Dear Parents,

 

 

Welcome!  Congratulations on enrolling your child in the Youth Center After School Music Program.   Music is one of the most rewarding and exciting educational opportunities offered by the Youth Center.  Your investment will pay tremendous dividends in your child’s life for many years to come.

 

Music provides students with a wealth of benefits.  In addition to obtaining the musical skills needed to become a performer, a child learns skills that can be used in every facet of life.  Team work, dedication, self-discipline and responsibility prepare a child for a successful future in any profession he/she may choose.  A variety of research shows that music students are among the academically strongest in their schools and score higher on the SAT than other students.  Most colleges and universities now look for more than just good grades on a child’s transcript.   They want well-rounded students that have been able to accomplish more than textbook knowledge.

 

You do not have to know anything about music to assist your child in this new endeavor.  Arrange a time and place where practice can be done without interruptions.  This practice should become part of each child’s daily routine.  He/she should never merely put in the required time, but should practice with the goal of always improving.  Music should be placed at eye level on a music stand.  Please do not allow your child to put the music on the bed or table etc.  This is counter-productive to quality practicing and encourages poor posture.  Always have them use their music stand.  Inexpensive wire music stands can be obtained at any of a number of local music stores.    Remember, practice doesn’t necessarily make perfect, but PERFECT practice does!

 

Enclosed you will find:

1.       a calendar of class meeting dates and concerts

2.       a guide to enhancing your child’s musical experience

3.       a list of needed materials.

4.       A list of local stores where you can rent or purchase instruments and purchase equipment that your child(ren) will need

5.       A practicing chart that you can use at home to keep track of your child’s practicing progress (this is a great way to reinforce quality practice behavior – use positive incentives, please.)

6.       A list of Musique Sur La Mer Youth Symphony Orchestra and Honors Chamber Orchestra rehearsal and performances.  Plan to attend as many concerts as possible.   Most of the concerts are free of charge and a fun family outing!

 

You will note that we’ve added beginning piano/keyboard and guitar to our roster of music classes this year.  We have intentionally planned these classes to avoid conflict with our other music classes so that your child(ren) have the opportunity to take multiple music classes throughout the week. 

 

All music students who have successfully completed at least one year of music classes are encouraged to join either the Learners’ String Orchestra or the Elementary Jazz Band.  Both the Learners’ String Orchestra and the Jazz Band are wonderful first ensemble experiences that will further enrich your child(ren)’s lives and help them make lifelong friends.

 

Please know that parents are always welcome to sit in on the music classes to observe.  Feel free to attend regularly, drop in or not.  (Modified Suzuki classes require parent participation in the classes   

Again, I congratulate you on enrolling your child in the Youth Center After School Music Program.  As the year progresses, feel free to contact me or your teacher whenever necessary. 

 

Musically Yours,

Marcy A. Sudock

Music Director

The Youth Center After School Music Program

 

MESSAGE TO PARENTS

A Parents’ Guide to Enhancing Your Child’s Musical Experience

 

Congratulations on your decision to provide your child with a quality musical instrument.  This is an investment in your child’s future.  In making it possible for your child to play a musical instrument, you are providing the opportunity for self-expression, creativity and achievement.

 

Numerous studies indicate that parental attitude, support and involvement are important factors in a child’s ability to successfully learn to play and enjoy music.

 

These guidelines are designed to assist you in giving your child the best support possible for his or her musical endeavors.  Like any skill, interest counts far more than talent.  With strong support from you, playing music will become a natural part of your child’s life.

 

BENEFITS

For your child:

  • Problem-solving
  • Teamwork
  • Goal-setting
  • Self-expression
  • Physical coordination
  • Memory skills
  • Self-confidence and esteem
  • Concentration
  • Poise
  • And much, much more!

 

For your family:

  • A child’s music study also offers opportunities for shared family experiences, including:
  • Musical event attendance
  • Family music making
  • Performing for, and with, family and friends
  • Learning about the lives of composers and the cultural heritage of many civilizations
  • A sense of accomplishment and pride for the entire family

 

HOW YOU FIT IN

 

Always keep in mind that your support is an essential element in your child’s success with music study.

 

Schedule Practice Times

Music achievement requires effort over a period of time.  New concepts learned in class need daily practice by your child at home in order for these new skills to be developed.  You can help your child by:

·         Providing a quiet place in which to practice

·         Remaining nearby during practice times as often as possible

·         Scheduling a consistent daily time to practice

·         PRAISING your child’s efforts and achievements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHAT TO DO

 

To give your child the best possible support, you should:

·         Remind your child to bring their instrument and music book to class

·         Encourage your child to play for family and friends

·         Offer compliments and encouragement regularly

·         Expose your child to a wide variety of music, including concerts and recitals

·         Ask questions about their instrument, what they learned in class and what was the best part of class that day

·         Make sure that your child’s instrument is in good working condition and well maintained

·         Listen to your child practice and acknowledge improvements

·         Get to know your child’s music teacher  -- Parents are always welcome to sit in on classes

 

WHAT TO AVOID

·         Don’t use practicing as a punishment

·         Don’t insist that your child perform for others when he/she does not want to

·         Don’t ridicule or make fun of mistakes or less than perfect playing

·         Do not apologize to others for your child’s weak performance

 

TO MAINTAIN YOUR CHILD’S INTEREST

·         Talk to your child if his or her interest begins to decline

·         Discuss with the teacher ways to maintain your child’s enthusiasm

·         Increase your own enthusiasm and involvement in your child’s playing

·         The better the practice, the greater the improvements and the more your child will be enthused

 

MUSICAL EQUIPEMENT NEEDS (that are not provided in class)

 

Music Books are provided!

All Students:

·         instrument

·         a folding wire music stand for home practice

·         a tuner

·         a metronome (optional, but very helpful)

·         a pencil – BRING TO EVERY CLASS

·         a soft cloth to keep the instrument clean

 

Violin, Viola, Cello Students:

·         Violin, Viola or Cello sized for the student

·         A shoulder pad for violin and viola students  (preferably sponge type or Kuhn)

·         A rock stop for cellos

·         Rosin

·         Extra set of strings (optional)

 

 

 

 

Electric Bass Students:

·         Electric Bass

·         Amplifier and cables

 

Guitar Students:

·         Nylon String Guitar in the appropriate size for the student

·         Foot rest

·         3 ring binder

·         extra set of nylon strings (optional)

 

Percussion Students:

·         Practice drum pad and pair of sticks

·         Pad stand (optional, but helpful)

 

Woodwind Students:

·         Instrument  (Flute, Bb Clarinet, or Alto Sax.)

·         Cleaning rag on cleaning stick

·         Extra reeds (sax and clarinet students)

 

Brass Students:

·         Instrument  (Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Euphonium)

·         Cleaning rag

·         Valve or Slide Oil

 

Piano/Keyboard Students – needed at home for practice

·         Keyboard (3.5 octaves) or piano (tuned)

 

 

 

LOCAL STORES WHERE YOU MAY RENT OR PURCHASE INSTRUMENTS

(make sure that you purchase all need equipment, as well)

 

1.     APPLIED MUSIC (all) – used by most of our parents!

10900 Los Alamitos Blvd., Los Alamitos 

562-596-1287

Mention that you are in the Youth Center Music Program and get first month of rent FREE

 

2.     MOREY’S MUSIC STORE  (all instruments)

4834 Woodruff Avenue, Lakewood

562-420-9532

 

3.     SAWDAY & HOLMES  (band, violin, viola, cellos, percussion)

310 East Willow, Signal Hill

 

4.     WORLD OF STRINGS  (violins, violas, cellos)

1738 East 7th Street, Long Beach

562-599-3913

                       

5.     BELLFLOWER MUSIC (all)

17125 Bellflower Blvd. , Bellflower

562-867-6715

 

6.     SAM ASH (rec. for guitars, elec. Bass & amp., percussion, keyboards and band instruments only)

12651 Artesia Blvd., Cerritos

 

7.     GUITAR CENTER (Guitars, Electric Bass and Amp., Keyboards & Percussion only)

18361 Euclid Ave., Fountain Valley

11159 East 183rd Street, Cerritos

 

OR ONLINE:  

www.MusiciansFriend.com   (all but  violins, violas or cellos)

 

If you plan to purchase online, please help the Youth Center music program by registering at  www.IGive.com/LAYC. When you buy your everyday necessities at the iGive.com Mall, up to 26% of each purchase is donated to The Youth Center, at no cost to you!