Band & Strings
2021-2022 WPS Elementary Instrument Program
INSTRUMENTAL RENTAL NIGHT TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 14th Watertown High School 3pm-7pm
Hello Watertown Musicians!
We are excited to share the news that the elementary band and strings program is ready to go this year! Instrument lessons are free and available to all students in 4th and 5th grade. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn how to play an instrument and make music with your peers.
This newsletter contains information for students who participated in the program last year, as well as information on signing up to learn an instrument this year. We also include information about how to get an instrument if you need one. Please let us know if you have additional questions.
Richard Saunders (FAPA Director) richard.saunders@watertown.k12.ma.us
Matt Boynton (Strings) matthew.boynton@watertown.k12.ma.us
Macullen Byham (Strings) macullen.byham@watertown.k12.ma.us
Dan Jordan daniel.jordan@watertown.k12.ma.us
Sara Patashnick (Hosmer) sara.patashnick@watertown.k12.ma.us
Garo Saraydarian (Cunniff) garo.saraydarian@watertown.k12.ma.us
Anthony Spano (Lowell) anthony.spano@watertown.k12.ma.us
Maxwell Thew maxwell.thew@watertown.k12.ma.us
INFORMATION FOR BEGINNER INSTRUMENTS
Do you want to learn how to play an instrument? Do you want to make music with your peers? Do you want to perform in various school and district concerts? If YES, now is your chance!
All students in 4th and 5th grade have the opportunities to join the band or string program!
- Participating students will have a FREE small group lesson each week
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Which string instruments lessons are offered?
- Students interested in playing a string instrument can pick the violin, viola, cello, and string bass.
Which instruments can I learn in the band?
- Students interested in playing a band instrument can choose the flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, or percussion.
How do I get an instrument?
- Review the information below for some options on how to get an instrument.
I WANT TO PLAY AN INSTRUMENT! WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?
INFORMATION FOR RETURNING BAND & STRINGS STUDENTS
5TH GRADE RETURNING BAND
- If you played trumpet, trombone, French horn, clarinet, alto saxophone, flute or percussion last year, email Mr. Thew at maxwell.thew@watertown.k12.ma.us or fill out the band form below to confirm that you will be continuing in the band program this year.
- If you are signing up for a new band instrument or percussion email Mr. Thew at maxwell.thew@watertown.k12.ma.us or fill out the band form below.
5TH GRADE RETURNING STRINGS
- If you played a string instrument (violin, viola, cello, bass) last year email Mrs. Byham at macullen.byham@watertown.k12.ma.us or fill out the string form below to confirm that you will be continuing in the string program this year.
- If you are signing up to play a new string instrument (violin, viola, cello, bass) email Ms. Byham at macullen.byham@watertown.k12.ma.us
INSTRUMENT RENTALS
- Refer to the information towards the bottom of this newsletter if you need an instrument
LESSONS BEGIN THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 20TH
CUNNIFF
Thursdays
8:30-9:05 4th Grade Band and Strings
9:20-10:00 5th Grade Band and Strings
LOWELL
Note: Students will be assigned to one of these days
Tuesdays
8:30-9:05 4th Grade Band and Strings
9:20-10:00 5th Grade Band and Strings
Fridays
8:30-9:05 4th Grade Band and Strings
9:20-10:00 5th Grade Band and Strings
HOSMER
Note: Students will be assigned to one of these days
Mondays
8:30-9:05 4th Grade Band and Strings
9:20-10:00 5th Grade Band and Strings
Wednesdays
8:30-9:05 4th Grade Band and Strings
9:20-10:00 5th Grade Band and Strings
HOW TO GET AN INSTRUMENT
- To rent an instrument please go to: Music and Arts www.musicarts.com/rentals or Needham Music at www.needhammusic.com
- Come to Watertown High School (30 Columbia St) on Tuesday, September 14th anytime between 3pm-7pm to pick up your instrument and any additional materials (book, stand, etc.)
Additional Information
- Please note that students can rent from any vendor or they can participate with their own purchased instrument
- For any questions about rentals with Music & Arts, please contact Eric Jefferson: eric.jefferson@musicarts.com
- For any questions about rentals with Needham Music please contact Richard Vaughn rv@needhammusic.com
- If you qualify for free/reduced lunch and need assistance to rent an instrument, please contact Mr. Saunders at richard.saunders@watertown.k12.ma.us
Meet the Instrument Teachers!
Matt Boynton
Macullen Byham
Maxwell Thew
Playing music is fun!
We can harp on about all the scientifically accurate benefits to learning a musical instrument – but what matters most is that it’s enjoyable for the player. While other hobbies like watching TV or flicking through social media are passive, playing music actively engages and stimulates the brain, making you feel happy and occupied.
Playing an instrument makes you smarter!
Einstein once said: “Life without playing music is inconceivable to me. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music... I get most joy in life out of music”. And as it turns out, Einstein was onto something: many studies show a correlation between musical training and academic success, in both children and adults. Learning to play an instrument stimulates the brain, improving functions like memory and abstract reasoning skills, which are essential for math and science.