Future Band Members
Welcome to the Polk panther Band!
ELEMENTARY TOURs
TBA (December/January)
Members of the Polk Band will be visiting the elementary schools to teach the 5th grade students about the instruments they can choose to learn!
INSTRUMENT SELECTION DATES
Monday, April 24th - 5:00-8:00 PM - Polk Cafeteria
Wednesday, May 3rd - 5:00-7:30 PM - Polk Band Room
We will set up times for new band students to meet the band directors and choose their instrument!
INSTRUMENT CHOICES
Flute
The flute is the highest-pitched instrument of the beginning band with a bright, clear sound. It is played by blowing air across an opening and moving fingers to change the pitch.
Physical Characteristics: a slight "frown" to the upper lip with no tear drop shape in the middle, agile fingers, and no extreme overbite of the jaw.
Oboe
The oboe is similar in appearance to a clarinet, but it is played using a double reed instead of a single reed to produce sound. Soloistic and melodious, the oboe is a unique member of the band and only a few students each year will be selected to play it.
Physical Characteristics: no extreme over or under bite, agile fingers
Bassoon
The bassoon is played with a double reed and is a larger, lower sounding instrument. With its dignified and majestic sound, the bassoon is also a unique member of the band with only a few special students selected to play it each year.
Physical Characteristics: a slight overbite, agile fingers, a medium to large hand span.
Clarinet
The clarinet uses a single reed and a mouthpiece to produce its sound. With an extensive range, the rich and lustrous sound of the clarinet is very popular choice for band students.
Physical Characteristics: the ability to make a flat chin, agile fingers
Saxophone
Although it gives the impression of being a brass instrument, the saxophone belongs to the woodwind family and produces its smooth sound with the help of a single reed. All beginners start on the alto sax, with some students getting the opportunity to move to the tenor or baritone saxes at the end of their first year.
Physical Characteristics: the ability to make a flat chin, agile fingers
Trumpet
The trumpet is the highest member of the brass family and produces a bright, clear sound. It is played by buzzing into a small mouthpiece and has three valves.
Physical Characteristics: thin and even lips, slight overbite is okay
French Horn
The French horn is also a brass instrument that is played by the use of a small mouthpiece similar to the trumpet. Students with a good ear for music should consider playing the French horn.
Physical Characteristics: thin and even lips, slight overbite is okay, the ability to match pitch
Trombone
Like the other brass instruments, sound is produced by buzzing into a mouthpiece; however, the trombone has a single long slide instead of valves. The slide is not marked with notches, so players must rely on their ears for correct positioning.
Physical Characteristics: slightly fuller lips, slight overbite is okay, the ability to match pitch
Euphonium
The euphonium (you-phone-knee-yum) is also known as the baritone. It is a member of the brass family and looks like a small version of a tuba. Its sound is similar to that of a trombone, but it uses valves like a trumpet instead of a slide.
Physical Characteristics: medium to full lips, slight overbite is okay, the ability to sit up straight
Tuba
The tuba is the most important instrument in the band. Being the lowest of all the wind instrument, it provides the foundation for the entire band sound. Beginners start on a 3/4 size tuba that is easy to handle.
Physical Characteristics: fuller lips, ability to sit up straight
Percussion
Percussionists learn to play a variety of instruments other than drums including mallet instruments, such as the xylophone and marimba, and accessory instruments, like the triangle and tambourine. While not a requirement, piano experience is particularly helpful to a percussionist as it will help with learning mallet instruments.
Physical Characteristics: coordination and high gross and fine motor skills
Student Quotes:
"Band is my favorite class of the day!"
"Band is like one big, loud family."
"Band is fun. You get to play cool music and be with your friends."
"Band is awesome! You get to play fun music and the teachers are great."
"I love playing my instrument everyday!"
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
My child has had no instrumental music training. Can he still be in band?
YES! We teach the beginning band students the basic fundamental aspects of playing a musical instrument and continue this teaching process through high school.
Can my child participate in athletics while taking band?
YES! The administration, coaches and directors make every effort to avoid conflicts in scheduling so that students who wish to participate in both activities may do so.
Can my child participate in choir or theatre while taking band?
YES! The administration, teachers and directors make every effort to avoid conflicts in scheduling so that students who wish to participate in both activities may do so.
When do the band classes meet?
Beginner Band meets as a regular class for 50 minutes at different times throughout the school day. Students are grouped into band classes according to what instrument they play. Skilled developed during beginner band are to prepare students for 7th and 8th grade band.
What is the after-school commitment for beginning band students?
Beginners are required to attend only five (5) performances their first year: a fall demonstration concert, a winter concert, a Music Festival in the spring (during school), a solo contest in May and a Spring Concert. There will also be a rehearsal the day before our Winter Concert and Music Festival performance.
Should I rent or purchase an instrument?
Renting an instrument will give your child the opportunity to begin in band with only a small initial investment. Your child can have the advantages of a brand new instrument, such as a pride of ownership, freedom from error due to poor equipment, and the opportunity to be the best player he/she can be by having the best available instrument for his/her age level. Your child will have the instrument and mouthpiece recommended by the band directors. The instrument can be returned to the company any time without further obligation.
Where is the music store?
MUSIC & ARTS CENTER, 500 E. FM 3040, Suite 121, LEWISVILLE, TX., 972-315-8400
Services offered by Music & Arts include: traveling to the schools to service their customers, free maintenance service and repairs during the instrument’s warranty period, factory trained, professionally trained, and completely equipped repair shop. Instruments are made available to you on a rental or purchase agreement. Music & Arts has no agreement with the school or with any band director other than the understanding that they will come to the school regularly to provide efficient service to their customers.
May I purchase an instrument from another source?
Of course you are free to purchase an instrument from any other source. There are other brands of instruments available for less money; however, they may be inferior in quality of workmanship and materials. This first year is very critical that the instrument plays and does not hold the student back. The store you deal with should have a repair shop and be able to service the instrument after you purchase it. The recommended mouthpiece should be included. An unsatisfactory mouthpiece can be a detriment to a student’s progress.
May I purchase a used instrument?
Yes, but care must be taken not to purchase an instrument whose condition would be a stumbling block to your child. Please consult with one of the band directors concerning the condition of the instrument before you buy it. We would still strongly urge you to purchase the brand, model, and mouthpiece on our recommended list of instruments.
What happens next year?
If you rent or purchase an instrument from Music & Arts Center, the instrument will be delivered to the school prior to the first day of classes, so that the band directors can issue the instrument and supplies to the student. The director will allow the student to take the instrument home AFTER proper care and maintenance has been taught.
WE WILL BEGIN FROM SCRATCH, NO PRIOR MUSICAL KNOWLEDGE IS REQUIRED.