What Is Band?

Who should Join?

Band begins in fifth grade and instruments will be selected in the spring. The students' desire to succeed and the motivation to practice consistently will solely determine success on an instrument. Students are expected to practice 5 to 6 days per week for 20 to 30 minutes each session in order to learn the needed skills to play their instrument. Home practice is the foundation of our program.

How are Instruments Selected?

Instrument selection is based on the student's personal choice, physical characteristics (jaw structure, lip formation, hand and finger size), and the instruments needed to provide a well-balanced band. Mr. Shervey will go through the choices for each student and confirm the instrument your child has selected. Please remember that every child is different and not everyone is necessarily well suited for his/her first choice.

A balanced band of 100 students should contain the following:

10-20 Flutes
20-30 Clarinets
7-15 Alto Saxes
4-8 French Horns
15-30 Trumpets
15-30 Trombones
4-8 Baritones
4-8 Tubas
3-5 Percussionists

As you can see, depending on the size of the band some sections can get larger. However, instruments such as Percussion and Alto Sax have limits and if they are exceeded it greatly affects the sound of the band. Keep in mind that Percussion requires the practice of two instruments daily. Piano experience is recommended as it helps with the learning of note names for mallets.

Music Store Instruments

The following instruments are rented or purchased from a music store. All three music stores come out to our school district each week. Each will offer specifics about their instrument rental program.

Listed below are the music stores that we use here in District 196 as well as the contact person to get an instrument set up for your student:

Schmitt Music 952.435.2454 Leeanne Kardock

Groth Music 952.884.4772 Bill Golden

Eckroth Music 651.701.9654 Syd Warner

Listed below are the models of instruments that the music stores will recommend for your beginning student:

Trombone Yamaha YSL354 or YSL 200AD, Bach TB-301, Getzen 451

Clarinet Vito 7214, Yamaha YCL200AD

Flute Yamaha 221S, YFL 200AD

Trumpet Yamaha YTR-2330 or YTR 200AD, Bach H2 of TR-300H, Accent, TR512L, Getzen 490

Xylophone: Majestic X5535DR, Ross 319 with Snare or Drum Pad

Alto Saxophone: Yamaha YAS-23, YAS-26, YAS 200AD, Vito V7141, Selmer AS-500

School Owned Instruments

The following instruments are owned by the school district: French Horn, Baritone, Tuba, Tenor Sax. They are available for yearly rental of $100. Students who qualify for educational benefits have a fee of $20 and students who qualify for free educational benefits have a waived fee if requested by the parent. Please contact Mr. Shervey to adjust the fee. District 196 will provide routine maintenance and repair, the district is not responsible for neglect or damage.

Family Owned Instruments

It is important that every child's instrument is in good playing condition. Instruments that are old or have been not played for some time often need the attention of a good repair person. Repairs can range from minor adjustments to major overhauls.

Repair Shops:

Groth Music 952.884.4772
Schmitt Music 952.435.2454
Valley Band Repair 942.432.3059
Haas Musical Instrument Repair 651.631.8820

Band for All Instruments

Students in financial need who can not afford to purchase an instrument can participate in the Band for All program if he/she qualifies for free or reduced lunch. Band for All has helped over 1,000 students in District 196 participate in Band. A $20 maintenance fee is required yearly to check out an instrument. A limited number instruments are available and are reserved for students by a lottery system. Please contact Mr. Shervey if you would like to request a Band for All instrument for your child.

Band for All is always looking for donations of instruments and music stands. If you have an instrument to donate it can be dropped off for Mr. Shervey at Rosemount Elementary. Please make sure that the donor name and address is included in the case so that a donation letter can be sent. Monetary donations to help with repairs are also accepted. Please make checks payable to ISD 196 and write "Band for All" in the memo line.

My Payments Plus is the online payment option.

Make sure to pay for "Band for All Maintenance Fee-ISD 196" $20

Band....during the school year

All students will receive a small group lesson once per week for thirty minutes during the school day. Lesson schedules are worked out with the classroom teacher to suit the needs of each student. Most lessons are on a rotating schedule so that a student will not miss the same class each week. There is no cost for lessons during the school year. Band is a full year class and students who start are expected to finish the fifth grade school year.

Large Group Rehearsals

Rehearsals will begin on Tuesday, October 11th and will continue every Tuesday that school is in session until May 2nd. Rehearsals meet in the gymnasium from 8:10-9:10 am and transportation is not provided by the school district. We will perform two concerts, one in January and the second in April.

Lessons

Each student will have a practice chart each week to record home practice time. The practice chart also will help each child remember the steps for successful practice and what the assignment is each week. Consistent practice is the key to improvement! 20-30 minutes of practice 5 or 6 days per week will help your child excel in Band!

Supplies

Supplies such as lesson books, reeds, valve oil and grease are occasionally needed during the school year. Mr. Shervey has all of these supplies available for purchase in the band room.