Instrumental Music
Welcome, families! We would like to share basic information about the 5th grade Instrumental Program so you can choose whether or not to enroll your child for their 5th grade year.
Registration for band or orchestra for elementary students begins in November each year.
No prior knowledge of how to play an instrument is needed!
This program is inclusive of all abilities, needs, and languages. Students should think of band/orchestra as at least a 1-year commitment (though we hope they continue on through high school and beyond).
- 5th Grade Program
- 6th-8th Grade Program
- Grading
- Lessons vs Rehearsals
- Fees
- Instrument Descriptions
- Materials Needed
- Instrument Rentals & Ownership
- Recommended Music Vendors
- How to Register for Band or Orchestra
- Band and Orchestra Directors
5th Grade Program
5th grade Band/Orchestra is the first elective class students can take in elementary school. Lessons take place during the school day. Students are expected to attend all weekly lessons. Students are pulled out of other classes on a rotating basis whenever possible. Please note- lessons may be canceled for teacher professional development or building-wide events, however we try to do this as little as possible. Some less common instruments are played at middle school only.
6th-8th Grade Program
Grading
Standards-based grades will be given in band/orchestra around the Illinois Arts Learning (Music) Standards. These will be shared on report cards alongside other subject areas.
Lessons vs Rehearsals
Lessons are smaller, with similar or complementary instruments together.
Rehearsals are larger sessions, typically with an entire ensemble
Elementary (Grade 5)
- Lessons - Pull-out 1-2 tiimes per week
- Rehearsals - Before or after school
Middle School (Grades 6-8)
- Lessons - Pull-out every 1-2 weeks
- Rehearsals - During the elective class period
Fees
Students must have the required supplies (ex: instrument) which may cost money.
- The instrumental music fee waiver/scholarship program is based on the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch program. If your family qualifies, your child can receive an instrument and materials provided by the district. To qualify, you must have an up-to-date application and information on file with the district. You can find more information about Student Fee Waivers and the Free- and Reduced-Price Lunch Program here. Eligibility is determined yearly.
Instrument Descriptions
District 15 requires that students enrolled in the program need to provide their own instruments and supplies for use in class unless they qualify for the waivers above.
Band: Woodwind Instruments
- Clarinet
- Flute
- Oboe
- Saxophone
Band: Brass Instruments
- Baritone
- French Horn
- Trombone
- Trumpet
Band: Percussion
- Students who select percussion are learning the entire percussion family, starting with bells and snare drum
Orchestra: String Instruments*
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello
- String Bass
*See String Instrument Sizing below
*String Instrument Sizing
Sizes from smallest to largest:
Violin • Viola • Cello • String Bass
String Instrument Sizing:
String instruments come in different sizes which are typically listed as a fraction though sometimes you may see them listed in inches (ex: ¾ or 13”).
If your student tried a string instrument on their interview form, a size will be listed along with the instrument. This size is just our best estimate at this time based on our experience with how students grow over the summer. Therefore, we recommend you bring your student to the music store to pick up the instrument in the fall so the store can double-check the sizing (we will do this at school as well, but if the store double-checks the sizing, it may save you a trip back to the music store).
Students may be in a size for a year or two, or they may change several sizes in a year depending on how they grow. Violin students frequently get to a full-size instrument by middle school, but for the larger instruments, most students won’t get to a full-size instrument until high school.
If you rent an instrument, you will need to bring it back to the store, and they swap out the size as needed. This is usually not an option with an instrument you buy.
Also, it is very important for your student to have the correct size instrument. A good analogy is sending your student to play soccer in their dad’s soccer shoes… they might be able to play, but they may get injured or play poorly.
Materials Needed
Materials for All Instruments
Materials for All Instruments:
- Sound Innovations Book
- Band: Sound Innovations for Concert Band, Book 1 (instrument specific)
- Orchestra: Sound Innovations for String Orchestra, Book 1 (instrument specific)
- Instrument
- Folding music stand with a carrying case (preferably the 2 piece plain metal style)
- Supplies Specific to Instrument (see below): These should come with the instrument when renting. Recommended supplies should be available for purchase for an additional cost.
Supplies Specific to Instrument:
These should come with the instrument when renting. Recommended supplies should be available for purchase for an additional cost
Band: Woodwind
Band: Woodwind Instruments
- Flute: Cleaning rod and cleaning cloth
- Oboe: Cork grease, silk swab,*two reeds (Jones, Lesher, Emerald or Chartier- Size Medium Soft), reed guard -- Students may need at least two new reeds each month
- Clarinet: Cork grease, handkerchief/silk swab, *three reeds (Rico - Size 2), reed guard. Students will need at least four new reeds each month (Rico - Size 2 ½)
- Alto Saxophone: Cork grease, neck strap, handkerchief/silk swab, *three reeds (Rico - Size 2), reed guard. Students will need at least four new reeds each month (Rico - Size 2 ½)
Band: Brass
Band: Percussion
Orchestra: String
Orchestra: String Instruments
- Violin/ Viola: Rosin, 4 fine tuners (installed), all-friction tuning pegs (Caspari pegs are unacceptable), shoulder rest/pad (recommended: Everest)
- Cello: Rosin, Rock stop (recommended: Strap Style like Xeros Endpin Anchor), 4 fine tuners (installed), all-friction tuning pegs (Caspari pegs are unacceptable)
- String Bass: Rosin, Rock stop
Instrument Rentals & Ownership
District 15 requires that students enrolled in the program need to provide their own instruments and supplies for use in class. We recommend that families get these supplies from a district-recommended music stores (see below).
Instrument Standard Colors:
All instruments should be in their standard colors. Non-standard colors generally indicate poor instrument quality.
- Strings instruments should be wood colored.
- Trombone, Trumpet, Baritone, Tuba, Saxophone, & Flute should be silver or gold.
- Clarinet & Oboe should be black with silver keys.
Renting an Instrument:
We recommend renting an instrument. For most store rental programs you pay a monthly fee to rent an instrument. Many stores offer rent-to-own programs. Stores usually offer a maintenance, damage/loss protection program that we recommend. A list of recommended music stores in the area is provided below. These stores have agreed to carry the supplies of the recommended quality needed for CCSD15 instrumental music students.
What to expect from your music store:
- Instrument cleaned and adjusted (top playing condition) at time of rental/purchase. (We recommend renting.)
- Basic instrument supplies provided for each instrument (see “Materials Needed” sheet “supplies specific to instrument” section).
- Recommended instrument supplies available for purchase for additional cost
- One week repair service with a loaner instrument provided free of charge.
- Maintenance/damage/loss insurance available with rental at additional cost. (We recommend this!)
- Book and music stand with recommended case available for purchase.
Instruments belonging to the family:
If your family owns an instrument, we recommend having cleaning and maintenance repairs done by a music store prior to the start of the school year. Our recommended music stores can give you a quote on what needs to be done and how much it would cost.
We do NOT recommend purchasing an instrument online unless you have worked with someone to be sized appropriately. It is difficult to guarantee the quality, size, and maintenance needed.
District-Owned Instruments:
Most families will rent an instrument from one of the recommended music vendors for their student to use for this class. However, there are some exceptions to this where students will get/use instruments from the school:
- Fee Waiver/Educational Benefit (Scholarship Program): The instrumental music scholarship program is based on the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch program. If your family qualifies, your child can receive an instrument and materials provided by the district.
To qualify, you must have an up-to-date application and information on file with the district. You can find more information about Student Fee Waivers and the Free- and Reduced-Price Lunch Program here. Eligibility is determined yearly.
- Rehearsal Instruments: Some instruments are too large to take on school buses (ex: cello, bass, tuba). In these cases, you will rent an instrument from a music store to keep at home and your child’s music teacher will have a second, district-owned instrument at school for your child to use for lessons and rehearsals. The teacher will tell your student about this when they start lessons.
- Uncommon Instruments: When students are in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade they can choose to switch to instruments that are less common and therefore not available for rent from local music stores. These instruments will be rented from the school district for a fee of $150/year. If your student is interested in these as they get older, the teacher will provide you with more information.
Recommended Music Vendors
These stores have agreed to carry the supplies of the recommended quality needed for CCSD15 instrumental music students.
Band Instruments
Fix This!/The Horn Stash
746 E. Northwest Highway, Palatine IL 60074
847-359-4444
https://www.hornstash.com/
The Music Room
26 North Brockway, Palatine IL 60067
847-934-5440
https://www.ensembleschools.com/the-music-room/
Music & Arts*
1476 E. Golf Road, Schaumburg IL 60173
847-517-1143
https://www.musicarts.com/
Quinlan & Fabish
59 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights IL 60005
800-637-6872
https://www.qandf.com/bandrentals
Classic Woodwinds & Brass Rentals*
119 W. Maple Ave (Rt. 176), Mundelein, IL 60060
847-970-3797
https://www.classicviolins.com/
Sweetwater
Online only, ship to home
888-890-3365
https://www.sweetwater.com/instrument-rentals/
* some instruments not available
Orchestra Instruments
The String Project
510 E. Northwest Highway, Palatine IL 60074
847-934-7500
https://www.thestringproject.com/
Classic Violins*
119 W. Maple Ave (Rt. 176), Mundelein, IL 60060
847-970-3797
https://www.classicviolins.com/
Music & Arts*
1476 E. Golf Road, Schaumburg IL 60173
847-517-1143
https://www.musicarts.com/
The Music Room
26 North Brockway, Palatine IL 60067
847-934-5440
https://www.ensembleschools.com/the-music-room/
Hoffman Strings
16571 W. Easton, Prairie View IL 60069
847-478-1163
https://hoffmannstringsltd.com/
Quinlan & Fabish
59 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights IL 60005
800-637-6872
https://www.qandf.com/orchestrarentals
Sweetwater
Online only, ship to home
888-890-3365
https://www.sweetwater.com/instrument-rentals/
* some instruments not available
What to expect from your music store:
- Instrument cleaned and adjusted (top playing condition) at time of rental/purchase. (We recommend renting.)
- Basic instrument supplies provided for each instrument (see “Materials Needed” sheet “supplies specific to instrument” section).
- Recommended instrument supplies available for purchase for additional cost
- One week repair service with a loaner instrument provided free of charge.
- Maintenance/damage/loss insurance available with rental at additional cost. (We recommend this!)
- Book and music stand with recommended case available for purchase.
How to Register for Band or Orchestra
Registration for band or orchestra for incoming 5th grade elementary students begins in November for the next school year.
- December 6, 2024: Deadline for completion for students to do instrument interviews with teachers.
- January 15, 2025: Deadline for completion for students who know their instrument choice.
**Important note: the registration form will be emailed to you with a very important number (Student ID) included. You will need this to register your child. If you do not know your child's student ID or did not receive the email, you can reach out to the school office and then complete the form.
Before completing the registration form, please review all of the information as a family. If you have questions or need support, please reach out to one of the band or orchestra teachers at your child’s school. When signing up for an instrument, your child will be registered in a band or orchestra course.
Band and Orchestra Directors
If you have additional questions about the program, you can review the detailed program below or contact the band or orchestra director at your child's school.
School Name | Band Teacher | Teacher Email | Orchestra Teacher | Teacher Email |
---|---|---|---|---|
Conyers Learning Academy | Vanessa Thomsen | thomsenv@ccsd15.net | Vanessa Thomsen | thomsenv@ccsd15.net |
Central Road | Emily Frazier | fraziere@ccsd15.net | Mary Kaempen | kaempenm@ccsd15.net |
Frank C Whiteley | Dave Wilkie | wilkied@ccsd15.net | Julie Quitchau | quitschj@ccsd15.net |
Gray M Sanborn | Emily Frazier | fraziere@ccsd15.net | Mary Kaempen | kaempenm@ccsd15.net |
Hunting Ridge | Dave Wilkie | wilkied@ccsd15.net | Mary Kaempen | kaempenm@ccsd15.net |
Jane Addams | Kevin Holt | holtk@ccsd15.net | Mary Kaempen | kaempenm@ccsd15.net |
Kimball Hill | Emily Frazier | fraziere@ccsd15.net | Colleen Martinez | martinec@ccsd15.net |
Lake Louise | Kevin Holt | holtk@ccsd15.net | Mary Kaempen | kaempenm@ccsd15.net |
Lincoln | Emily Frazier | fraziere@ccsd15.net | Mary Kaempen | kaempenm@ccsd15.net |
Marion Jordan | Dave Wilkie | wilkied@ccsd15.net | Julie Quitchau | quitschj@ccsd15.net |
Pleasant Hill | Dave Wilkie | wilkied@ccsd15.net | Mary Kaempen | kaempenm@ccsd15.net |
Stuart R Paddock | Emily Frazier | fraziere@ccsd15.net | Mary Kaempen | kaempenm@ccsd15.net |
Virginia Lake | Kevin Holt | holtk@ccsd15.net | Mary Kaempen | kaempenm@ccsd15.net |
Willow Bend | Emily Frazier | fraziere@ccsd15.net | Colleen Martinez | martinec@ccsd15.net |
Winston Campus Dual Language | Kevin Holt | holtk@ccsd15.net | Katie Doderer | dodererk@ccsd15.net |
Thomas Jefferson Middle School | Joe Arenberg | arenberj@ccsd15.net | Julie Quitchau | quitschj@ccsd15.net |
Thomas Jefferson Middle School | Dave Wilkie | wilkied@ccsd15.net | -- | -- |
Carl Sandburg Middle School | Julie Kurka | kurkaj@ccsd15.net | Colleen Martinez | martinec@ccsd15.net |
Plum Grove Middle School | Mario Mongello | mongellm@ccsd15.net | Lisa Bruno | brunol@ccsd15.net |
Plum Grove Middle School | TJ Mitchell | mitchelt@ccsd15.net | -- | -- |
Winston Campus Middle School | Hannah Menich | menichh@ccsd15.net | Katie Doderer | dodererk@ccsd15.net |
Winston Campus Middle School | Kevin Holt | holtk@ccsd15.net | Quin Santucci | santuccq@ccsd15.net |
Walter R Sundling Middle School | Jeff Zilke | zilkej@ccsd15.net | Alexis Bourke | bourkea@ccsd15.net |
Questions? Contact Megan Preis, D15 Instructional Coordinator, at preism@ccsd15.net.