♪NATIONAL HOMESCHOOL MUSIC ENSEMBLES♪
2010 - 2011
HOW ABOUT COSTS?
What does the
finest homeschool music program in Michigan do when economic hard times
threaten to engulf the program? NHME has an answer!
Like McDonald’s
dollar menu, we are offering a chance for homeschoolers to recieve their music
instruction at the unheard of price of $3.75 per week, that’s correct $15
dollars a month. Just as with McDonald’s this is all based on NHME having
a minimum number of students so that volume creates the needed funds to
operate. Currently NHME has about 80 students. We must grow to between
100 and 125 students. We need your help and commitment as we approach our goal
of continued growth during the 2010-11 school year. We hope that all homeschool
students will take an interest in the band’s development and continued
vitality in both Lenawee and Washtenaw counties
NHME is easily the
third largest program in Michigan. With eyes to the future, why not the largest?
We have established
a level of payment which is unheard of relative to other music programs in our
area. Private music instruction can run anywhere from $20 to $50 dollars for an
hour, and many instructors give only half hour lessons. NHME music
instruction is quite intensive, and intense. We work hard, and we expect
our students to do the same. At the same time, we have a lot of fun and
hope very much our students enjoy the work as much as we do. At NHME we seek Excellence.
We are a non-profit
corporation and accept gifts of money or instruments, and have received some
wonderful support (especially in purchasing our percussion instruments in
Tecumseh). Nonetheless, we need to cover the rent and the many incidental
costs that arise. Our fee schedule for 2010/11 is based on student count and
reflects our belief that a quality music program at a very affordable price
will draw the students needed to survive.
To this end, we
charge a basic fee of $3.75 per week for the first class per
student. This amount to be paid for each month as a $15 dollar fee.
There will
occasionally be special rehearsals for advanced students with other groups, and
there is no charge for these, although there may be additional costs for transportation.
Parents are advised to be aware of schedule information, which we try to make
available a year in advance.
In the past we have
worked with Albion College, the University of Toledo, Eastern Michigan
University, Hillsdale College, Spring Arbor College, Central Michigan
University, The University of Akron, and the National Guard Air Force Band of
the Great Lakes. In May 2010 we participated in the INCH conference in
Lansing, with our advanced players performing in the Michigan Homeschool Music
Network Honors Band. NHME is always on the lookout for positive musical
experiences for our students.
Tuition is due in
installments, but it may also be paid in a lump sum at the beginning of the
term. Under the installment system, we ask for $15 to be paid by the
first lesson each month in September through December and January through May.
Instructional books
will be provided, but are not included in tuition and must be purchased.
We also will make
every effort to ensure that a good quality instrument is available to each
student. Mr. Dobrosky works with Marshall Music in Lansing in the
purchase of new instruments. Used instruments are available in many
places—several of our students have bought outstanding instruments at yard sales
for $25. Start looking now! And ask your friends and relations
about instruments that might be sitting in an attic somewhere.
WHAT ARE MY CHOICES OF BAND/ORCHESTRA INSTRUMENT?
WHICH BRANDS MAKE THE BEST CHOICE?
LET’S START WITH
BAND. Beginning instruments are, flute, clarinet, saxophone (alto,
tenor), French horn (double), trumpet, trombone, baritone, and, if the student
has piano background, percussion.
For flute we would
be happy to see the student with an older student line, Gemeinhardt. For
clarinet the field is open; maybe a LaBlanc, Buffet, Vito, Conn, Yamaha, or
Selmer, the older the better.
For sax we would go
with a student line Yamaha or Selmer; again, age is probably a plus.
For French horn it
is not good to learn on any instrument that is not a double horn. We
would look at Holton; here is an instrument that seems to hold its value even
as a student model.
For trumpet, a Bach
or a Yamaha student line horn: be careful not to confuse a trumpet with a
cornet. Age is good but not as important here.
Trombone: Bach,
Selmer, Yamaha, or Holton; again, age is good but not important.
For baritone the
instrument is too expensive to own for a student musician. NHME has
three, one is in use. We can rent these out for $10 per month. You
may come across a bell front baritone at a garage sale; that can be a good
purchase.
With brass
instruments, French horn, trumpet, trombone, or baritone, watch for small red
dots on the surface. This is an indication of red rot, and it means the horn is
not salvagable over the long term.
NHME has some
instruments for sale, all would need some work, price generally under 100
dollars. Garage sale instruments generally sell between $25 and $95
dollars as do many instruments on Craig’s List and EBay. With a woodwind flute,
clarinet, or saxophone, expect that if the pads are not new or near new (even
if it currently plays) you will need a repad job to be done between six months
to a year after extensive playing has commenced. A repad job can run from $200
to $250 dollars and brings the instrument up to its true value between $275 to
$400 dollars, depending on the type of instrument involved. NHME has had a poor
experience with Bundy instruments, and Meijer’s and Sears instruments in many
cases do not play in tune.
We hope this helps
prospective band students find suitable starting band instruments. For parents
we recommend that you keep the start up costs as low as possible, and keep
funds available for an intermediate instrument down the road as the student
demonstrates his or her ability and need.
FOR ORCHESTRA OR
STRING ENSEMBLE. A string ensemble needs violins, viola, ‘cello, and bass. NHME
has some violins and a viola. We do not yet own a ‘cello or bass, but we
have access to two violas, three ‘cellos, and two basses, each of which will
rent for $20/month starting in September 2010.
PERCUSSION. The student
needs sticks, and a practice pad; the percussion instruments belong to NHME.
There are two
instruments which are both band and orchestra instruments and have a high
initial cost; they are oboe and bassoon.
Players of these
instruments are rare enough that a good player is practically assured of some
sort of scholarship to college if all the other pieces (i.e., grades, etc.) are
there. A good conservatory grade oboe can cost between $2000 to $4000
dollars, with a bassoon running from $4000 and up for a suitable instrument.
NHME has never been able to put the funds together to own these instruments for
rental purposes. We would love to be in that position some day; maybe with
God’s blessing that will happen. We would work with anyone interested to find a
suitable solution for a beginning student. Beginning oboes can be found for
$1000 dollars or less, however they do not have all the notes on the
instrument, and when the band or orchestra gets to an Eb or F major scale the
student finds that the instrument does not have enough notes to allow them to
play these scales.
Please address any
further questions to Mr. Dobrosky at doby7777@gmail.com.