Good news! We will be offering free weekly while-you-wait instrument repair and maintenance services for the duration of Distance Learning. If your student's instrument is not working properly, horribly out of tune, or there is any issue with it at all, bring it in and we will repair it on the spot for free!
What: Free musical instrument repair and maintenance services When: Every Wednesday between 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. Where: In front of the school at the door marked Conference 12 Who: Please note that this service is only available for district-owned instruments. Safety Protocols: When bringing in an instrument for repair or tuning, please observe all CDC guidelines such as 6-foot social distancing and face coverings. The technician (Mr. Summers) will observe best practices for sanitization and safety, but be aware that instruments may need to be play-tested to guarantee that they are in working order. Instruments will be sanitized both before and after play testing. If you or your student are uncomfortable with this, it is recommended that you visit a professional repair service. String Instruments: If a string is broken or missing, please bring the proper replacement string with you when you bring the instrument in for repair. Rentals: Remember, most rental companies (such as Imperial Band Instruments and Morey's Music) offer free repair and maintenance by their in-house technicians for the duration of your rental contract. Note: For major repairs, you may be referred to a professional repair service. Welcome to a new school year! Despite the fact that it looks and feels very different, we’re here to help you bridge the gap and create music in a meaningful way. Keep in mind, whether it’s in person or online, music has never been more significant as it helps with your child’s social/emotional wellness and overall mental outlook. With this in mind, I am committed to making music class a bright spot in your child’s day.
As we begin on this journey together, I know you have many questions. Will my child be any good? Will they be able to handle the responsibility of music along with everything else they do? Will it be worth it? Is it safe? The answer to all of these questions is a resounding YES! With your support and mine, the possibilities for your child are wide open. Certainly, there will be moments of frustration as your child learns the new skills of music, but the rewards are many! In terms of safety, please know that I have been researching and following the latest protocols in terms of safe music making and am committed to doing whatever is needed to ensure the health and well being of your child. This will be tougher than usual, but that isn’t a bad thing. As children work to master a challenging skill, they develop grit and perseverance. As your child embarks on this new journey, we encourage you to take videos to document their musical progress. It is often difficult to see the slow arc of growth when they are just starting, but these videos will be proof of how far they have come and how much they have learned. Plus, they have the added benefit of being fun to watch in the future. The sounds may not always be pretty, but they will be special! And, it’s a fun way to reminisce when they are in high school or beyond. There will be an orientation meeting for new band & Orchestra parents on Monday, August 24th at 6:30 p.m. Zoom information has been emailed out to all new parents. If you did not receive this email, please contact me. I hope you will join us. I hope you are as excited as I am to embark on this new journey together! If you have any questions, musical or otherwise, please don’t hesitate to contact me anytime. Sincerely, Geoffrey D. Summers Instrumental Music Director Benton Middle School Visual and Performing Arts Magnet |
Geoffrey D. Summers
Instrumental Music Director "Practice is when you learn your part. Rehearsal is when you learn everybody else's." Archives
April 2024
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