Parent & Student Handbook

Other Musical Opportunities

In addition to the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association events, there are many other excellent non-PMEA events and opportunities outside of South Allegheny High School the band students may choose to participate in.

These activities would include other All-Star Bands or Orchestras such as:

Since these activities are outside of the school district, students are responsible to pay all related fees and expenses. Transportation to and from all auditions, rehearsals and concerts are the responsibility of the individual family.

There are also many summer camps for high school aged musicians throughout the country. These camps offer single or multiple week stays with a wide variety of musical interests and activities.

There are also many music scholarships offered by different sponsors. These scholarships are mostly achieved by successfully completing a competitive performance audition.

All information about these events and activities will be posted on the band director's office window. It is the individual student's responsibility to frequently check this information and act in a timely manner for their participation.

Private Lessons

Many parents ask me for my opinion regarding private lessons on the student's individual instrument. My answer is always the same: no matter what the current skill/ability level of the student is, private lessons can make a big difference in their success. But there are several qualifications to this answer. First and foremost, the student must be committed to improving, and this means dedication to a daily practice routine. Secondly, finding a qualified private teacher, a person who "majored" on that particular instrument at a reputable music school. Instructors should be avoided who teach outside their individual area of expertise. You certainly would not hire a plumber to fix your computer.

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