Back to School

By: Renee Bordner
​NWE Music Studio Director

The retailers have been telling us for weeks that it is going to be back-to-school season soon!  Usually, families receive a checklist from the teacher of items needed for the student to be successful throughout the year. These lists are often checked multiple times and the supplies are carefully labeled with each child’s name (in hopes that the child can hang onto the items for the entire year).  In our family, this ritual of purchasing these supplies and labeling them was a symbol of a fresh start for a new year. One of hope, promise, and excitement to start a new adventure. 

Most people think of crayons, glue, scissors, and paper as back to school supplies.  At Note-worthy Experiences Music Studio, our back to school supplies also include staff paper, music stands, metronomes, tuners, rosin, cork grease, instrument repairs, and even new instruments!  We want our musicians to have that same sense of hope, promise, and excitement as they dive into new music and or audition for a new role in their band, orchestra, or chorus! We want our music students to begin the year with confidence that they can accomplish lofty goals and chase big dreams.  Sometimes it might be a new piece of music or a fresh assignment notebook that can spark this energy. However, it can be very challenging for students to keep this excitement going if they are working on a broken, untuned instrument or one that they have outgrown. Please be sure to check in with your child AND your instructor to make sure that they are using the proper instrument for the child to take their music to the next level. 

​Piano students should be working on weighted action digital piano with a pedal or an acoustic piano. Viola, viola, and cello students should be working on an instrument that coordinates with their height. Drum students should work with full sets and guitarists should work with a youth or full-sized guitar. In some situations, it is more cost-effective to rent an instrument until the child reaches the full-sized instrument size and level.  Our instructors can assist in answering many of your questions about which instruments and other supplies to consider adding for your musician.

​Musically yours,
Renee
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