Staff Directory

Music

During the week, all students grade K-5 will have a general music class during the school day with Mr. Pendergrass in the music room once a week.

Instrumental music instruction for students in grades 4-5 is also offered during the school day as a pull-out program. Stay tuned for information about how to sign-up for instrumental music.

If you Enrolled by the Oct 3 deadline, you should have received an email on Oct 6 about your child’s participation in the program. Please contact me if you did not receive this email so I can double check your email address and contact info.

Music with Mr. Pendergrass

Music Specialist, Seattle Public School
Monday: Louisa Boren STEM, Gr. 4/5 instrumental
Tuesday: AM-Alki/PM-Pathfinder, Gr. 4/5 instrumental
Wednesday-Friday: Fairmount Park, General Music, Gr. 4/5 instrumental

Welcome to my simple webpage for information about music with Mr. Pendergrass. Scroll down to see the latest information. Cheers!

~Mr. Pendergrass

October 7, 2022

Mr. Pendergrass will determine how many students and classes he can accommodate with his schedule at four different schools.  Enrollment numbers are very high this year and per the district policy “The program is for 5th graders and for 4th graders if space is available. The program serves a limited number of students. To support equitable access within the boundaries of the program, EIM uses a lottery enrollment model. This means that if more students submit enrollment forms than space allows, there is a chance a student won’t be able to participate in the program this year.”

Everyone who enrolled will get an email after October 3 letting them know if there is space for them to participate in EIM or if there is not enough space to participate in EIM this year. Thank you for your patience as I sort through the list (at last count, nearly 260 students interested…).

Instrumental Music for Grades 4 and 5 with Mr. Pendergrass

Some clarifications and details

Dear Families-

Thank you for your interest in the Elementary Instrumental music program. Now that you have enrolled, here is what happens next:

• After the October 3, 2022 enrollment deadline, Mr. Pendergrass will determine how many students and classes he can accommodate with his schedule at four different schools.  Enrollment numbers are very high this year and per the district policy“The program is for 5th graders and for 4th graders if space is available. The program serves a limited number of students. To support equitable access within the boundaries of the program, EIM uses a lottery enrollment model. This means that if more students submit enrollment forms than space allows, there is a chance a student won’t be able to participate in the program this year.”
• Everyone who enrolled will get an email after October 3 letting them know if there is space for them to participate in EIM or if there is not enough space to participate in EIM this year. Thank you for your patience as I sort through the list (at last count, nearly 200 students interested…).

After you receive an email that your student is in the program:

• I will confirm a) the instrument your student will be playing (Choice 1 or 2). b) what time and the location of their weekly 30 minute lesson.

Getting an Instrument for your Student:

• After you receive an email that your student can participate and what instrument they will play, there are some options for getting an instrument for your student to begin instruction:

Option 1 – Borrow an instrucment from the school district: Families can fill out an instrument loan form to borrow an instrument for the school year at no cost, but there are a limited number of instruments. If your family can get an instrument for your child with Option 2 or 3 below and save a school district instrument for those most in need, that would be helpful.

Option 2 – Rent from a local music store: Many music stores offer instrument rentals for families. This is a great option to try out an instrument on a month-to-month basis since the cost of owning a band or orchestra instrument is high. These rental instruments are maintained by the shop and may even have a rent-to-own or repair option included in the monthly fee.  As a SPS employee, I am not allowed to suggest a particular vendor, but a simple google search “instrument rentals West Seattle” should provide you some options. For violin and cello players: these instruments come in different sizes and a music store will determine if your child needs a quarter, half, three-quarter or full size instrument.  The flute, clarinet, trumpet, and trombone all come in one size.

Option 3 – Purchase or borrow an instrument: Some families may be able to borrow an instrument from a relative or friend. *Please make sure it gets checked out by someone who is familiar with the instrument.  I often tell the story of how my grandmother was so excited to give me her violin she played when she was a child; when we opened it up, the bridge was busted and the strings old and rusted. Grandma meant well, but the instrument was unplayable. For some instruments like flutes and clarinets that have not been in use for some time, they may just need a small repair to get working. For trumpets, valves should move easily. For trombones, slides in good working order with not a lot of dents. I’m happy to assess an instrument for you if you are unsure about its condition.

If you want to purchase an instrument, please consider the following: unless you or a family member has extensive knowledge about a particular band or orchestra instrument, I don’t recommend purchasing something online sight unseen. I have seen families purchase clarinets and flutes that seem like a better deal than renting but have spent more money on repairs for cheaply made instruments. “You get what you pay for” is true when it comes to band and orchestra instruments. If you are thinking of buying a used instrument from a third party, bring someone with you who knows the instrument.

Band and Orchestra Method Books

Each student will have a band or orchestra book provided for them by the district. No need to purchase one this year.