Toluca Lake Elementary After School Orchestra Program|Children's Music Workshop

Toluca Lake Elementary After School Orchestra Program

BEGINS IN JANUARY 2023

The 2022 – 2023 Toluca Lake Elementary After School Music Program is open to all students in grades one through five.

Instrument Choices
• First graders may choose the violin. (Violins are sized to fit each individual student.)
• Second and third graders may choose violin, cello, ukulele, flute, clarinet, trumpet or piano/keyboard.
• Fourth and fifth graders may choose violin, cello, ukulele, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, or piano/keyboard.

Instruction is provided on campus every Tuesday that school is in session beginning in January 2023.

Small group classes will be scheduled every 30 – 40 minutes on Tuesdays (early dismissal day) after school between the hours of 1:15 PM – 3:45 PM. (Exceptions due to later Tuesday dismissal time is March 7 – 1:45 PM start (All classes begin and end 30 minutes later than usual.) April 11, 18, 25, May 2 – 2:15 PM start time (All classes begin and end one hour later than usual.)

Please have your child’s schedule clear for a 30 – 40 minute lesson during this time block. (First grade students will be scheduled immediately after dismissal at 1:15 PM. Parents should make arrangements to get their child to and from the music lesson after school.) Yard supervision through the Beyond the Bell program is available for students in second grade and higher who have a later lesson time.

The exact schedule and room locations will be determined when enrollment is complete. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

The final schedule of classes will be emailed to all applicants a few days prior to the first day of class.

Program Costs
A fee of $695 is requested to cover the entire 2022-2023 school year.

This fee covers not only instructional costs but all music, books and basic supplies which your child is given throughout the year. The only other expense will be the lease, rental or purchase of the instrument. Instruments are available at special discounted prices for participating music students through our instrument supplier, The Instrument Place. Piano/keyboards must work on batteries and be easily transportable from home to school and back. For ease of transport, we recommend the 37 or 44 key models.amazon is a great resource and here are some options.

Free Music Tuition and Instrument Rental
A parent volunteer is needed to assist with administrative logistics on Tuesdays. If you are available every Tuesday from 1:10 – 3:15 PM to help, please email Mr. Newman. Parent volunteers receive a full tuition waiver and free instrument rental.

Honor Orchestra
Students who play violin, cello, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet or trombone may be eligible to participate in the All Schools Elementary Honor Orchestra at UCLA. In addition to experienced players, we will be accepting a limited number of first year players as we rebuild the orchestra after a pandemic induced hiatus. Learn more at the honor orchestra webpage.

COVID-19
The music program follows all school and CDC guidelines. In the event that in person classes are cancelled by the school, music instruction will continue uninterrupted online via Zoom — including possible additional online days/times to help with student schedules.

CLASS SIZE LIMITED and PRIORITY GOES TO THE EARLIEST REGISTRATIONS. PLEASE REGISTER ASAP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What teaching materials do you use?

After many years of teaching, it became evident that there were very few group instrumental music methods on the market for elementary age students. So, we have developed our own collection of more than 250 woodwind, brass and string books created specifically for students in Kindergarten through fifth grade. Written by Larry Newman, these books are used in all Children’s Music Workshop programs and are available world-wide via amazon.com and at musicfunbooks.com.

How many students are in a class?

Our small group lessons vary from six to twelve in a class. The number depends on the type of instrument, ability level of the students and the duration of the class. We wait to create classes that will be successful after the registration process is complete.

Are classes grouped by grade level?

No, our classes are grouped by instrument and playing level. It would not be unusual for a second grader to be in the same class as a fourth grader if both are learning the same instrument and have been playing the same amount of time. Multi-grade classes are a very positive part of the music class experience.

My child already is taking piano lessons. Won’t two instruments be too much?

Students with piano background usually do better than those without it. Piano lessons aid the orchestra student in reading, counting, developing musicianship and much more.

My child wants to play violin but I think that instrument is too hard. Should he play something easier like the flute?

The violin is a great first instrument for even the youngest musician. It comes in many sizes and is fit to the size of the child. Each instrument has its own challenges. For some children, the flute can be very difficult – for others it is easy. The important thing is for your child to find an instrument that produces the kind of sound they want to make rather than the instrument’s appearance or reputation as difficult or easy. Your music teacher will let you know early on if there are some physical issues that may make learning a particular chosen instrument a challenge.

I saw cheap instruments at the local big discount warehouse store and on the internet. Can I buy one of those?

We only allow students to play brand name, quality student instruments approved for school music program. For a list of approved instruments, click here.

My child is very busy. How much practice do you expect?

The first year of playing is more of an exploratory year. Students should play at home three to four times a week but daily practice is not expected. The second year students should be practicing five days per week for 15 to 20 minutes per session. See our webpage on home practice for more information.

What if my child wants to drop out?

We offer full refunds through the third week of classes. After that time, there are no refunds so that we know the class is properly funded for the school year. Our retention rate is very high and drop-outs are rare. Of course, student enthusiasm can eb and flow over the course of a school year, so parental involvement and encouragement is very important.

What are the benefits of music education?

Now more than ever, children need the creativity and emotional release that music can provide.

The most powerful benefits of music education are those that are intangible and sometimes difficult to describe. The abilities to confidently perform music, to respond to music in an informed way, to exercise creativity by imagining new music, and connect music to other areas of life are so beneficial that they are sufficient to justify music as a curriculum to be made accessible to all. They also establish a foundation upon which students can pursue personal growth that will serve them throughout their lives.

Recent efforts in research and standards policy lends credence to an argument that music educators have made for years: that music education helps students in their social and emotional development. Even a cursory glance reveals several compelling explanations why this might be the case: music itself and the activities it involves are laden with social and emotional processes; music educators often work with the same students for multiple years, positioning them well to positively impact students’ individual growth; all people, especially youth, appreciate some music, and students frequently report that participation in music is their favorite part of school.

Music classes also incorporate community-advancing activities, presenting students with opportunities to develop relationship skills. Students in music work collectively toward shared goals, exercising skills including collaboration, communication, and conflict resolution. Cooperative music-making experiences can also positively impact students’ proclivity for empathetic thinking and behavior, leading to them becoming more socially aware. Social awareness and relationship skills, combined with self-awareness and self-management skills, enable students to act and reflect in more informed and critical ways, ultimately supporting them in responsible decision-making.

In addition to music practice and music-making, the lives of students are enhanced and enriched by participation in music education. While it may not be possible to recreate all the conditions that produce all of the extra-musical benefits described here in a virtual platform, Children’s Music Workshop teachers are aware of the need to promote and embed social and emotional learning into instructional practice whether working with students face to face, virtually, or both during the 2020-2021 school year.

Can I request online classes if that is my preference?

Yes! Children’s Music Workshop teachers use a variety of successful learning strategies that include interactive ZOOM lessons, video tutorials, prompt email replies and online office hours for individual help.

In addition to learning to play a specific instrument, virtual instruction also includes:
• Teaching musical fundamentals including note reading, terminology, music history, etc.
• Incorporating an introduction to each instrument of the orchestra including woodwinds, brass, strings and percussion
• Exploring other modes of music learning including composition, music technology, popular music, world music, etc.

Virtual Lessons Are Also Available On Request

Online classes can have advantages including:
• More flexibility in class times with more classes per week
• Shy kids may feel more at ease performing online
• Fewer classroom distractions
• Parents can be more involved in the lessons at home
• Students can enjoy a more comfortable and familiar learning environment

Through special arrangements with The Instrument Place, students in the Children’s Music Workshop school music programs can get discounted prices on instrument rentals, leases and purchases which can be conveniently ordered online. For piano, amazon is a great resource and here are some online options.

Do you have family members or friends that are interested in learning an instrument? We need your help expanding music education! Refer two new students to the program and your child will receive a 50% scholarship on the tuition fee. Just be sure that the students you refer mention your name in the COMMENT BOX when they register and that they are new (not returning) students to the music program.

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