Read More
Elementary Instrumental Music
How to enroll:
- Read General Information below and choose an instrument
- Complete enrollment form
- Wait for Mr. Dvorak to confirm your instrument choice
- Obtain an instrument, book and supplies
- Wait for Mr. Dvorak to give class schedule
Click on this link for the enrollment form: COMING IN AUGUST 2022!
General information about the Elementary Instrumental Music program:
- Instrumental music is open to all students beginning in the fourth grade.
- Instrumental music is an approved pull out instructional program in Prince George's County Schools. Classes meet twice weekly for 1/2 hour periods during the regular school day. Students are released from classroom activities to participate in the instrumental music classes and are responsible for making up any missed classwork. During Distance Learning students will attend Instrumental Music during Independent Practice times and on Wednesdays.
- Class instruction is free of charge. Parents are required to provide an instrument and instruction book (available at local music stores).
- Class instruction during the first half of the school year will serve as a trial period. The parent will be notified twice of the child's progress during this time. Those students successfully meeting the standards for progress, practice, and attendance during the trial period are able to continue with the program.
- An instrument rental-purchase plan is recommended by the school system. All rental-purchase plans should be handled through a music store. The outright purchase of an instrument is not recommended.
- Students are required to practice regularly at home. Specific assignments for home practice will be given at each class and students will be expected to master them before the next class. Students will be required to maintain and turn in a practice journal which will be graded. Specific practice requirements will be determined by the instrumental music teacher.
- Instruments taught are:
- Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass
- Woodwinds: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Bassoon
- Brass: Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone Horn, French Horn, Tuba
- Percussion: Bells (similar to xylophone) and Snare Drum (Percussion students are required to learn both, bells and snare drum)
- Dental work, such as braces, can make playing an instrument difficult. If braces are planned, please contact the instrumental music teacher before renting the instrument.
- If you are interested in enrolling your child in the instrumental music program, please return the enrollment form immediately. There is limited space in each instrument class and classes are filled on a "first come" basis. Students turning in forms after a class is full will have to play their "second choice" instrument.
- All instrumental music classes will begin the fourth week of school. in the second quarter for school year 2021-2022 . Students must have their instrument and supplies ready by the second lesson in order to be enrolled in the classes. No late entries will be allowed.
**NEW FOR SCHOOL YEAR 2021-2022: WOODWIND AND BRASS INSTRUMENT PLAYERS MUST WEAR MUSICIAN MASKS AND INSTRUMENT PPE WHEN PLAYING IN SCHOOL. STRING AND PERCUSSION INSTRUMENT PLAYERS MUST WEAR THE REGULAR FACE MASK.**
Prince George's County Public Schools
14201 School Lane
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Still have questions? Email Mr. Dvorak at Lee.dvorak@pgcps.org
Instrument Choice
Students will naturally work harder at something in which they are interested. Therefore, students are usually placed with their first choice instrument; one that they are most interested in learning. Parents can help with their child's success on an instrument by considering the possible pros and cons of each instrument, and placing their child on an instrument that they may be naturally suited for.
Please note that these are general statements which may not hold true for every child. They are intended to guide you toward the correct instrument choice for your child so that the excitement of playing a new instrument will not quickly fade after the first month of school. Please contact the instrumental music teacher if you need assistance.
Flute
- Requires extreme patience, dedication, good work habits, and good finger coordination.
- Not for students who like to see instant success.
- Not for students with smaller than average fingers/hands.
- Students with double jointed fingers may struggle.
Description:
Description:
Clarinet
- Students who pay attention to detail, follow instructions well and enjoy complex tasks will be most successful on the clarinet.
- Requires good finger coordination.
- There is an ongoing expense of reeds, but if a student cares for them, the expense can be minimized.
- This is an easy instrument to start on, but difficult to master.
- Not for students with small fingertips/small hands.
Description:
Description:
Alto Saxophone
- Requires large hands, approximately 6 inches from the bottom of the palm to the center of the fingertip of the middle finger.
- Students who give attention to details, follow instructions well and enjoy complex tasks will be successful on the saxophone.
- There is an ongoing expense of reeds, but if a student cares for them, the expense can be minimized.
- This instrument is easy to learn, but difficult to master.
- Students may switch to tenor saxophone or baritone saxophone in middle school after success on the alto saxophone.
Description:
Description:
Trumpet
- Requires good work habits, confidence, self-motivation and a lot of patience, as progress can sometimes be slow.
- This instrument requires a lot of patience to be successful.
- Students who have braces or non-removable orthodontics may have a hard time starting on the trumpet.
- Students with an underbite may also have a hard time playing the trumpet.
- Very thin or very thick lips may present issues in producing a good tone, which may or may not be overcome by purchasing a custom mouthpiece.
Description:
Description:
French Horn
- Requires a very good ear.
- Those with singing experience are more likely to succeed.
- Requires patience, hard work, and love of a challenge.
- Students unable to match pitches will struggle with this instrument.
- Students who want instant success and students who do not enjoy challenges will also struggle with this instrument.
- This instrument is in high demand for honor bands and colleges.
- It is a college scholarship instrument if played well!
- It is the hardest brass instrument to start on.
- Many players start on trumpet and then switch to French horn if successful on trumpet.
Description:
Description:
Trombone
- Requires a good ear.
- Those with singing experience are more likely to succeed.
- Students unable to match pitches will struggle with this instrument.
- Requires patience and good work habits.
- Students who are physically smaller may struggle with playing this instrument.
- This is the easiest instrument in the brass family to learn, but difficult to master.
- There is a high demand for this instrument in honor bands and colleges.
Description:
Description:
Baritone / Euphonium
- This instrument is the starter instrument for students who wish to play tuba in middle school.
- It is also an instrument on its own.
- Requires a student who is reliable and dedicated.
- Students must be able to blow a lot of air into the instrument.
- The baritone is a larger instrument, so smaller students may struggle carrying it.
- There is a high demand for this instrument.
- If your child rides the school bus, the school may be able to provide an instrument at school while you provide one at home so that the instrument does not have to be transported back and forth. Contact the music teacher.
Description:
Description:
Percussion
- Percussion students learn to play many instruments with different techniques.
- This is a good choice for students who are quick learners.
- Percussion instruments are the most difficult instruments to learn to play properly.
- Students must have a good steady beat and good hand-eye and body coordination to be successful.
Description:
Description:
Violin & Viola
- Requires patience, dedication, good work habits and attention to detail.
- Students who do not have time to practice or who are looking for instant success will not be successful on the violin or viola.
- Must be willing to keep fingernails short.
- The larger and lower-pitched viola is perfect for students who like the lower sound of the cello but prefer the convenience of transporting a smaller instrument.
- Students who like playing a unique instrument will find playing the viola rewarding.
- The viola is in high demand in honor orchestras and in colleges.
Description:
Description:
Cello & Double Bass
- Requires patience, dedication, good work habits and attention to detail.
- Students who do not have time to practice or who are looking for instant success will not be successful on the cello or double bass.
- Must be willing to keep fingernails short.
- Students with smaller hands may struggle playing these instruments.
- If your child rides the school bus, the school may be able to provide a cello or double bass at school while you provide one at home so that the instrument does not have to be transported back and forth. Contact the teacher.
Description:
Description:
Description: