Your Child and Instrumental Music - Omaha Public Schools

Your Child and Instrumental Music

As part of our basic instructional program for elementary pupils, the Omaha Public Schools provides instrumental music instruction for intermediate pupils in each elementary building. Instruction in instrumental music education begins in the elementary level and continues through high school.
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String Classes

4th, 5th or 6th grade pupils may select to receive instruction on the Violin, Viola, Cello or Bass. A pupil in any one of the three grades may start beginning instruction. Pupils who have had previous instruction will be assigned to an intermediate or advanced class, depending on their previous progress.

Two group lessons will be provided each week.
Instruction will be provided by a string specialist.
The day, time and location of instruction will be assigned by the building principal.
A music stand will be needed. Music dealers have supplies in stock.
Parents are asked to provide the instruction book with the school system providing concert music and all other supplementary music. The string method book is Essential Elements for Strings Book I for beginning students, and Essential Elements For Strings Book II for advanced students.

Band Classes

Brass and Woodwind classes will also be available to 5th and 6th grade pupils. A pupil in either grade may elect Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Cornet/Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone or Baritone. Pupils who have had previous instruction will be assigned to an advanced class.

Two group lessons will be provided each week.
Instruction will be provided by a band specialist.
The day, time and room location for instruction will be assigned by the building principal.
A music stand will be needed. Music dealers have supplies in stock.
Parents are asked to provide the instruction book with the school system providing concert music and all other supplementary music.
The band method for beginning students is Standard of Excellence Book I. Parents should be aware that there is always an overabundance of Flute and Alto Saxophone students. As these students progress to middle and senior high school, this oversupply of players may be a problem. Some of them may not be able to be a part of the top band as the teacher must guard against an unbalanced instrumentation. It would be better to consider another instrument such as the Clarinet or Trumpet.

Selecting An Instrument

Selecting and learning to play a musical instrument will be an exciting experience for your youngster. While your music teacher and music dealer can assist you in the selection process, the best guide for choosing an instrument is your child's expressed preference.
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Stringed Instruments. The string family consists of the Violin, Viola, Cello, and Double Bass. When selecting one of the instruments your child should accompany you to the music store so that he is fitted with an instrument of the proper size. When you rent or purchase a stringed instrument you should also receive a case, bow, rosin, and, for Violin and Viola only, a shoulder pad. The instrument should be equipped with fine tuners (string adjusters) on the strings. It is recommended that the hair on the bow is made from horse hair, however, some bows with high quality synthetic hair may also be acceptable. Have the music dealer show you how to tighten and loosen the bow.
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Woodwind Instruments. The Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, Flute and Saxophone are all members of the woodwind family. Be certain that the instrument you select has a good solid case with latches and hinges that work properly. Have the music dealer show you how to properly assemble and take apart the instrument. A cleaning cloth should be provided. All woodwind instruments except the Flute should have a reed included. In addition, Clarinets and Saxophones should have a ligature (a device for holding the reed on the mouthpiece). If your child is interested in the Flute, it might be well to have the music dealer test him with the head joint alone to make sure he/she has the proper tooth and lip alignments.
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Brass Instruments. All brass instruments, Cornet, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, and Baritone Horn, must be in good solid cases with secure latches and handles. Instruments and cases should be clean. Each case should contain the proper mouthpiece, oil, and cleaning cloth. Have the salesman show the student how the instrument is put together, and returned to the case. This is especially important for the Trombone. All brass instruments, except the French Horn, have water keys that must be seated properly with air-tight cork. All brass instruments have tuning slides that must be properly lubricated. The salesman should demonstrate this function to you.
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Percussion. Permission of the music teacher is needed before a student can begin percussion lessons. Beginning percussionists should obtain a percussion kit which includes a two and one half octave bell set, stand, practice pad, mallets and drumstick. A carrying case should be provided. Have the music dealer show you how to assemble it and take it apart. The advanced students should have a snare drum, a good solid case, and a pair of drum sticks.
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Instrument Dealers

These are dealers who have music instrument rental programs and instructional materials.

Ann's Music World 3040 N. 102 St. 572-4000 204 E. Grant St. 339-1659	Dietze Music Store 13015 W. Center Rd. 333-1535 2012 Cornhusker Rd. 291-3745
Hargiss Stringed Instruments 6061 Maple St. 558-9551	Horn Works 5750 S. 77 St. 592-5655
J-D Music (percussion only) 8453 Frederick St. 398-9808	Midwest Violins 11714 Shirley St. 331-8500
Nielsen Violin Shop 1904 Farnam St., Rm. 630 342-5880	Schmitt Music Center 7355 Dodge St. 391-5588
Thompson Music 1120 N. 205 St. (Elkhorn) 289-9699	Voda's Drum City By appointment only 301-1060