Search Our Site

St. Luke School Band

We are very proud of our St. Luke School Band program. Every child in grades 1 through 8 has an opportunity to learn the violin, with Grades 3 through 8 having the opportunity to join the band. For band, they may choose the following instruments: flute, trumpet, clarinet, trombone, saxophone, bells, and drums. The band and violin lessons are held after school. Two concerts are held each year, at Christmas time and in the Spring. Instruction is provided by Paul Effman Music Service.

A recruitment assembly is scheduled in September. At that time, students and parents receive all information regarding the program. Students (grades 1-8) interested in playing an instrument receive lessons in small groups. The service provides highly trained educators along with a skilled manager to regularly oversee the program. Instruments are available through a rental or purchase program at rates substantially below market.

Download Program Document

 

 

 

 

THE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PROGRAM

 2024-25

  

Dear Parent:

In September, your child will have the opportunity to join the school instrumental music program. Students will see and hear the instruments at a school assembly in the fall. Your child will come home with all of the information necessary to join the program and obtain an instrument.

­­­­­

Why is instrumental music important?

Although some view instrumental music as simply another club, it is much more than that. Learning to play a musical instrument and performing in the school instrumental music program provides students with tangible evidence that hard work and dedication pay off.

 

  • Instrumental music students average higher scores on SAT tests than other members of the student body.     
  • In a 1999 Columbia University study, students in music were found to be more cooperative with teachers and peers, more self-confident, and better able to express their ideas.
  • College admissions officers cite participation in music programs as an important factor in making admissions decisions.
  • Instrumental music is an investment in your child's future. The most common remark from parents following a wonderful school concert is, “I wish my parents would have encouraged me to play an instrument and stick with it.”

 

Various rental and purchase options will be available to you. Again, there is nothing you need to do at this time. Lesson fees will be approximately $82 per installment (9 installments). All information regarding participation and instrument rental/sales will be distributed in the fall.

Please browse through the instrument selection guide on the reverse side, or visit our website (www.pemusic.com) for more pictures, videos, and sound clips of the instruments. I hope that this information will assist you and your child in deciding upon an instrument.

Participants in our programs have the opportunity to buy or rent all major brands of instruments at a substantial discount.  As an experienced teacher, performer, and technician, I urge you not buy instruments from mail order catalogs, e-bay, or non-music retail stores! These instruments may look shiny and seem like a good deal, but they are often poorly constructed and unplayable. Please do not set your child up for failure by purchasing a poor quality instrument.

 

You are not locked into the instrument decision you make at the start of the school year. With input from parent, child, and teacher, switching instruments is not a problem. The choices shown below represent the instruments we feel are ideal for beginning elementary students. There are other instruments available, such as oboe, bass clarinet, bassoon, baritone, french horn, and tuba.

 

 

THE WOODWIND FAMILY

The Flute is a member of its family even though it is made of metal. It is easy to fit into a backpack or lockers. Flautists play many high notes in the ensemble. Sound is created by blowing air against the edge of a hole at the top of the flute.
 

The Clarinet is slightly larger than the flute, but is still a small instrument to carry. The clarinet has the largest pitch range among common woodwind instruments. While most clarinets are made of plastic, professional models are made of wood. The clarinet is a single reed instrument, and making a sound on the clarinet is fairly easy.
 

The Saxophone is the largest member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are made of metal and come in four sizes. The appropriate size for beginner students is the “alto” saxophone. Like the clarinet, the saxophone is a single reed instrument. The saxophone is popular for its unique sound and versatility across several musical genres.

 

 

THE BRASS FAMILY

The Trumpet is the smallest member of the brass family. It is constructed of brass. As with all brass instruments, sound is produced by buzzing your lips into the mouthpiece. The trumpet’s bright and lively sound carries many of the melodies in the group.
 

The Trombone is made of brass and plays many of the low notes and harmonies in the ensemble. Like the trumpet, sound is produced by buzzing your lips into a mouthpiece. While other brass instruments change pitches by pressing valves to change the length of the air flow, the trombone player simply moves the slide in and out.
 

 

THE PERCUSSION FAMILY

The Bell Lyre (also known as the glockenspiel) is a member of the percussion family that produces its sound by striking metal keys with a plastic or wooden mallet. The notes are configured like a piano keyboard, and usually the names of the notes are printed on each metal bar. When struck, the bars create a very pure, resonant sound.
 

The Snare Drum is a popular percussion instrument that is played by striking the drum head with two wooden sticks. Drummers have the important job of keeping the beat for the group. A common misconception about the drums is that they are easy. Actually, playing drums requires a great deal of focus and practice.
 

 

THE STRING FAMILY

The Violin is the most popular member of the string family. Sound is produced by either plucking the strings or running a bow across them. Various note combinations are created by the position of the player’s fingers on the fingerboard. Violins come in various sizes, depending on the size of the player.

Pre-K 2
2022 COVID-19 Safety Protocols

Updated COVID Quarantine and Isolation Guidelines

 

The New York State Approach to COVID Quarantine

Effective March 8, 2022

 

After review of the NYC DOH and NYS DOH updated COVID Quarantine and Isolation please see the updated Quarantine and Isolation guidelines for the Catholic Academy’s and Parish Schools within the Diocese of Brooklyn effective March 8, 2022.

 

Updated Quarantine Guidelines

 

NYS DOH Quarantine Exception for Schools (K-12)

  • Exposed unvaccinated students, teachers and staff who are required to quarantine can attend or work at school during the quarantine period where COVID Health and Safety protocols i.e.  masking and test to stay programs are monitored and enforced.
  • They may also attend or work at school-based extracurricular activities that do not involve participants from other schools. (e.g., not competitive sports events with other schools)
  • They may attend or work at certain eligible childcare programs for school-age children, such as early drop off programs and aftercare.  
  • However, these individuals should continue to quarantine as otherwise required outside of school and these school-related activities. 
  • Face coverings are recommended (optional) while riding the school bus.
  • Face coverings are required in the Nurses Office/Medical Room.
  • Fully vaccinated 5–11-year-old children who are not eligible for the booster, have no further restrictions.

 

 

Nursery and Pre-Kindergarten

Nursery and Pre-Kindergarten, including NYC DOE funded programs, students who were exposed to COVID-19 can return to school after 10 days where the Exposure Date is Day 0 or when:

  • Children can return from quarantine on Day 8, with proof of a negative diagnostic COVID-19 test performed on Day 5 or later after exposure.  (Day 0 is the date of exposure)
  • The test can be any molecular test, or an at home-test that is explicitly intended for use by children as young as 2.
  • If an at home test is used, two tests within 24 hours are required to return to school on Day 8.

 

Who does Not Have to Quarantine After Close Contact with Someone With COVID-19?

• Anyone ages 12 or older and who has received all CDC recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses, including boosters if eligible and additional primary shots for some immunocompromised people.

• Anyone ages 5-11 years old who has completed the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines.

• Anyone who has had confirmed COVID-19 within the last 90 days (tested positive using a viral test, e.g., antigen or PCR).

 

Who Has to Quarantine After Close Contact with Someone With COVID-19?

• Anyone ages 12 or older who has completed the primary series of recommended vaccine abut are not up to date with vaccines, meaning they have not received a booster when eligible

• Anyone who has not completed a primary vaccine series.

• Anyone who is not vaccinated.

Please Note: These individuals may attend or work at school; they may also attend or work at school-based extracurricular activities that do not involve participants from other schools. (e.g., not competitive sports events with other schools) and they may attend or work at certain eligible childcare programs for school-age children, such as early drop off programs and aftercare during the quarantine period where COVID Health and Safety protocols i.e.  masking and test to stay programs are monitored and enforced.

 

How to Quarantine

  • Stay home for at least 5 days (day 0 through day 5) after the date of the last contact with a person who has COVID-19. The date of contact (exposure) is considered day 0.
    • For example: A person is exposed on January 2, this would be Day 0, count 5 days of quarantine until January 7, this would be Day 5. Return to school on January 8, this would be the first day quarantine free.
  •  

 

  • To continue to attend school or work after an exposure to COVID-19 please note the following:
    • Strongly recommended: Wear a face covering while at school/work for five days after the date of exposure. The date of exposure is considered day 0.
    • Required: Participate in the Test to Stay Strategy. Faculty, staff, and students required to quarantine are required to test at days 2-3 (or the first school day after the exposure is identified) and day 5 using COVID tests available from Federal, City and State resources. 
    • Required: Submit the signed testing affirmation to the school on days 1 and 5.
    • Faculty, Staff and Students can continue to attend school/work if the COVID tests are negative.
    • If a Faculty, Staff or Student tests positive they should stay home and follow the Isolation protocols and notify the school of the positive test result.
  • Continue to monitor for 10 days after the date of the last close contact with someone with COVID-19, watch for fever (100.4◦F or greater), cough, shortness of breath, or other COVID-19 symptoms.  If symptoms develop, get tested immediately and isolate until test results arrive. If test result is positive, follow isolation guidelines.
  • Unvaccinated, not fully vaccinated or 12 years or older -Fully Vaccinated, Booster eligible, but NOT received a Booster, faculty, staff, or student who are identified as a close contact who does not follow the test to stay preventive strategy and does not submit proof of a negative COVID test on Day 1 and Day 5 are required to quarantine for five days from date of exposure where the exposure date is Day 0.

 

Updated Isolation Guidelines

 

New York State Approach to COVID-19 Isolation

Isolation is used to separate people with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 from those without COVID-19.

 

Who Has to Isolate?

People who are confirmed to have COVID-19 or are showing symptoms of COVID-19 need to isolate regardless of their vaccination status. This includes:

  • People who have a positive viral test (e.g., antigen or PCR) for COVID-19, regardless of whether they have symptoms.
  • People with symptoms of COVID-19including those who are awaiting test results (Rapid or PCR) or have not been tested
  • People with symptoms should isolate even if they do not know if they have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19.

 

 

How to Isolate

  • Stay home, in a separate room from other household members, if possible, for at least 5 days from onset of symptoms or positive test date, whichever came first.
  • Isolate for at least 5 days, if symptoms persist a longer isolation will be required.
  • Return from Isolation after a minimum of 5 days and the following: (Positive Test date or Symptom Onset Date is Day 0)
    • Fever free for 24 hours with no fever reducing medication
    • Symptoms are improving
    • Licensed Healthcare Provider Note, dated after Day 5, stating the individual can safely return to in person instruction
  • REQUIRED: To wear a face covering while at school/work for Days 6-10 after returning to school/work after testing positive for COVID-19.

 

 

Exhibit COVID-19 Symptoms During the School Day:

If an individual exhibits COVID-19 symptom during the school day, schools should implement Isolation protocols.

Individuals who exhibit COVID-19 symptoms during the school day are required to isolate and get tested for COVID-19. The individual can return to school when:

 

  • Negative Lab based COVID-19 test or alternative diagnosis (healthcare provider)
  • Fever free for 24 hours with no fever reducing medication
  • Symptoms are improving

 

Please Note: These guidelines are subject to change as the pandemic continues to evolve and updated information is received by City and State agencies.

Please Note: Currently, NYC is identified by the CDC as a Low COVID-19 Community Level. If NYC is identified as a High COVID-19 Community Level the mask mandate can be reinstated by city and state health officials.

Please Note: The Office of the Superintendents of Schools for the Diocese of Brooklyn reserves the right to implement COVID health and safety guidelines that go above the required city and state COVID health and safety guidelines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3-8-22