Instrumental Music With Ms. Krohn

A little about ms. krohnThis is my 8th year teaching in Montgomery County Public Schools. I am a MCPS graduate and come with experience teaching all grade levels in music. I am a percussionist and perform throughout the D.C. metropolitan area. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Hofstra University in New York and currently working on my Master’s degree in Music Education from Rutger’s University, all online. When I’m not in the classroom or running to rehearsal, I love going to the gym or cooking a new recipe in the kitchen. Now, let’s get to know some more about the program...

Ms. krohn’s Contact and ScheduleMain form of contact from me will be through MyMCPS classroom via announcements.

Please email me at Daniella_E_Krohn@mcpsmd.org or through the MyMCPS Parent Portal.

Weekly Schedule:

● Bradley Hills--Mondays● Drew--Tuesdays and Wednesday (half-day) ● Stonegate--Wednesday (half-day) and Thursdays ● Twinbrook--Fridays

3 things to know about instrumental music1. Lessons are free! 2. Lessons are during the school day.

a. Student lessons are 30 minutes longb. Students are pulled from the classroom no more than once a

weekc. Students are not pulled from special subjects (Music, PE, Art)d. Students are grouped by instrument and ability

3. Instruments can be rented, they do not have to be bought.

RentingCheck and compare prices at different music stores. Key points to consider:

● Small security deposit/ large monthly payments● Large security deposit/ small monthly payments● Rent to buy programs● Repairs can be included in rental fees● DO WHAT FITS YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION!

A limited supply of school instruments are available for loan. Contact me for more information.

Other ways to acquire instrumentsFamily members-Have it inspected by a professional before the student plays it. Parts could be in need of servicing if the instrument has been in storage (cleaning & disinfecting as well as replacing some parts).

Pawn and secondhand shops- Purchase the instrument if the store representative is willing to make a written agreement that the instrument can be returned upon inspection by a professional. The instrument could be a great deal, but if it isn’t in playing condition…

Avoid purchasing an instrument online! *Although the price (& sometimes the color) may be tempting, some instruments purchased online are poor quality.

*Can be assemble at your own risk.

*They come with numerous problems that sometimes even instrument repair shops cannot fix.

*Quality of the instrument is what to look for.

*Think of it like car shopping.

*Contact me if you want a second opinion before purchasing.

Stores to Rent from in our area● Bethesda Violins(violin and

viola only)○ www.bethesdaviolins.com○ 301-272-1209

● Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center

○ www.chucklevins.com ○ 301-946-8808

● Lashof Violins (violins, violas, cellos only)

○ www.lashofviolins.com ○ 301-330-2606

● L & L Music Wind Shop (woodwinds and brass only)

○ www.llmusicshop.com ○ 301-948-7273

● Gailes Violins (strings only)○ www.gailesviolins.com○ 301-474-4300

● Victor Litz Music Center○ www.victorlitz.com○ 301-948-7478

● Potter’s Violins (strings only)○ www.pottersviolins.com○ 301-652-7070

● Middle C Music○ www.middlecmusic.com○ 202-244-7326

● Music and Arts Center (multiple locations)

○ www.musicarts.com

All these stores listed can repair and sanitize the instrument on site. These are stores that parents have used in the past. Some stores offer online rental and home delivery! This is in no way an endorsement of these stores.

Flyers and CouponsClick on the store for a copy of the store flyer for printing

Bethesda Violins

Lashof Violins

Music and Arts

Music and Arts-Spanish

Method BooksMCPS provides method books for beginning students ONLY.

Advanced students will need to purchase a new one if they misplaced their copy from last year.

The book must last them the entire time they are enrolled in instrumental music in elementary school (MCPS policy).

List of books:

Band students - Essential Elements for Band, book one (published by Hal Leonard)

Beginner String Students - Essential Elements for Strings, book one (published by Hal Leonard)

Advanced String Students – String Basics, book one (published by Neil A Kjos Company)

Steps to the first lesson● Demonstration Video Presentation-Students get to see and

hear the different instruments offered in the program. ● Registration forms-Turn in forms by October 2(found at

end of presentation). Students will be pulled from class for Interviews.

● Interviews-Students will have an interview appointment to finalize their instrument selection and to meet Ms. Krohn.

● Supply List-List all needed materials will be emailed home. These supplies are needed to be successful in instrumental music. (Additional supplies may be needed during return to in person instruction)

First Lesson● Lesson Schedule will be posted prior to the start of

lessons.● Students will leave their classroom Zoom to attend. ● All instrumental music items will need to be ready prior

to start of class.○ Instrument ready to go ○ Music book on music stand○ Extra supplies nearby (pencil, grease/oil, rosin,

headphones, etc)○ Tips and Strategies

● Zoom link will be found on Ms.Krohn’s MyMCPS Classroom

GradingStudents are graded on two measurement topics: Performing on an Instrument & Reading and Notating

● A - demonstrates full understanding of content, concept or skill

● B - demonstrates general understanding of content, concept, or skill with minimal support

● C - demonstrates some understanding of content, concept or skill with some support

● D - demonstrates limited or minimal understanding of content, concept, or skill with significant support

Returning Student ExpectationsRent the instrument (if you haven’t already) and make sure you have the book from last year. String students will need to be re-measured. Start practicing the following:

● Band students-Essential Elements for Band, book 1○ Review pages 6-13○ B-flat Concert Scale (see link)

● String students-String Basics, book 1○ Review pages 4-20○ D Major Scale (see link)

● B-flat Concert Scale and D Major Scale

Requirements● Regular attendance (with instrument) at each lesson

● 45-60 minutes of practice each week

○ (10-15 minutes a day, 5 days a week)

○ Screen Break!

● Participation in lessons, submitting videos for

performance feedback, and other assignments in MyMCPS

Music is a two way street---Students must make a commitment for the year and with parental help, set aside a time and place to practice.

Instruments offeredThe instruments offered in school are:

● Woodwinds-flute, clarinet● Brass-trumpet, trombone● Strings-violin, viola, cello● Percussion-bells and snare drum

○ students who choose percussion will learn both instruments

Any instruments not listed are not offered at school in the program. Please contact me with any questions if the instrument of interest is not offered.

NO piano, harp, guitar, ukulele, banjo Alto Saxophone and Baritone are featured in the demo video and listed on the registration form, but are not offered with me.

Woodwinds1. Flute

a. Does not go in the mouthb. Can play with bracesc. Lots of keys, can be easier for some

2. Clarineta. Reeds ($1.25 a reed) are your main expenseb. Feels similar to a recorderc. Seven parts to put together

REEDS-BUY A BOX (10 count box preferred)

Saxophone● 5th grade students who played saxophone last year will continue on the

instrument● Beginning students interested in this instrument will learn clarinet and

may be able to learn it the next school year.● The instrument is big, heavy and expensive to rent

Brass1. Trumpet

a. No overbiteb. Braces will create problems--not a deal breakerc. Good ear for pitch discernment

2. Trombonea. Forgiving instrumentb. Good ear for pitch discernmentc. Must be able to carry the cased. In demand in middle school

BaritoneThe correct size for our students is almost impossible to rent, families in the past ended up buying the instrument.

Strings● Violin/Viola/Cello

○ Come in different sizes■ Students need to be measured for size

○ Good ear for pitch discernment○ Request finger markings at the store

At home measurement guide for violin and viola:

Have your child extend their left arm out, palm facing up. Make sure there is a slight bend in the elbow. Using measuring tape or a yard stick, measure from the bottom of the neck to the center of the palm. If in between sizes, aim for the smaller size.

1/4 violin, 11 inch viola= 18.5 inches1/2 violin, 12 inch viola= 20.2 inches3/4 violin, 13 inch viola= 22.2 inches4/4 violin, 14 inch viola= 23.5 inches15 inch viola= 25 inches

PercussionStudents who pick percussion will learn learn both snare drum and bells.

1. Bellsa. Piano experience helpfulb. Will spend most of first year on the instrument

2. Snare druma. Will learn about other non-pitched percussionb. Can practice anywhere

Kits can be expensive to rent. There is a version where the snare drum is included, but drum pad is acceptable for classroom purposes.

*No school loans available on percussion instruments

In-Person Learning Considerations● This is the current study being conducted in the United

States● Covers information for instrumental music, vocal music,

and theater

National COVID-19 study

Percussive Arts Society protocol

In-Person learning considerations● Based off findings from National Study on COVID-19 and music● All students will need to wash hands before and after class and

will not share/touch other instruments/supplies● Strings and Percussion will remained masked for entire class● Special Considerations for band:

○ Wind players: special mask with hole for playing,in addition to their face mask worn to school (will not work for every instrument)

○ Trumpet/Trombone: wash cloth and bag for collecting water key droplets or disposable puppy training pad

○ Trumpet, Trombone, Clarinet, Saxophone: bell cover■ https://bellbarrier.com/

■ https://www.mccormicksnet.com/Instrument-Bell-Cover-p/3070010.htm

○ Flute: flute air shield attachment■ https://www.fluteairshield.com/fluteshields

Final SlideLink to the MCPS Elementary Instrumental Music Registration Website--Registration Form, Demonstration Video, and list of Music Stores to rent from are all this website.

Supply List--Again, instruments listed in this presentation is what is offered with Ms. Krohn.

*Other instruments will be listed on the form and featured in the video that are not offered.