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Welcome to the AASD Beginning Band Program at Classical! This is a very exciting opportunity for your student...the moment in which he/she can join the more than 1000 AASD students that call themselves band members!
Like any other endeavor, being a successful band member requires hard work, dedication, and parental support, but the payoff lasts a lifetime. Band participation strengthens confidence and pride, serves as an emotional release, generates happiness, positively affects other academics, aids in the development of small & large motor skills, and provides space for creativity and imagination.
Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions about Beginning Band:
How will lessons take place?
Students have a weekly group lesson during the school day. Attendance at ALL lessons is expected.
Each group lesson is 15-30 minutes in length depending on class size and individual school schedules.
Lessons are scheduled in like-instrument groups (a group of all clarinets, for example).
Due to the nature of the course, students will miss another class to attend lessons. Band teachers work closely with classroom teachers when scheduling lessons.
Will the students get to meet together as a full band?
Full band rehearsals will begin once the beginning band lessons are up and running in the fall.
Full band rehearsals take place once per week during the school day and last approximately 30 minutes.
The exact day & time for full band class varies at each school depending on teacher availability and the building schedule.
Students are expected to attend ALL rehearsals, even if he/she forgot his/her instrument, music binder, lesson book, etc.
What is the time commitment? How much practice is expected?
Each student’s practice must be consistent and meaningful so that the week’s lesson is well-prepared.
Daily practice is necessary for success (about 100 minutes per week, spread across 5-7 days).
Students are responsible to practice as required and make an effort toward progress.
How much does it cost to participate in band?
Most families choose to rent an instrument from a reputable music store (such as Heid Music) the first year. Rental costs range from $30 to $75 per month depending on the instrument selected.
Flutes, Clarinets, Trumpets, and Trombones are the least expensive instruments to rent; Saxophones and Oboes are the most expensive.
Tubas, Baritones, Horns, and Bassoons can be rented from AASD at a cost of $120 per school year.
AASD also maintains a limited inventory of other instruments for students with a financial need. NO ONE is turned away from band because of financial concerns.
Can my student participate in both band and strings?
YES!!! A motivated student can do well in both classes!
How do teachers match students with instruments?
Teachers will be meeting with students one-on-one to help match students with instruments based on student interest and natural physical attributes.
What else do I need to know about instruments & supplies?
At the conclusion of the instrument fitting, your student will be given an “Instruments & Accessories” handout containing information about their selected instrument, method book, instrument accessories, and general supplies.
During your student’s first few lessons, the band teacher will demonstrate all care and maintenance procedures. Every student’s method book includes access to an online library of instrument care videos so parents can also be informed about proper instrument maintenance.
My student has indicated that they may be interested in playing percussion. Is there anything special that I need to know about percussion?
Percussionists actually study TWO different instruments simultaneously--snare drum and keyboard percussion. Students who select percussion are required to rent a percussion kit which includes a practice xylophone and a practice pad.
Because of the demands of learning two instruments, a potential percussionist needs to be a dedicated musician with a strong work ethic. Also, at least two years of piano lessons is strongly encouraged because it helps in learning keyboard percussion.
PLEASE NOTE: Drum set is not used in elementary band.
How am I kept informed of my student’s progress?
Mrs. Brown is committed to responding promptly to questions/concerns. Because I am a traveling teacher, email is usually the best way to reach me.
Progress Reports will be sent home at the end of every quarter.
If my student doesn’t join band this year, can he/she join later?
We strongly urge students to start Beginning Band in 5th Grade. Band is a progressive course with each year’s skills built upon the previous year. While not impossible, joining a year late means that a student has to master twice as many skills in order to be adequately prepared for middle school band. This can result in a very discouraging experience for the child. It is much easier to be a beginner when everyone else is a beginner too. Don’t wait; join band NOW!
THANK YOU for supporting and nurturing your child’s musical journey!
The Beginning of the Beginning Instrument Basics
The Beginning of the Beginning Instrument Basics
Since AASD beginning band students only see their teachers once a week, it is helpful to have a good model at home to reinforce some of the concepts students work on in school. These videos are intended as supplemental materials to aid the student in at-home practice on their instrument during those first few important weeks of instruction.
Since AASD beginning band students only see their teachers once a week, it is helpful to have a good model at home to reinforce some of the concepts students work on in school. These videos are intended as supplemental materials to aid the student in at-home practice on their instrument during those first few important weeks of instruction.
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