Meadow Lane School

Music classes at Meadow Lane for this year will cover Recorder and Piano! We will be using BOTH the Recorder Karate program and Essential Elements series for recorder, and the Faber Piano Adventures program for piano, with most students going through the Primer Level (beginner) book**.

Students will use these instruments as they learn how to read and interpret music notation. Throughout the year, students will also experience various music styles and genres, learn about key people and events throughout music history, and discover how music and the Arts tie into their math, reading, science, social studies, and physical education lessons as the ultimate cross-curricular class!

4th grade students will be taking a field trip this fall to attend a concert by a local orchestra to hear what various instruments sound like live. More information to come soon!

Students may perform a required evening concert during the spring, depending on progress. More information about this will be sent out during the winter.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

Order forms will go home during the first week of school. Recorder and Piano will require a one-time purchase of materials through the school shortly after the start of third grade (or when transferring into the district), and if taken care of the materials should be able to be used all the way through fifth grade without paying additional costs. Replacement and optional advanced materials can be purchased upon request.

AVAILABLE BUNDLES FOR NEW STUDENTS
(3rd Grade & Transfer Students)

* Third grade will get a small packet of Recorder Karate 1 at the start of the school year, but will receive the full book of all 6 parts later in the year as they progress.
** If your child has taken private piano lessons previously, or plans to do so this year, the Primer Level book may be too easy for them. Please reach out to me if this is the case, and we can check at the beginning of the year if swapping for a more advanced book would benefit your child at this time.

ALL STUDENTS MATERIALS

All students will be able to purchase necessary and/or optional materials à la carte. This is best for returning students who need specific replacement materials or would like additional accessories, or new students who may already have some materials from an older sibling or bought separately. (Note: dollar store toy recorders are not suitable for music class.)

Replacement/additional items include the typical soprano recorders, Recorder Karate bundle, Essential Elements book, and Faber Piano Adventures books (including more advanced levels).

Optional items include ear plugs for hearing protection, a detachable thumb rest for their recorders, a folding music stand for practicing at home, alto and sopranino recorders with accompanying books for more advanced students (we generally do not use these during music class, but more advanced students who learn these may be given the option of playing them at potential spring concerts), fun themed piano books (e.g. Disney, Christmas, Pop songs) for extra learning at home, and more. Order forms will go home during the first week of school.

Note: This is the first year we are phasing in the Essential Elements book for new students. 4th and 5th grade are not required to get this book.