6th and 7th Grade Beginning Band Information
Dear Parents of Rising 6th and 7th Grade Beginning Band Students,
My name is Mary Kathryn Bowman Choat and I am the director of bands at Hanes Magnet School. Almost all students that join beginning band have NEVER played an instrument before, so this is truly a fresh start and great opportunity for ALL 6th graders. Playing an instrument and being a part of the Hanes Band is extremely rewarding and fun! The Hanes band is a very successful and high-achieving band as well as an exciting educational opportunity.
In 6th grade band at Hanes, students are given the option of: flute, clarinet, trumpet, and trombone. Percussion is also offered but is extremely limited (less than 10 spots) and students are typically selected by audition in the spring (of their 5th grade year) at our mouthpiece nights. As 6th and 7th grade students progress, you will see more instruments in the band room and by 8th grade, the band basically has all wind instruments represented from oboe/bassoon to saxophone and french horn to tuba.
Please see the band handbook on this website for information regarding grading, attendance, lockers, etc.
Information about private lessons can also be found on the website. Private lessons are a very easy way to quickly increase your child’s musical abilities. One private lesson is equal to almost one month of band class due to the individual and focused nature of a one-on-one private music session. Please let me know if your child is interested in starting private lessons!
Required Classroom Materials:
Pencil
Paper
1" Binder
Sheet protectors
Standard of Excellence Book 1 (please make sure you get the one specific to your child’s instrument!)
Instrument Specific Materials:
Flute: cleaning rod, cleaning cloth
Clarinet: swab, cork grease, three VAN DOREN reeds (Size 2 1⁄2), and reed guards/case
Trumpets: 5C mouthpiece (typically comes with rental), valve oil, tuning slide grease, cleaning snake, and mouthpiece brush
Trombones: 6 ½ AL mouthpiece (typically comes with rental), slide lubricant (Slide-O-Mix) and spray bottle, tuning slide grease, cleaning snake, and mouthpiece brush
Percussion (students were selected by audition only for this instrument choice): "bell kit” (includes set of bells, bell stand and practice pad) and the Innovative Percussion Intermediate Mallet Pack OR VicFirth EP2 Intermediate Mallet Pack**
**If you purchase one of these packs, you will not need to purchase your child any additional mallets in future years - they include all required mallets and snare drum sticks that your child will need until high school.**
Other Materials (not required but highly suggested):
Tuner/metronome: these can be purchased as separate items or one; the Korg TM-40 is a very good metronome/tuner combo
Music stand: for at-home practice
I am looking forward to a wonderful year with the HMS Bands!
Mary Kathryn Bowman Choat
Hanes Magnet School
Director of Bands