Dear instrumental student or parent/ guardian:

Throughout the upcoming school year, your child will have the opportunity to participate in many after-school performance programs.  We had over 140 students within the band and orchestra programs this past school year and are excited for September! This letter will explain the important details of the instrumental music program at MEMS. Please read carefully as there are changes from previous years. 

Instrumental music lessons are offered to all seventh and eighth grade students with prior instrument experience.  Your child will receive one lesson within a 6 day rotation.  In order to maximize educational time, one small group lesson is scheduled on a rotating basis to ensure that your child will not miss any subject more than once per month. Students WILL miss academic classes. Please do not worry about missing school work; with the rotating schedule, students miss each class every 6-7 weeks. WIN periods every other day also provide students with time to make up for missed work assignments within core subjects. Participation in a lesson also includes a once a week mandatory band or orchestra rehearsal after-school. Please review the schedules below to ensure you can provide transportation on these rehearsal days.

Please note that although band and orchestra does meet after school, it is possible to participate in the many sports/clubs offered here at MEMS.  All of the music teachers work closely with the various activity supervisors and sport coaches to ensure that students may participate in both activities.  When making your decision about whether or not to participate in the instrumental music program, please do not let the sports or after school activities deter you.  Most of our students are involved in after school sports or clubs and still participate within the ensembles.  

At this time, MEMS does not offer lessons on piano or guitar. Lessons are offered on the following instruments:
Violin
Viola
Cello
String Bass
Bells/ Xylophone
Flute
Clarinet
Bass Clarinet
Tuba
Alto Saxophone
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Trumpet
French Horn
Baritone Horn
Trombone
Percussion (Drums)

Rehearsal Schedule:

• Orchestra with Mrs. Blick: Click HERE to view the tentative schedule
• Seventh Grade Band with Mr. Rusin: TBD
• Eighth Grade Band with Mr. Rusin: TBD

All students are required to have an instrument in proper working order along with the district-approved method books Essential Elements book 1 & 2 by the start of the school year. For more information from the district recommended music rental company, NEMC, please visit the following site: https://www.nemc.com/. You can also arrange your own instrument rental through various privately owned music stores.

*Note: A limited number of school owned instruments are available for students to play free of charge who receive the accommodation of free/reduced lunch through the National School Lunch Program and will be made available on a first come, first serve basis, although not all students can be guaranteed a "loaner" instrument nor can they necessarily be given the instrument of their choice.  Presently available: Violin, Viola, Cello, String Bass, Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Horn, Tenor Sax, Baritone Sax, Trombone, and Tuba.  All students who are using school instruments are expected to participate in Orchestra or Band.  Please be advised that there is a VERY limited number of school instruments available and that most students will have to rent an instrument if they don’t already own one.

Please be sure to fill out the registration form below and submit by Friday, September 11, 2026 to officially sign up for lessons and band/orchestra.  

All students must complete this registration form to officially sign up for band or orchestra, regardless of past participation.

For more information regarding specific programs please email each teacher.

Mrs. Blick (orchestra director)
email: tblick@mersnj.us