7th Grade FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How will my child’s 7th grade band experience be similar to 6th grade?

Students will perform three concerts in the Concert Hall.

Students will have a band lesson once every six days with one of the Point band directors.

Selected students will have an opportunity to participate in at least one honor band.

Band at Point is another class period in the day, just like math, science, art, etc.

How will my child’s band experience be different in 7th grade?

We will play new, more challenging music. Since we perform 3 concerts there are more songs to learn!

Students will have the opportunity to try jazz band. The directors will give information to students about when jazz band begins. Students will audition to see which jazz band they will be in. Typical jazz instruments include saxophones, trumpets, trombones, percussion, drumset, bass, electric guitar, and piano. 7th graders can start jazz band on their concert instrument and then work on switching (if necessary) to a traditional jazz instrument for 8th or 9th grade.

Students will perform for the Northeast Iowa Bandmasters Association Middle School Large Group Festival (hosted by us in February at the Concert Hall).

Students will have the opportunity to perform a solo for Point's Solo Festival.

Can my child participate in both band and choir or orchestra?

Yes, band is counted as one of your 3 "electives" in your schedule. You can be in up to 2 music classes, and there are multiple sections of each 7th and 8th grade music ensemble to allow for greater flexibility. Band, choir and orchestra will meet everyday. Some students may share a band/choir, band/orchestra, or choir/orchestra period if they want to add another exploratory or advanced level class.

Can my child participate in both band and sports?

Of course! The vast majority of 7th and 8th grade band members participate in at least one sport, with many participating in multiple school and club sports. As avid sports fans ourselves, the Point band directors hope that every student will consider trying multiple sports in 7th grade in addition to band.

What if my child currently plays a school-owned instrument?

Bassoon, Oboe: Students who play bassoon or oboe will rent one from Point. Please contact Mr. Fountain at jfountain@crprairie.org to arrange for an instrument. School rental fee for bassoons/oboes is $50 for one summer and one school year.

Baritone, Tuba, French Horn:  Students who play baritone, tuba, or French horn will play a school-owned instrument at school. School rental fee for French horn, baritone, and tuba is $50 for one school year. A limited number of French horns, baritones, and tubas are available to check out over the summer if students wish to practice at home during the summer. Please contact Mr. Fountain jfountain@crprairie.org to arrange to check out a French horn, baritone, or tuba for the summer, first come, first served. 

Percussion: Students will play a school set of percussion instruments and should continue to use their bell/snare kits to practice at home and should keep their snare drum lesson binder to use next year. School rental fee for percussion is $25 for one school year.

Others: If you need to rent an instrument from the school (flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, alto sax, tenor sax) the fee for one school year is $50. If qualified for free/reduced lunch the fee will be reduced/eliminated. Please contact Mr. Fountain jfountain@crprairie.org to determine availability of an instrument.

HERE IS WHAT SOME OF OUR STUDENTS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT BAND AT PRAIRIE POINT:

"I think 6th graders should sign up for 7th grade band because it is really fun. You get to play harder music and if you do well in lessons you get the chance to attend the solo festival and play with a pianist. You can make tons of new friends and learn new things. I hope you would like to attend band this year!"

  -Rachel DuBois, Flute/Oboe

“Band is about expressing yourself through music. If you continue in Band you can go to honor bands, perform a solo, or you can join the Jazz Band to try out even more new music styles. There are many other opportunities that you get from staying in Band, such as playing at Adventureland in 8th grade, and also playing at Disney World in high school. You might get a scholarship from doing Band, or you might even find a career in playing music like all of the Point Band teachers, even a few of them are in professional bands! So if you continue Band, you could learn new things about yourself and experience things you wouldn't have before. That is why I am asking that you stay in Band, your future self will thank you!” 

  - Max Myers, Trumpet/Percussion

"You should sign up for Band next year because you can have class with friends in other teams, who you won't be able to see as often. Also, it's a more creative class than other ones, so you'll have a better time than your other classes." 

  - Sarah Till, Flute

"You should join band because you get to play more exiting and fun music. So far band has not interfered with any of my sports and I participate in cross-country, baseball (fall and spring), and track. So you get to have fun playing an instrument while still being able to do sports. Please sign up for band it will be really fun and you will enjoy it you just have to try first."

  - Tyler Patten, Alto Saxophone

“The coolest thing is that every instrument plays a different role in the band, flutes can harmonize while trombones could have the melody. We learned that you all play different roles but you're all important to the band.” 

  - Kaylee Frickson, Oboe

“You should continue to play in band because as you play more you become more skilled and you get to play better music. The more you play the more fun you will have every day.”

  - Kieran Kilkenny, Trumpet

“I enjoy just having fun, making friends, and working hard to get new opportunities.”

  - Aleria Neff, Percussion

“I know this is a common answer, but you will learn SO MANY new things, meet so many new people, and play so many cool and interesting pieces of music.”

  - Addison Funke, Clarinet