This Covid school situation is hard, isn’t it? Hopefully you and your family are developing a routine by now and starting to get into your stride. At the very least, I hope that you are enjoying hearing your child making some great music. Or for those with beginning band kids, some interesting sounds!
Teaching a musical instrument is challenging in the best of times and these are not those times. In anticipation of the difficulties the pandemic was going to place on our kids and Ms. Bishop, this past spring the Band Booster organization, to which every parent of a band student belongs, decided to purchase Smart Music for each student. Smart Music is a web-based music education tool that provides built-in practice tools, access to an enormous library of music and allows Ms. Bishop to assign practice exercises and songs. It is an invaluable aid. Typically, an individual purchase of this program costs $40, which is well worth the support it provides. Ms. Bishop was able to receive a significant educator discount, which brought the cost down to around $25 per license after including service fees.
$25 can still be a lot of money, if you are struggling to make ends meet, which many of us are these days. If this is the case for your family, please know that Band Boosters has reserves and will be glad to freely provide your child this wonderful program. However, if you are in a more secure economic place, we would greatly welcome a donation to help offset the cost. $25 will cover your child. $40 – which is the usual cost of Smart Music – will provide for another. Donations to help with this purchase allows funds to be allocated for other expenses, such as instrument repairs. If you have seen your child open their instrument case, you might understand why this is so important. Routine maintenance is also important, and both are a significant part of our Band Booster budget. Donations of any amount will be greatly appreciated and will go directly to the purchase of this tool.
If you are able to contribute, please use this link:
https://amsbandboosters.square.site/product/smartmusic-subscription-donation/2
If you have any questions or difficulties, please do not hesitate to contact a board member for more information.
Sincerely,
Jan White
Band Booster Secretary and Communications Chair.
AMS Band Boosters 