West Hants Middle School Music Program: How It

Works
Our West Hants Middle School (WHMS) students are very lucky to have an exciting
quality music program available to them. Please read over this information carefully, it
has been put together to explain how the program works.
Participation
The exciting opportunity to create music in a band setting is an invaluable experience for anyone, and has
a particular impact on the minds and social wellness of our youth. Music education contributes to the
development of knowledge, skills and attitudes that allow students to create, understand, and develop
meaning in other subject areas and life. Music is a central component of school life at WHMS that
participants continue to benefit from long after they leave.
Grade 6: The grade 6 music program is designed to provide students with a solid musical foundation for
participation in the full band program in Grade 7. Music exploration is centered around the use of voice,
percussion, and eventually band instruments as outlined by Nova Scotias Music 6 and Band Instruments
Curricula. Grade 6 Band instruction will begin in the new year, at which point instruments will be provided
for use in school by the AVWH Band Parents Association. For a minimal rental fee students will be able to
take an instrument home. All additional expenses (instrument purchases, maintenance, and supplies) are
paid for through fundraising organized by the AVWH Band Parents Association. All families are encouraged
to participate in fundraising opportunities; only through these funds will we be able to keep our wonderful
program running!
Grades 7 and 8: Our program provides all music students with the opportunity to explore music through
a band instrument and experience playing in at least one band each year that they are enrolled. Grades 7
and 8 have bands that perform at school concerts, festivals, and other events. Extra-curricular
opportunities are available to music students through the Concert Band and Jazz Band. These groups meet
outside of school time and benefit from additional enrichment and performance opportunities. There are
minimal registration, supply, and rental fees associated with the program for grades 7-12.
Instruments in Band
Students in a band program play flute, piccolo, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, bass clarinet, saxophone, trumpet,
french horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, double bass, and percussion. Many students come with prior
experience on guitar, piano, and drums. Students have the opportunity to play these instruments in Jazz
Band and will have an additional instrument for other band settings.
What Our Program Costs To Run
Grades 7 and 8 students are provided with an instrument (if needed), instrument supplies, music, a band
shirt (to keep), a year of professional music education, instrument clinics and more. In the New Year Grade
6 students will be provided with many of these resources as well. The school board provides the band room
and Mr. Reid for instruction during class time, while all additional costs are managed by the Avon View
West Hants-Band Parents Association. This dedicated group arranges funding through program fees and
fundraising events.
The cost of running the music program for 2016-2017 is projected to be $136 for each student in Grades 7
to 12.
Expense
Instrument Repair and Purchases
Instrument supplies (reeds, slide grease, valve oil,
pads, etc.)
Sheet Music and method books
Other Equipment
Band Uniforms
Clinics and Workshops
Scholarships
Travel and Event Registrations

Per
Student
$36
$31
$7
$2
$7
$9
$9
$25

Business/Banking/Licenses
Administrative
Total

$2
$8
$136

See Over
Our Fee Structure
Program Fees are a necessary source of income to keep the music program running and partially cover
expenses.
Grade 6
Voluntary Program
Fees
Registration
Supplies
Rental Fee
Grades 7 and
Program
Fees
Registration
Supplies
Rental Fee

Who pays?
Fundraisers
Fundraisers
Students Renting an Instrument to take
home

How
Much
------$30

Due
------------------------February 2017

8
Who pays?
All Grade 7 and 8 Students
All Grade 7 and 8 Students
Grade 7 and 8 Students Renting a BPA
Instrument

How
Much
$50
$20
$55

Due
At time of registration
At time of registration
At time of registration

Fundraising is an essential source of financial resources. We generally raise $10,000 a year or

approximately $50 for each student in grades 7 to 12.
Financial Support
We want to work with you to provide your child with the opportunity to benefit from the music program
regardless of financial situation. Alternative payment options can be arranged with the BPA Registrar for
grade 7/8 band fees. Bursaries are available to help in situations where families may find the program
fees problematic.
Value
Keep in mind the amazing value you are getting for the program fees. Instrument rental alone would cost
between $170 and $1650 for the year (depending on instrument type) if you were renting from a music
store. Music lessons would cost well over $1000. Your child will develop skills, relationships, and learn
lessons that will benefit them for a lifetime. We hope you will seriously consider this opportunity for your
child.
Registering
It is mandatory that all students in the music program are registered with the Band Parents Association.
Forms will be sent home with those children who sign up for music.
Volunteering
We hope that you will become an active volunteering member of the Avon View West Hants-Band Parents
Association (AVWH-BPA) or (BPA). Parents and guardians will be provided a list of ways they can contribute
(organizing, baking, chaperoning, etc.). When parents cannot contribute through volunteering we see a
direct impact on fundraising and the costs of operating the music program. To compensate for the
associated loss in fundraising income, grades 7 and 8 parents and guardians not able to volunteer are
asked to pay $50, for which a tax receipt will be issued.
The Avon View West Hants-Band Parents Association (AVWH-BPA) or (BPA)
When you register your child in the music program you automatically become a member of the Avon View
West Hants-Band Parents Association, which supports both the WHMS and Avon View High School music
programs. Meetings are normally on the second Monday of each month at 7:00pm. Specific dates and

locations are printed in the school calendar and are made known through newsletters and other sources.
We hope you will come out to see how things operate and contribute to decision making.
Contact
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact;
Mr. Steve Reid, WHMS Music Teacher/Band
Director
Email: smreid@staff.ednet.ns.ca
Phone: 902-757-4112
Website: mrreidsite.weebly.com
AVWH-Band Parents Association
Email: avwhbpa@gmail.com
Website: http://avhs-music.ednet.ns.ca/

Mr. Ted Woundy, Avon View Music

Teacher/Band Director
Email: woundyt@staff.ednet.ns.ca
Phone: 902-792-6747