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Mrs. Working |
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FAQFrequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
How often does my child have music class? Students in Portage Public Schools have music once a week for 30 minutes in kindergarten, and twice a week for 30 minutes in grades 1 through 5. Students are encouraged to purchase their own recorder. The recorder is a life long instrument that makes music making easy anywhere! If you can not purchase a recorder for your student, the school does have instruments that they may borrow. These instruments generally do not go home with students, making practice difficult. There are several good brands of plastic recorders to purchase. Through school your child may purchase an “Angel” brand recorder. The instrument comes with a case, cleaning rod and other essentials. The cost in past years has been $5.00. I do not know the cost for this school year yet, as I have not ordered for the year. The Angel recorders can be purchased from Mrs. Working throughout the school year. (You might want one for the entire family!) Alto recorders are also available on a limited bases for $15.00. Other GOOD brands of soprano recorders include: Yamaha and Aulos. DO NOT purchase colored recorders or the $2.00 specials found in many stores. These recorders are not always pitched accurately. Contact Mrs. Working if you have other questions regarding recorders. Can my Fifth Grader be part of the Choir at Moorsbridge? Fifth Grade choir is open to all Fifth Graders. It requires a commitment on the part of the student to attend regular Wednesday rehearsals during the 5th Grade recess time—11:25 to 12:00. There is no audition to be in choir; however, if a students wishes to sing a solo or be part of a small performance group, they will have to audition for that. The first choir performance is December 9th at 6:30 pm. Our rehearsals begin September 16th and we meet every Wednesday. Further information is available to interested students. They just need to speak with Mrs. Working. Can my child be part of the Moorsbridge Orff Ensemble? The Moorsbridge Orff Ensemble (MOE) is open to all 4th and 5th grade students. Membership is limited to 30 students, and auditions may be necessary to narrow down the numbers. MOE meets on Tuesday mornings starting at 7:55 and goes until the bell rings at 8:35. 5th Grade students involved in Moor News and morning safety duty will be excused early to attend to those positions. MOE rehearsals begin September 22. Auditions—if needed— will be September 29. MOE will perform at the December 9th Choir Program and also on the 16th and 20th of March. For further information, your student just needs to check with Mrs. Working. Orchestra is open to students in 5th through a before school program. For further information about elementary orchestra, contact Leo Hazen at lhazen@portageps.org Where can I find piano lessons for my student? Check the "Music Lessons Available" section for piano and other lessons. I will continue to update the site as new information becomes available to me. Can my child play drums in 6th Grade Band? In order for a student to be a percussionist (not just a drummer) they must have at least 2 years of recent piano lessons to be a percussionist in middle school. Playing percussion is much more than drums. It includes playing pitched instruments such as xylophones and glockenspeils, as well as other percussion instruments. Contact your middle school band director if you have further questions. Can my child start on saxophone in 6th grade band? Students wanting to play the saxophone in 6th grade band, must start on clarinet. After the first semester, several students will be invited to switch to saxophone. Contact the middle school band director if you have further questions. |
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