- Commonly Asked Questions (Band)
Does my child need to have any previous musical experience?
No, we will teach your child how to play their instrument and read music from the beginning. Piano background helps but is not essential.
Which instrument should we chose?
When determining what instrument to play, we recommend it is best to take up whatever instrument your child seems to be excited about. If your child is uncertain about which instrument to play, contact the M.U.S.E. office and we would be glad to talk with you.
What is the easiest/hardest instrument to start on(band instruments)?
The answer to this question can be a bit tricky. Flute can be a little more difficult than some of the other instruments in the beginning stages but becomes easier as time goes by. Clarinet is fairly easy in the beginning stages but becomes more difficult (for a limited time) by the second year. Traditionally, music teachers recommend students, wanting to play saxophone, should start on clarinet; switching to saxophone later. However, there is no reason why students can’t start with saxophone. We are very successful with beginning saxophone players. The key to learning any instrument is practice! If a child chooses an instrument they desire to play, there is more likelyhood they will want to practice that instrument.
Do we need to supply an instrument?
Band students need to rent an instrument if they do not have their own. Oregon Band Instrument Rentals (through M.U.S.E.-no strings): For the convenience of parents, M.U.S.E. has partnered with the nationally acclaimed N.E.M.C. musical instrument rental service to provide top quality instruments for students. The prices are very competitive with local dealers and the quality is outstanding. If you are interested in finding out more about our rental plan, please click here to go to our rental page. You may reserve an instrument (highly recommended) by checking the box on the pre-registration form For string players we have a list of stores for you to contact. California Rentals: We have a current list of stores in your area that rent instruments. Click below for this list.
How much does my child need to practice?
We understand how busy students can get with all of their activities. We recommend that beginning students need to practice 15-20 minutes a day, 3-5 days a week. Small amounts of concentrated practice are better than longer periods of unfocused practice time. After the first year, we suggest adding 5-10 minutes more a day. PLEASE encourage your child to practice at home. First year students will be receiving a play along CD in October that corressponds to their lessons in their book. This is an excellent way to make practicing fun and it helps the students to hear how the song or exercise should be played. We will hand these CD's out, no charge, in mid-October. Please be on the look out for them and encourage your child to use them.
What is my commitment to the program?
We recommend that you sit and talk with your child to make sure they understand the commitment involved. We highly recommend that students make a year commitment to the program. It takes time to learn an instrument. Students will experience times when their lessons may be difficult. They need to practice and work through those times. Financially, you are only obligated to pay for the last month, May. May is non-refundable.
Can we change instruments after a few months?
It is best to stick with the same instrument for the year. If you rent an instrumen through our NEMC program,(Oregon only-see instrument rental) you have 30 days to switch instruments. It is hard to catch students up with the rest of the class if they switch mid-year. Students who have been playing one instrument for a year and then decide to switch the next year, can do so. If you do decide to switch instruments, private lessons may be recommended in order to catch up with the rest of the class. Sometimes it may only take 3-4 lessons to do this.
Is there a deadline for preregistering?
Yes. Preregistration is open from May 1 through August 1. Of course, you may register for our programs after August 1. For more information, check out our preregistration page. Once we have received your registration we will enter you into our data base. More information about the program will be mailed out to you in early August. Registration deadline for classes is September 29
What type of performance opportunities do you offer the students?
Students sign up for band not only to learn an instrument but for the opportunity to perform. We have many performance opportunities for the students. During the holiday season, students perform as a school band for school events. At the end of February, M.U.S.E. organizes our annual winter concert. Students from M.U.S.E. schools in your area, perform together as one ensemble. We also do this at the end of the year for our annual spring concert. Individual school performances are organized by each instructor as well. We also sponsor a solo and ensemble festival in April. PLEASE try to make as many of these events as possible. These events/performances are what makes being in band so fun! These annual concerts can have as many as 200 students performing together as one large ensemble. It is a lot of fun.
What type of communication is there between M.U.S.E. instructors and parents?
M.U.S.E. instructor will send out progress reports during the year. We also are available by phone or email info@museband.com if you need to communicate with us. We can get you in touch with your child's instructor immediately if you need to talk with them.
What is the cost of the program?
Cost: Tuition averages $48 per month which is about half of what private lessons cost. The only payment we need to receive from you if you are preregistering is a $48.00 deposit which reserves you a spot for the fall. The deposit will be applied toward your first billing-see below. This deposit is fully refundable through September 30 if you decide to change your mind.
Payment Plans:
Monthly Tuition is averages $48 per month (see registration forms for financial details)
Option One (pay every 2 months)
• First initial payment we ask for last month(May) in addition to the first 2 months plus materials/registration fee($25)
• Subsequent billing (invoices sent to you) (Nov-Dec) (Jan-Feb) (March-April)
Option 2 (pay in full with discount): The other method of payment is to pay in full and receive a $20.00 discount. The $48.00 deposit is applied to your first payment.
If you want more information see our website or give us a call. Scholarship applications available upon request. Visa, Mastercard, and American Express is accepted. Instrument rental is separate from tuition (see website). The average cost to rent an instrument is between $16-22 per month (except saxophone which is more).
Still have questions? Please contact us at info@museband.com, or call us at 1-800-233-6873