This Program Is Currently On Hold. Stay Tuned For Updates...
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This Program Is Currently On Hold. Stay Tuned For Updates... 🎺
FEF has been offering After School Band (ASB) for 4th-6th graders at all FUSD elementary schools for over 20 years.
ASB is a great opportunity for students to get an introduction to music instruction. Our primary goal is to provide the beginning band experience to every student in Fremont Unified that has an interest in learning music.
The After-School Band Program provides both beginning and intermediate instruction on woodwind, brass and percussion instruments for 4th-6th graders at all 27 of Fremont Unified School District's elementary schools.
This section of the Fremont Education Foundation site offers detailed information about our program. We invite you to explore it!
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Band classes start between mid-October and early November and end in April or May. Starting dates & times of band sessions vary depending on school site; however, most begin 10 minutes after school dismissal.
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Instruments: Students will wait until the first day of class to sign up for an instrument to play. Students are responsible for obtaining their own instrument and purchasing an instruction book. Some instruments may have prerequisites. Parents, please rent or purchase instruments from a music store only. Buying from Big Box stores or online can be inexpensive, but the instruments are low-quality and cause problems for the students We want a great learning experience for your child and helping them to succeed in music starts with a quality instrument.
Note to Returning Students: Students continuing in the program from last year MUST re-register to participate this year. Please bring your instrument and book to the first day of class. Be prepared to audition for a spot in the Intermediate class. If you would like to switch to a different instrument or play a second one, sign up for the Beginning band class to start the year and the Band instructor will work with you to decide which class is the best fit.
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Parents and students must read, sign and turn in the After School Band 2019-2020 Policies form to their band instructor on the first day of band class.
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Can You Help? Absolutely!
FEF is asking parents to help the success of the ASB program by donating time, money or both. If you can help, please email our After School Band Coordinator at president@fremont-education.org.
Questions?
Email us at president@fremont-education.org
How you can help
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The ASB program is not paid for by your tax dollars! It is entirely funded by the generosity of our band families and community members. With your support, bands will keep on playing, on all 27 elementary school campuses in the Fremont Unified School District--directly benefiting over 1,000 students!
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Donate/Sponsor
With over 1,000 students on our rosters and an ever growing demand for more classes and more weeks, we gratefully accept contributions of $250, $150 or $50--whatever you can afford. Every donation counts! And, remember to check if your employer offers matching. It can often double the impact of your donation!
Mail your donation/sponsorship to:
Fremont Education Foundation
ASB Program
39120 Argonaut Way, #381
Fremont, CA 94538 -
Volunteer
Volunteering to assist with the After School Band program is a meaningful way to support student musicians and the school community—any amount of time you can give is welcome and greatly appreciated. Whether you can help for a single rehearsal, a few hours a month, or more regularly, volunteers assist with tasks like instrument setup and tuning, passing out music, supervising rehearsals, helping with choreography or sectionals, organizing sheet music, or providing administrative support for concerts and events.
No prior music experience is required—just a willingness to help, a positive attitude, and basic reliability—and your contribution will directly enrich the students’ learning and performance opportunities.
Become a Band Instructor
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The FEF After School Band has performed annually at the Fremont 4th of July Parade and Niles Festival of Lights Parade almost every year! They have also performed at their schools, at community Tree-Lightings, at the Fremont Senior Center, and other local events.
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Position Information
The after-school program, funded through a grant from the FREMONT EDUCATION FOUNDATION, is scheduled to run for 24 weeks, beginning in October.
Classes with high student demand (40+ students) will have 2 one-hour classes per site, one beginning and one intermediate.
Sites with lower student demand will have a single combination class lasting for 90 minutes.
Compensation includes time for setup, clean up and instructional preparation. The pay rate is 2 hours for a straight beginning or intermediate class and 2.5 hours for a combination class.
Certificated instructors, music teachers, skilled musicians, or candidates with advanced music degrees are welcome to apply.
Multiple days available.
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Teacher Responsibilities
The Fremont Education Foundation values diversity. Candidates who have a demonstrated ability to relate to diverse student populations and who have experience working in bilingual environments are strongly encouraged to apply.*
Responsibilities Include:
Teach band instruments (woodwinds, brass, and percussion) in elementary schools in Fremont Unified School District. Classes meet after the school day.
Prepare students to participate in one or two public performances a year.
Report to the After School Band Coordinator and the Fremont Unified School District representative.
*Based on program availability.
ASB Concerts
The FEF After School Band has performed annually at the Fremont 4th of July Parade and Niles Festival of Lights Parade almost every year! They have also performed at their schools, at community Tree-Lightings, at the Fremont Senior Center, and other local events.
Niles Festival Of Lights Parade
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
Fremont Fourth Of July Parade
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
Summer Concert At Pacific Commons
2017
FEF After School Band Class Policies
Who We Are
The Fremont Education Foundation (FEF) is the sponsor of this music program. FEF is a non-profit foundation, formed to encourage increased community involvement and investment in our schools. We are an independent foundation that works closely with, but is separate from, the Fremont Unified School District. The funding for this program comes from individual parent/family and community donations generated through a variety of fundraising drives including optional/voluntary donations and other activities. We need your support and appreciate your voluntary monetary contribution and/or volunteer participation.
Our Program Success
We hope to continue to offer this program in the future for your children and others in your community. Please continue to support our program through monetary donations and volunteering. If you'd like to help, please call 510-659-2561 or email president@fremont-education.org. We rely heavily on your support to make this program a reality!
Program Objectives
Provide a fun, pleasant learning experience which fosters a lifelong love of music.
Provide basic instruction on how to play the instrument selected including correct finger/hand positioning, posture, embouchure, breathing, etc. Instruments offered include: brass, woodwind and percussion. Strings are not covered.
Teach how to care for instrument.
Teach how to read music (notes, counting, and rhythm).
Provide music assignments for practice.
Have participants perform in a concert showcasing their abilities.
Behavior Policy
Participants are expected to conduct themselves as they would during normal school hours. All participants are expected to be respectful, considerate, listen, follow instructions, and conduct themselves in a manner that will not disrupt others during class instruction. The instructor will follow FEF policies regarding participant discipline. Failure to follow these policies may result in the participant being dropped from class.
Attendance Policy
Attendance will be taken. If your child will be absent, call the school absence line and say that your child will be missing band and that the band instructor needs to be notified. The instructor will follow FEF policies regarding attendance. Failure to follow these policies may result in the participant being dropped from class.
Pick Up Policy
Parents or guardians are responsible for their child when music class is released. Please arrive 5 min. before release time to hear any announcements. Children must be picked up promptly, so please carefully note when classes end. Note: To allow your child to return to his/her on-site day care program or to walk home alone, the parent or guardian must give a written note of permission to the band director and the day care provider.
Home Practice Policy
Participants are expected to practice assignments given by the band director. Time varies as to what the participant is comfortable doing, but consistent daily practice of about 10 minutes every day is quite effective. A progress report of each participant by the teacher will be made at the semester grading periods. If the participant consistently fails to practice, causing class disruption, the instructor will issue a written notice to the participant and parents. If the problem persists, the instructor may drop the participant from class.
Class Observation
If you wish to visit the classroom, please have siblings wait outside the classroom. We ask visitors to please be respectful to the class and teacher.
Band Parent
Parent volunteers are needed to help with classroom set up/clean up, taking attendance, etc. Band teachers may need parents with musical experience to assist participants especially in combination classes. The program is in need of at least one parent from each band to be a liaison with Fremont Education Foundation as an information contact. Please contact your band instructor or email president@fremont-education.org to help.
Music Books and Supplies
Participants are required to provide their own instruments, either by rental or ownership.
FEF After School Band Supply Information
Music Book for American & Mission area class sites: Standard of Excellence, Beginning (red) with CD.
Music Book for Irvington, Kennedy & Washington area class sites: Essential Elements 2000 Plus with CD & DVD.
RENTING OR PURCHASING AN INSTRUMENT: The following are recommended suggestions for renting or purchasing instruments. Most local music stores have a “rent to own program” that allows monthly payments toward the purchase of a quality instrument with no financial penalty if you decide to return it. We highly recommend renting instruments at this stage. As participants grow and learn more about music, we encourage exploration of other instruments. Please do not buy from internet sites or non-music stores (i.e. Target, Walmart or eBay), as you may get a non-working or very poorly made instrument which can cause frustration for your child and be costly or impossible to repair.
Recommended for ALL instruments: Chromatic tuner, metronome, and music stand for home.
Trumpet: Good Instrument brands: Yamaha, Bach, and King. Purchase a 5C mouthpiece and a cleaning kit, including valve oil and slide grease.
Trombone: Good instrument brands: Yamaha, Conn, Bach, and King. Purchase a 6 ½ AL mouthpiece, slide cream, slide grease and small water spray bottle.
Baritone or Euphonium Horn: These instruments are a good alternate to the trombone and an excellent steppingstone towards learning the tuba. Good instrument brands: Yamaha, King, Bach, and Conn. Purchase a 6 ½ AL mouthpiece, a cleaning kit and valve oil.
French Horn: It is recommended that participants learning this instrument study with a private teacher. Learning the trumpet first is often a good idea. Purchase a cleaning kit, valve oil, slide grease, and chromatic tuner.
Flute: Good instrument brands: Armstrong, Gemeinhardt, Yamaha, and Emerson. Purchase a flute cleaning kit.
Clarinet: Your instrument can be either plastic or wood. The directors recommend starting with plastic since wood is much more expensive. As a participant progresses, you may upgrade to a “Clarks Fobes Debut” mouthpiece. Purchase at least six “size 2”reeds, a reed holder and a cleaning kit including a silk or cotton swab. Good instrument brands: Yamaha, Vito Buffet, Leblanc and Hollywood Winds (Unison) Good reed brands: Vandoren and Rico Royal. Avoid Jupiter brands. Their tone holes tend to be too big for young fingers.
Alto Saxophone: Saxophone participants benefit from previous clarinet experience. Playing clarinet first and then switching at winter vacation or the 2nd year is recommended. Good instrument brands: Yamaha and Hollywood Winds (Unison). Purchase six “size 2” reeds, a reed holder and a cleaning kit.
Percussion: Previous piano experience is recommended. We teach bells, snare drum, & bass drum. Participants need to get ALL items: a snare drum, stand, a pair of 5B wood tip drum sticks, 2-1/2 octave set of bells, bell stand, mallets, 8” practice pad and metronome.
~ DOWNLOAD, SIGN AND TURN IN TO YOUR INSTRUCTOR ON THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS ~