Mary Abt - director

Telephone:  487.1558   Extension 231

e-mail:abtm@truromass.org

This web page is designed to give specific information about the TCS Instrumental program.

Lessons

instrument instruction takes place in grades four and five and six during school time.  Students are excused from regular classroom instruction and attend a 25-minute instrumental lesson.  This usually occurs once a week.  These are group lessons with an average of two to four students per group.

Band

Instrumental students will also participate small instrumental ensemble, otherwise known as band.  This meets once a week before school.  For first year students, this usually begins in February.  Second year students will have band in the fall beginning in October and run through the school year. 

Band is an integration and application of skills learned in the lessons.  Instrumental students are expected to participate in the before-school rehearsals that are part of the band program. 

Concerts

Communication

Music education is a process involving communication between student, teacher, and parent.  With the child as the focus, all three parties must be involved to reap the maximum benefits of this program.

There is a means for this communication to happen.  Practice slips are sent home after each lesson specifying the assignment or skills to be practiced.  Space is provided on the slip for the student and parent to log time (minutes) practices per day.  The student should bring the practice slip back to the next lesson with the practice time recorded and a parent or guardian's signature.  This not only induces communication, but also accountability.  The teacher shows instruction is occurring;  the student shows effort; and the parent show awareness.  Quality leaning is the ultimate goal!

Practice

"Practice" means repetition.  In order for a student to be successful, there must be a sufficient amount of practice time.  The recommendation is for students to practice five times a week for thirty minutes at a time.  This represents a good commitment to learning and it allows flexibility.  Another approach is to do each exercise five times in a practice session.  With this type of effort, most students will do well in the program.

Practice time may vary each week according to the assignment and the level of experience.

When practicing, the student should find a place where they can be alone and without distractions.  Bedrooms are great!  Music stands are also helpful, and they make great Christmas presents!  Perhaps once a week the student could give a performance to their family.

Anything worth achieving requires a certain degree of time and effort.

Suggestions for Parents

Parents can be helpful in their child's education in the following ways:

1.  Make sure the child practices.  Setting up a practice schedule works best.

2.  Look for the weekly practice slips and grade.

3.  Make sure the child takes the necessary equipment to school on lesson days

4.  Encourage the child - never make fun of the child.

5.  Be patient.  They will not always sound wonderful!

Instructor

Mary Abt is the director of the Instrumental and Music program at TCS.   She holds a B.S. in music education from Edinboro University.

She has attended Suzuki Workshops at Hartt School of Music,

Music Techonolgy courses from Fitchburg and Salem State Colleges. Her musical experiences have taken her around the United States singing professionally.

She is a founding Board member of the Outer Cape Chorale and Chamber Singers a community choral organization.  She is member of the Kingsbury String Ensemble of Eastham.

Her teaching schedule is as follows:

Monday           General Musicl

Tuesday          General Music

Wednesday    Band, Chorus and String Instruction

Thursday        Instrumental and String Instruction