Instrumental Music Program c/o UC High School Kaleen Baldwin Drive Kaleen ACT 2617 Ph (02) 6142 0477 e-mail:imp@imp.act.edu.au

Excellence in Instrumental Music Education since 1973

Dear Parents/Carers,

I have been advised that your child has been offered a place in your school’s Year 5 Band Class. This decision has been arrived at after joint consultation between the Principal, the classroom teachers and Instrumental Music Program staff.

Before accepting this offer I would like to discuss the benefits to (and the responsibilities of) you and your child should you agree to undertake the Program. It is important that you make all of this clear to your child before notifying your school of your acceptance.

Your school contributes over $2,900 per year per band class to the operation of the Program. All of this money is allocated to the purchase and maintenance of instruments, the purchase of music for your child's use as well as the general running-costs of the Program. The Education Directorate employs qualified and experienced classroom teachers who will be the instructors for your child.

Benefits - Your school will provide you with an instrument that belongs to the Education Directorate and administered by the Instrumental Music Program. We guarantee that your child will continue to have an instrument for band class at primary school and while we encourage you to use it as if it were your own (in community bands and other groups as well as at school) we also encourage you to look after it as if it were your own. It is important to note that it must be returned to the Program if it requires repairs or maintenance - and a replacement instrument will be provided to your child - as we have qualified repairers to carry out the work.

Your child will be instructed in a Program that is recognised internationally as being unique and has been successfully operating in the ACT for over 40 years. This instruction is given in a group situation rather than on a one-to-one basis.

Responsibilities - Your child is expected to be involved with the Band Class for the remainder of primary school (Yrs 5 & 6). This obligation is important because it is impossible to replace students who drop out at a later stage - we cannot backtrack to accommodate beginners at a later stage in the progress of the class.

Your support is vital in the development of the child’s instrumental skills. Whether or not you are a musician you can assist with encouragement at home and in ensuring that regular practice is done. Whatever noises you hear in the early stages will improve (I promise!) but they still need encouragement. Practice should be regular -10 to 15 minutes daily in the early stages.

Maximum care of the instrument is imperative. Teachers will provide information regarding care and maintenance. Accidents will happen though and we insist that repairs are not attempted by parents or passed on to unauthorised repairers. You may be asked to pay for the repair or replacement of an instrument which is deliberately damaged by your child, but in almost all other cases there will be no cost to you.

I would appreciate your returning the attached note to your school as soon as possible so that numbers may be finalised. There is no obligation to accept this offer – it should be a joint decision with you and your child.

Principal

Instrumental Music Program

THE BENEFITS OF MUSIC EDUCATION ON BRAIN DEVELOPMENT

Developed by Dr Anita Collins in conjunction with IMP staff.

Research has found that learning a musical instrument can improve brain development in the following ways

Making, storing and retrieving information

Learning and understanding language

Regulating their logical and emotional responses

Understanding and responding to sounds

Working in teams

Creating ideas and working creatively

These types of brain developments are associated with the following types of behaviours

Improvements in thinking and analytical skills

Improved academic performance across different subject areas

Improved social interactions

Improved brain health that can last into later life

Improved ability to understand and accept confusion and discomfort when learning new and difficult concepts

Improved resilience and the ability to cope with change

Improved attention span

These types of behaviours lead to

Greater capacity to maintain positive levels of well-being through life

The ability to solve problems and find creative solutions that has been identified as a behaviour in high performing professional and effective leaders

The ability to adapt to new working environments and continue to learn and advance across their working life

Greater capacity to make considered choices and to be more discerning about career choices, relationships and pathways

A well rounded human being who can learn effectively and efficiently, perform at a high level academically and professionally while finding creative solutions to problems, understand and be discerning about their own behaviour and maintain healthy levels of brain function into later life.

Instrumental Music Program – offer of place response

YOUR PRIMARY SCHOOL _________________________________

I have read and understood your letter explaining the benefits and responsibilities of membership of the Band Class operated by the Instrumental Music Program at my child’s primary school.

(Please tick one box below and return this form TO YOUR PRIMARY SCHOOL)

We wish to accept the offer of membership of the Year 5 Band Class

We do not wish to accept the offer of membership of the Year 5 Band Class

Signature of parent/guardian: .............................................................................. Date: ..............................

Name of student ....................................................Signature of student: .........................................................