WAY-COOL MUSIC ZONE

SIGN UP! IT'S FUN! In the Moline School District, 5th grade students have the opportunity to sign up for orchestra or band in September. Each 5th grader receives information at the beginning of the school year. Students typically rent their instruments from a local dealer. A few of the larger instruments may be available to rent from the school district on a first come, first served basis. Students receive two group lessons per week during the school day. In addition ,students gather for after-school orchestra or band class as scheduled. 5th graders perform two to three concerts per year. OH! MOM AND DAD ARE SO PROUD!

WHAT IF YOU ARE OLDER THAN 5TH GRADE? A student can always seek private instruction to catch up with classmates and then join. For more information, contact Mrs.Croegaert: rcroegae@molineschools.org

BUT I'VE BEEN TAKING PRIVATE LESSONS FOR A LONG TIME AND AM TERRIFIC! WHAT NOW? Good, we'd love to have you! We will find a place for you! 

              New! -Enhance your school music experience by joining the new

Black Hawk College Youth Orchestra

If you are a stringed instrument player in grades 5-12, have had two or more years of instruction and can play in positions higher than first position, you can join the Black Hawk College Youth Orchestra! For information about joining and auditioning, contact Roxanne Croegaert, Director: BHCYouth Orchestra@gmail.com

A few of the 1st year, 5th grade orchestra students ready for a lesson!

It is always helpful to have a private teacher. Why? 

1. The private teacher provides for one-on-one instruction geared  just to you.

2. School group lessons are no substitute for private instruction. While some school groups are small, others are very large.

3. The better and more proficient player you become, the more doors and opportunities open for you. For example, you may be chosen to play in a special group, play at Illinois All-State, play at a coffee house or other gig, play at Disney World as a high school student or land a great college scholarship to your favorite school.

4. Most of all, you will be climbing thesuccess ladder that will help you enjoy what you started playing for in the first place - your love and enjoyment of  being able to play music.

For help finding a private instructor, please contact Mrs. Croegaert by email:  rcroegae@molineschools.org or contact the institutions below.

Augustana College .................309-794-7233 (Many college string students available)

Black Hawk College ................309-796-5000

Griggs Music, Davenport .........391-9000

Quad City Symphony .............309-322-0931 (Teacher Referral)

West Music, Moline .................764-9300

Practicing often and practicing correctly is the key to becoming a better player. What do you do?

Here are some great tips for getting the most out of your practice time.

1. Practice in a Quiet Place with a Good Light. No TV on, please!

2. Make sure your instrument is in proper working order. If it needs to be repaired, tell your parents. They may not know until you do.

3. Make a Practice Schedule. Schedule your practicing along with the rest of your homework. Waiting to practice in our free time never works. Why? Who has free time?

4. Set Goals. Decide what you want to accomplish.

5. Concentrate. Don't let your new puppy or your little brother distract you.

6. Always use a good hand position. "Squeeze the Bunny"?  Oh, no!

7. Relax and Practice Slowly. Listen to your pitches, count carefully, then speed it up little by little.

8. Practice the Hard Parts Longer. We don't always have to start at the beginning of the music. Find that really difficult measure or passage and practice just that until it improves.

9. Learn from Your Mistakes. We all make mistakes , but we don't want to practice the same one over and over. If the music says play a C natural and you play a C sharp, fix it right away and practice playing the music with the correct note.

10. Be Optimistic. You can do it! Work hard, smile and pat yourself on the back once in a while!