Dates
The ALF Instrumental Music program begins the week of September 11, 2023 and continues through May 16, 2024.

Eligibility
Students entering grades 4-6 and attending a La Cañada Unified elementary school are welcome to participate in the ALF Instrumental Music program.  Students new to the area who wish to join the program after registration closes in September, must obtain special permission from the Music Instructor and/or ALF Music Chair.

Classes
Students attend classes once a week before or after school with opportunities for additional sectionals and special practices outside of class.

Instruments & Ensembles
Class instruction is offered in the following instrument groups:

• Brass – baritone, French horn, trumpet, trombone
• Woodwinds – clarinet, flute, oboe, (alto) saxophone
• Percussion – drums, mallets, rhythm instruments
• Strings – violin, viola, cello

For rehearsals and concerts, all the schools are combined into 4 ensemble groups: Beginning Band, Beginning Strings, Concert Band and String Orchestra

Which Class is the Right One?
Beginning classes are intended for students with no music experience with a particular instrument or who have taken classes/lessons but whose skills are limited.  Advanced classes are for students who have taken classes through ALF Instrumental Music for a minimum of one year.  New students who have taken lessons privately or classes outside of ALF should know how to “sight-read” and will need to have approval from the instructor before registering for an advanced class in Percussion 2, Concert Band or String Orchestra.  If you are in doubt about where to place your student, sign them up for a beginning class and the instructor will evaluate their ability and move them up, if appropriate.

Locations
Classes and events are held at the following sites:

• La Cañada Elementary, 4540 Encinas Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011 – Music Room
• Palm Crest Elementary, 5025 Palm Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011 – Multipurpose Room (MPR)
• Paradise Canyon Elementary, 471 Knight Way, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011 – Multipurpose Room (MPR)
• Assistance League of Flintridge, 4607 Oakwood Avenue, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011 – Percussion Class, Sectionals & Special Practices meet in the Chapter Meeting Room (CMR)
• Lanterman Auditorium, 4491 Cornishon Avenue, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011 – Rental Day, Rehearsals, Concerts

Staff
The Instrumental Music program is administered by Assistance League of Flintridge.  There are 4 Instructors and 4 Assistant Instructors, all with extensive and varied backgrounds in music.

Cost
$250 Program Fee – includes instruction, materials, & ALF T-shirt
$250 Rental Fee – if selected
Program and Rental Fees are paid once during registration and are for the entire session, September to May.

Registration
All registration for ALF Instrumental Music is done through the ALF website.  Registration will open on Thursday, August 17, 2023 at 12:00 PM and will close on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at 5:00 PM.  Please do not send your student to class without registering them first.

After Registration
After the registration process is completed, you will receive an email confirming the class for each student and how much was paid.  If you have trouble registering or do not receive this email, please contact the Programs Office at programs@alflintridge.org or 818-790-2211.  After registering, you will have access to your online registration account through the link in your confirmation email.  Use the same login email and password used for registration.  You may go to this account any time to review or correct your family information, print a statement, or change your password. 

Late Registration
It is important that all students be registered prior to the first week of classes for the full benefit of all students and to avoid disruption.  Therefore, late registrants will only be added as an exception and with special permission from the Instructor and/or Music Chair.  A Late Fee may be assessed for students who sign-up after the closing date of September 6, 2023.

Cancelled, Full or Waitlist Classes
Early registration is highly encouraged.  ALF may cancel a class that does not meet minimum student enrollment.  Class size is limited and depends on the number students that can be accommodated in a particular classroom.  Classes that are full will be indicated during the registration process with the word, “WAITLIST” and you won’t be able to select that choice to register.  If you register your student for a Waitlist, you do not have to pay and we will notify you if a spot opens up.  We highly suggest that if your child cannot register for the instrument of choice, you consider an alternative and register for that alternative, regardless of Waitlist status.

Transfers
We realize that mistakes are made and sometimes students simply change their minds. We will transfer a student to a different class, provided the class is still available at the time of the request. You may email to programs@alflintridge.org or call 818-790-2211 to make this request. After the first day of Music classes, transfers will only be made as an exception and with the consent of the Instructor and/or Music Chair.

No Refunds
Assistance League of Flintridge has a NO REFUND policy for program enrollment. We do not offer credits or refunds for partial attendance.  In the event that a class is cancelled by ALF and there is no other class available for that student, a refund will be issued.  Refunds for Instrument Rental may also be offered in the event that an instrument is not available for a student to rent.

COVID-19
ALF is committed to keeping our students healthy and will follow LA County Health and LCUSD COVID-19 protocols.  We are happy to be back on our school campuses, but recognize there may be challenges as guidelines evolve and ask for your patience if we need to adapt to varying requirements. If a class is required to close due to an exposure issue, we will not be able to offer credits or refunds.  If your child is ill, please do not send them to Music class.

Scholarships
A limited number of scholarships are available to La Cañada Unified School District students based on need. For more information and/or application forms, please contact the principal of the LCUSD school your student is presently attending. All information will be held strictly confidential.

Instrument Rental
Instruments, other than percussion kits, are available to rent from Assistance League of Flintridge for $250.  Rental fees are paid during the registration process and instruments are picked up on Rental Day, this year on Saturday, September 9, 2023 in the Lanterman Auditorium parking lot. Summer Rentals are also available for $50.  Unsure you are ready to rent?  No problem.  Go ahead and sign your student up for a class.  You can add instrument rental later by contacting the Programs Office at programs@alflintridge.org or 818-790-2211 but you MUST do it before Wednesday, September 6 at 5:00 PM.

Music Stores
Local music stores offer instrument rentals and accessories.  See the Student Handbook for guidance on how to choose an instrument and for the list of accessories students are required to provide for each instrument.

Instrument Demonstrations
Fourth and fifth grade students in the three LCUSD elementary schools will have the opportunity to see instrument demonstrations at school in August. Students will be introduced to the different instrument families and ALF Instructors will explain about their instrument and demonstrate how it is played.

Informational Parent Meeting
Please plan to attend the Informational Parent Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, August 29 at 7:00 PM at ALF.  Parents of both new and returning music students will benefit from attending this important meeting about the Instrumental Music program.  Topics include the Student Handbook, parent communication, instrument rentals, sectionals, concerts, and much more.  The Parent Meeting is a great opportunity to meet the Music Instructors and to get your questions answered.

Parent Communication
ALF Instrumental Music regularly sends communications and updates to parents via email. Be sure to keep your contact information up-to-date and check your spam filter regularly for emails from active.com, instrumentalmusic@alflintridge.org, programs@alflintridge.org and/or the individual instructors. Do not “unsubscribe” or you may not receive important notifications from ALF. Missed an email?  Throughout the year, we also post the same communications on the individual class pages.

Student Handbook 2023-2024
The ALF Instrumental Music Student Handbook is a guide for families that is updated each year. Topics covered include, “Is the Program Right for Me?”, “What to Bring to Class” and “Practice Tips for Students.”  Be sure to check out this great resource.

Attendance
For the full benefit of the program, students are expected to attend class each week as well as participate in all rehearsals and performances.  They should arrive ON TIME with their instrument, music, and supplies and MUST BE PICKED UP PROMPTLY after each class or event.  If your student is absent, be sure to contact the Music Instructor by email.

Behavior Standards
During the registration process, all families must agree to comply with the Instrumental Music Behavior Standards.

Concerts
All students will participate in concerts held at Lanterman Auditorium in December and May.  Look for specific concert instructions on the Concert page as the concerts approach. This information will also be emailed to parents.

Clothing Guidelines (Subject to Change)

Concert Dress for Winter Lanterman Performance
White Shirt or Blouse
Black Pants, Skirts or Dresses 
Black Shoes, Black Socks

Concert Dress for Spring Lanterman Performance
ALF T-Shirt, Black Pants or Skirt

Clothing for Sectionals & Rehearsals
School Clothes

ALF Instrumental Music
instrumentalmusic@alflintridge.org
818-790-2211