They should write their assignment on their practice chart, and keep a record of when and how long they practice. They should total up their time every week, and have their parent and their own initials on the paper. Detailed practice guidelines for all groups are available on the handouts page. Here are the basics: Choir: Initially, students should practice breathing exercises and tone matching exercises for 5-10 minutes, twice a day. Be careful to drink lots of water, and to avoid salt, carbonated beverages, and milk products before singing. Also make sure to follow the vocal warm-up exercises learned in choir rehearsal before practicing choir songs. Students should also avoid yelling or singing too loud or singing for long periods of time without resting. Using the voice properly is really an athletic event. The muscles need to be warmed up by stretching gently, proper usage, and without strain. Orchestra: Initially, 10 minutes at least once per day, with one day off entirely, is best. After the first two weeks, that time should increase to 20 minutes per day, again with one day off per week. After one month, the time should increase to a minimum of 25-30 minutes per day, with two days a week off. It is very important that the planned practice time be about the same time every day, and is free from distractions. Practicing every day for short periods will help the student progress much faster than two or three long sessions a week. This is because the practice sessions are developing muscle memory, much like in sports, and this needs to be reinforced by repetition on a regular schedule. Long sessions at this age will cause fatigue and frustration, and are to be avoided.