Be part of the Alvin Junior High Band!

FAQS ABOUT BEGINNING BAND

1. When does band class meet?

​Beginning band meets as a regular class at different times throughout the school day for the entire school year. Students are grouped in classes according to what instrument they play. The teacher-student ratio is kept low to facilitate individual supervision of students' progress. Skills developed during beginner band are to prepare students for 7th and 8th grade band, so diligent practice during the school year is a must.

2. What instruments are offered?

Beginners are started on flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba and percussion. We will help you choose the instrument that is best for you at our Band Interview Nights in the Spring.

​3. Is any previous musical training necessary?

No. We teach the basics of reading music as well as playing an instrument. As students progress, you will be able to recognize familiar tunes that they play for you. Their progress culminates in the Spring Concert at the end of the year.

4. How can my child be successful in Band?

The most important requirement for success is the desire to succeed. We begin students from a very basic yet detailed approach to learning the instrument. Students are taught basic fundamental building blocks that will make them successful through their senior year and beyond!

5. When do students need instruments?

Instruments will be needed on the first full week of school. We will have a music company attend our instrument selection meeting for you to reserve an instrument for fall. If you aren't able to set up your rental on those nights, don't wait too long to rent your child's instrument. Most music companies run out of stock in July and it takes longer to get your instrument - it may not be ready by the start of school if you wait too long.

6. Should I rent or purchase an instrument?

It’s up to you. 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 beginner model instrument, such as pride of ownership, freedom from error due to poor equipment, and the opportunity to be the best player they can be by having the best available instrument for their age level. Your child will have the instrument and mouthpiece recommended by the band directors. After their beginner year, most instruments can be upgraded to a professional level model.

7. What about buying used instruments?

Some used instruments are good bargains. However, you could possibly end up spending more money on repairs than the instrument is worth. For this reason, we ask that, if you do purchase a used instrument, try to let a Alvin Junior High Band director examine it prior to purchase. Local music stores and former band students are excellent sources of used instruments. We have found that instruments from pawn shops tend to be of dubious quality. WARNING: Please do not purchase a musical instrument from a department store. These instruments tend to be poorly made, and once broken are usually not repairable. Again, we recommend that you RENT an instrument the first year from a reputable music company. We INSIST on every student having the recommended mouthpiece so that no student has a competitive advantage over another and so all students sound the same.

8. Are there any school owned instruments available?

Yes. The school provides the more expensive instruments: tuba, euphonium, french horn, oboe, and bassoon. These are assigned on the basis of aptitude, suitability, and availability - NOT financial need. Parents whose child is selected to play one of these school owned instruments are required to pay a $80 per year usage fee. They will also be required to purchase necessary accessories such as a mouthpiece, reeds, books, valve oil. Due to the unique nature and difficulty of the oboe, bassoon, and french horn, it is critical that they take weekly private lessons.

9. Can my child participate in both athletics and band at the same?

YES! If it fits into your class schedule, we make it work! There are many middle school/junior high students who are in band, athletics, and other organizations. Band directors, teachers, and coaches all work together to make schedules work for the benefit of the student.

10. Are there any extra rehearsals required? Concerts?

Beginners are required to attend only a few performances outside of school. There will only be two after school rehearsals prior to the Winter Concert and two prior to the Spring Concert. Other than these few performances and rehearsals, there are no after school responsibilities. We also have a variety of fun/social events throughout the year and even more in 7th and 8th grade band with a few contests and competitions throughout the year.

11. Will my child be required to practice at home?

Yes. We ask for 20 to 30 minutes of practice at home, 3 to 5 times a week. Have your child play for you what they learned in class that week. Be encouraging, it may sound unrecognizable, but soon those weird sounds will turn into beautiful music.

12. Are private lessons available? Are they required?

Private lessons are strongly encouraged for all students, but aren't required. If your child takes private lessons, he/she will get one-on-one instruction from a professional musician/educator. Lessons are held once a week and can help challenge faster-paced students and strengthen slower-paced students. Lessons are very important and are one of the backbones of our program.

13. Why do some beginning band classes have limited enrollment?

Some of our band classes have limited enrollment due to the availability of school owned instruments. We also limit enrollment in some classes in order to fill out normal band instrumentation. Each grade level needs proper instrumentation to play the level of music literature that our performing bands play. We also need to send a proper ratio of every instrument to the Alvin High School Band.