cheque for $7.70 (instrumental music students only) for your music method book. Payment for the music method book indicates your interest in the Instructional Music Program. Please go to the Cosmo Music website: edenwood.cosmomusic.ca by May 1st to select your instrument. The website will be activeearly April.

I have read and agree with the information above: ______.

Parent signature

Thank you,

George SoultanidisGwen MorrisSarah Leyland

PrincipalMusic TeacherMusic Teacher