Dear Year 4 Parents

As part of the music program in Year 4 this year we are going to begin a Unit of Inquiry that explores the knowledge, skills and attitudes that are required of a successful performer. Students will be learning the recorder for this unit and we will be using resources which will include “Recorder Karate”. This takes the children through various levels or “belts” which provide a form of incentive for the children to work and gain success at their own pace. As the children achieve each level they will receive a “belt” which will be a colored ribbon to tie onto the bottom of their recorder.

We are asking all children to purchase their own recorder and put their name on it. Students will be taking their recorders and music home to enable them to discover the value of practice! We will be encouraging them to practice little and often. Five or ten minutes of thoughtful practice every other day will be enough. Music lessons are on the following days and so students will need their recorders as follows:

4HJ  Day A, C
4BM Day C, F
4CM Day C, F
4ML  Day C,F
4AK  Day C,E

Recorders can be purchased from the NIST school shop – at a price of 200 baht – cheaper than in regular department stores and music shops and a good Yamaha brand. Alternatively, a number of stores in Bangkok, such as the Yamaha store on Floor 9 in Emporium Towers and other music stores in the large shopping centres also sell recorders. The brands that I would recommend are “Yamaha” or “Aulos”. Please ensure that the size is a descant or soprano recorder. You should expect to pay around 250-300 baht.

Mr Craig and Mr Mark will be starting the Recorder unit from Monday April 18 (immediately after the Songkran holiday) and so students should have their recorder ready to start then. If there are any problems please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,
Craig Chambers    cchambers@nist.ac.th Mark Bourgeois mbourgeois@nist.ac.th

NIST Year 4 Music Teachers