Contact your child's director with any questions or concerns. We are here to help.

In Osseo Area Schools, band begins in 5th grade and continues all the way through high school, with lots of great opportunities to travel and perform.

Students are combined in small groups of like instruments that meet weekly for 30 minutes. Lessons are scheduled during school hours. Students are expected to invest 20 minutes a day, 4-5 days per week in home practice.

All students are required to take a music class in 6th grade, and 6th grade band is only available to students who start band in 5th grade.

Playing a band instrument involves a lot more than you might think. To perform effectively, students must master a number of concepts. Here are a few that we cover in beginning band:

Tone Production

• Proper embouchure (mouth formation) or mallet/stick control (percussion).

• Characteristic tone quality. Breathing. Posture. Articulation.

Holding the Instrument

• Finger and hand positions. Angle of instrument. Posture.

Music Reading

• Letter names of staff and notes. Key signatures. Fingerings.

• Time signatures. Note values and counting.

• Musical terms.

Instrument Care

• Preventive maintenance.  

Group Dynamics

• Cooperative behavior. Personal contributions and responsibilities.  Preparation of music.   

2025-2026 Dates

Fall/Winter

September 2025: After registration, students select an instrument with their teacher, then families obtain instruments and supplies

Friday September 26: Weekly lessons begin

Tuesday January 13: Winter concert @ Osseo Middle School (evening, times TBA)

Spring

Tuesday April 14: Blue Band rehearsal 4:40-5:45 @ Edinbrook Elementary

Wednesday April 15: Silver Band  rehearsal 4:40-5:45 @ Oak View Elementary

Tuesday April 21: Blue Band rehearsal 4:40-5:45 @ Edinbrook Elementary

Wednesday April 22: Silver Band rehearsal 4:40-5:45 @ Oak View Elementary

Tuesday April 28: Spring concert @ Osseo Middle School (evening, times TBA)

Friday May 22: Weekly lessons end

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**Our district 5th grade band splits into two groups for performances - the Blue Band and the Silver Band. Concert dates are posted above and concerts for both Blue & Silver bands are on the same dates. Your director will reach out to let you know if your child’s school is part of the Blue or Silver band. 

Students must secure their own flutes, clarinets, saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and percussion kits. We encourage parents to rent their instrument at the beginning of the year from a reputable music shop (next section).

BEWARE of inexpensive instruments. Cheap instruments break easily, sound bad, and are no fun to play. They will not serve a beginner well. An instrument must be in good playing condition to enable your student to progress normally.

The following brand names are suggested for beginning band students.

• Flute: Gemeinhardt, Artley, Buffet, Yamaha, Holton, Jupiter, Armstrong, Vito, Bundy, Selmer, Haynes, Trevor James

• Clarinet: Buffet, LeBlanc Vito, Yamaha, Bundy, Armstrong, Jupiter, Selmer, Lake City

• Saxophone: Selmer, Keilwerth, Yamaha, Conn, Bundy, Jupiter, Armstrong, Buffet, Buescher, Yanagasawa, P. Mauriat, Vito, Antigua, Lake City

• Brass Instruments: Yamaha, Getzen, Bach, Holton, Conn, Jupiter, King, Besson, Olds, Bundy, Blessing, Eastman, Courtois, Sonare

• Percussion Kit (bells must have 2.5 octaves): Vic Firth, Yamaha, Ludwig, Pearl

We recommend all band students take advantage of a rental or lease-to-purchase program rather than purchase an instrument for the beginning period. Each music store listed below has one of these programs. Feel free to compare prices and services among these, and other stores, before making a decision.

Schmitt Music  763-566-4560

Schmitt Music - Anoka  763-421-1062

Groth Music  952-884-4772

Eckroth Music 651-704-9654

Sweetwater 888-890-3365

The district owns a limited number of French Horns and Baritones. These instruments are available through your band director. The rental fee is $120.00 per year*. A rental contract will be issued at the start of the lessons and is due back to the band director with the rental fee immediately. 

The district also owns a limited number of flutes, clarinets, trumpets, trombones and percussion kits. *Certain parents/guardians and students may qualify for waiver of rental cost for musical instruments. Specifically, students and families qualifying for "Educational Benefits". If you wish to apply, please do so here. Contact your director so they can confidentially look for your qualification. Qualifying students will be responsible for the cost of consumable supplies (see next section).

All students must have a folding music stand, pencils, and luggage tag with student name on case. We strongly recommend a pair of over-the-ear headphones for practicing at home.

Flute: Cleaning rod and cleaning cloth

Clarinet: Reeds (#2, #2.5 or medium soft), Vandoren, Rico, or Mitchell Lurie preferred. Students need at least 4 good reeds at all times. Cleaning swab, cork grease.

Saxophone: Reeds (#2, #2.5, or medium soft). Students need at least 4 good reeds at all times. Saxophone cleaner, neck cleaner, and cork grease.

Trumpet/Baritone: Valve Oil (any brand OK)

Trombone: "Slide-O-Mix" black cap (not red!)

Percussion (bell kit): matching drum sticks (Vic Firth SD1 or similar) and hard bell mallets should already be included in your bell kit; a small stick bag may be appropriate for middle school but not required in 5th grade.

When the instrument is not working, CONTACT your band director. 

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO FIX THE INSTRUMENT (OR PULL A STUCK MOUTHPIECE) YOURSELF!

Student-owned instruments can be repaired at the music shop.

School-owned instruments: contact your band director.

Avoid problems and unnecessary repairs!

• an instrument should be cleaned and returned to its case as soon as it is done being played.

• an instrument should be treated as a valuable possession.  Only the student should play it.

Flute

This is the smallest and highest-sounding instrument in the band.

 PROS – Small, easy to carry when in case.  Relatively inexpensive to rent.

 CONS – This is the most difficult instrument to start on in beginning band.  Some students cannot play this instrument well due to facial characteristics (lip size, etc.).  Difficult to hold, especially with small hands.  Many students play flute, so much more competition to get into advanced groups, honor bands, youth orchestras, etc. in the future.

JAZZ INSTRUMENT – No (flutists learn sax to play in jazz band)

 ORCHESTRAL INSTRUMENT – Yes

Clarinet

This is a single reed instrument, similar in size to flute when assembled.

PROS – Small, easy to carry when in case.  Relatively inexpensive to rent.  Arguably the most universal instrument; easily transferable to other instruments (bass clarinet, oboe, bassoon, saxophone).

CONS – Somewhat difficult to play at times. Reeds must be purchased regularly. Students must have large enough hands to cover tone holes with all fingers.  Many students play clarinet, so much more competition to get into advanced groups, honor bands, youth orchestras, etc. in the future. 

JAZZ INSTRUMENT – No (clarinetists learn sax to play in jazz band)

ORCHESTRAL INSTRUMENT – Yes

Saxophone

This is a single reed instrument (similar to clarinet), made of brass.  It is larger than most other elementary band instruments.

PROS – Relatively easy to learn (although easy to learn “badly”).  Easily transferable to other instruments (other saxophones, oboe, bassoon, bass clarinet).

CONS – Large, heavy instrument.  Difficult to manage for small students.  Reeds must be purchased regularly.  Limited performance opportunities in advanced groups (not used in orchestras).  Expensive instrument to rent (more than double the cost of some other instruments).  Many students play alto saxophone, so much more competition to get into advanced groups, honor bands, etc. in the future.

JAZZ INSTRUMENT – Yes

 ORCHESTRAL INSTRUMENT – No

ISD 279 does not have any saxophones for rent, so families will need to rent an instrument from a music store.

Trumpet

This is the smallest of the brass instruments.  It is the highest-sounding and “brightest” sounding of the brass instruments.

PROS – Smallest of brass instruments.  Relatively inexpensive to rent.  Few supplies needed for purchase.  Easily transferable to other brass instruments (French Horn, trombone, baritone, tuba).  Trumpet is one of the most important instruments in the band.  Is BOTH a jazz and orchestral instrument.

 CONS – Difficult for some students to hold/play.  Has a lot of resistance when blowing through.  Most difficult of brass instruments to play well.

JAZZ INSTRUMENT – Yes

ORCHESTRAL INSTRUMENT – Yes

French Horn

The horn is a mid-range brass instrument.  It is highly recommended that students studying horn have had some previous musical experience (piano, etc.). 

PROS – This is a very important instrument to the success of bands and orchestras at all levels.  Not many students play French Horn, leading to many opportunities for performances in different types of advanced level groups.  Good French Horn players are always in high demand at every level of music!

 CONS – Difficult instrument to play and control.  Requires a good ear and ability to match pitch.

JAZZ INSTRUMENT – No

ORCHESTRAL INSTRUMENT – Yes

Trombone

Trombone is one of several instruments classified as “low brass”.  Low brass instruments are THE MOST IMPORTANT instruments in a band!

PROS – The smallest of the low brass instruments.  Easily transferable to other low brass instruments later on (baritone & tuba).  Relatively inexpensive to rent and maintain.  Is BOTH a jazz and orchestral instrument.  Very important to the success of a band, making players in high demand at every level.  One of the easiest instruments to produce a sound on for almost all students.

CONS – Because there are no keys or valves on a trombone, it can be difficult to play fast moving notes. 

JAZZ INSTRUMENT – Yes

ORCHESTRAL INSTRUMENT – Yes

Baritone (or Euphonium)

Baritone  is one of several instruments classified as “low brass”.  It is similar to trombone, except with valves.  Low brass instruments are THE MOST IMPORTANT instruments in a band!

PROS – One of the easiest instruments to produce a sound on for almost all students.  Easily transferable to other low brass instruments later on (trombone & tuba).  Very important to the success of a band, making players in high demand at every level.

CONS – Not used in jazz bands or orchestras.  Somewhat large and bulky.

JAZZ INSTRUMENT – No (baritone players learn trombone to play in jazz band)

ORCHESTRAL INSTRUMENT – No

Percussionists play both mallets and non-pitched percussion.

Percussion is a collection of instruments that involves the use of sticks or beaters.  Students studying percussion MUST learn both drums & keyboard mallet instruments.  Piano experience is strongly recommended for percussionists!  (Drum Set is NOT used in the Elementary Bands!)  Percussion requires constant focus and concentration at very high levels all the time – much more so than ANY other band instrument.  Students who have a difficult time focusing should NOT play percussion!

PROS – Does not involve “blowing”.  Very important to the success of a band/orchestra.  Somewhat inexpensive to rent/purchase equipment at the elementary level (costs increase later).

CONS – Difficult to learn all of the different instruments (especially if no piano experience).  Requires a lot of “musical independence”, since there is generally only one person playing each percussion instrument at a time (especially at more advanced levels).  A lot of students play percussion, leading to more competition to get into advanced groups, youth orchestras, honor bands, etc. 

JAZZ INSTRUMENT – Yes (Vibraphone; also “Drum Set” if student studies privately in addition to concert percussion.)

ORCHESTRAL INSTRUMENT – Yes

We want your child to be successful! To this end, selecting the proper instrument is critical. A number of factors contribute to a "best match" and the probability of a successful experience, including:

• the student's physical characteristics: hand size, finger length, lip shape, arm length, teeth

• sense of pitch and rhythm

• the first sound the student is able to make on an instrument

• clear tone on woodwinds; ability to buzz different pitches on brass

• the student's idea of what he or she has always wanted to play             

• the student's disposition and reaction to challenges

• all instruments have unique challenges and obstacles for students to overcome at different times of the year

• the number of students playing each instrument

• having a balanced band is desirable

Achievement on the skills and concepts learned in band will be reported as part of the student’s regular report cards. Band students earn a score 1-4 on the following reporting standards:

Understands music notation

• • Note-naming and symbol-naming assessments

Reads and performs rhythms accurately

• • Rhythm and counting assessments

Plays music accurately

• • Play tests on Seesaw (see next section "BAND KARATE")

Plays instrument with correct posture and technique

• • Play tests on Seesaw (see next section "BAND KARATE")

Contributes to the band’s performance

• • Attendance and participation in lessons, practice journals completion

“Band Karate” is a progression system in which students earn different color belts as they pass off increasingly more difficult exercises and tests. These belts are earned as beads that attach to their instrument case.

Band Karate takes place entirely within Seesaw. Students watch teacher instructional videos, submit their own videos, receive teacher feedback, and track their progress all within the app.

Our curriculum takes students up to the “Blue” Belt, with assignments due throughout the year. These assignments are used to assess student progress on report cards.

Trimester 1: White Belt

Trimester 2: Yellow and Orange Belts

Trimester 3: Green and Blue Belts

Parents, please check Seesaw regularly for due dates! There are 5 additional belts: Purple, Red, Brown, Black, and Gold. Many students choose to work above and beyond to earn these belts, which helps them become the best musicians in the band!

Click here for more information about band karate

Playing an instrument is FUN and requires HARD WORK which is REWARDING!

Investing time and effort into your practicing can result in a big pay-off.  

Meet these expectations to reach your highest potential!

1.   Take responsibility for attending each lesson with your instrument, music, pencil and other supplies.

2.      Find the best place in your home to play.

• • Look for some place where you will not be interrupted by the television, the phone, or other members of your family.

3.   Invest 20 minutes or more of practice 4-5 times each week.  

• • Successful students choose to practice the same time every day, like right after school or after the supper dishes are finished.

4.  Monitor Seesaw to stay up to date with announcements and due dates for Band Karate assignments/tests. 

5.      Stop and work on difficult measures slowly and carefully. 

• • Practice them over and over before you play the whole song again.

6.      Demonstrate proper habits when playing your instrument.

• • ALWAYS use your music stand.

  • Sit up tall with good posture.

  • Hold the instrument correctly.

  • Learn your part to the best of your ability.

7.      Take care of your instrument.

• • Do not chew gum, candy or food before or during practice. Sugar and food particles will damage and clog the instrument.

  • Play only your instrument, not other students' instruments.

  • Do not drop your instrument!

 8.      Communicate any problems or concerns with the band teacher.  

Your student is learning a new skill.

He or she will need your encouragement and support in order to succeed.  

1.      Show an interest in your child's band experience. 

• • Support him or her through frustrations, and enjoy progress together. 

  • Give your child feedback as you sign his or her weekly practice record.

  • Encourage good work in other studies, too. Monitor assignments/progress via Seesaw.

2.      Encourage good playing habits. 

• • Assist your student in setting up a regular time and quiet place for practice.

  • Provide a music stand and necessary supplies, like reeds and valve oil.

3.      Assist in the care of the instrument.  

• • It should be cleaned after each use, and stored immediately in the case.  

  • Only the student should touch the instrument, no one else. Please keep the instrument away from other children. 

  • If an instrument is not working, it should be examined and adjusted or repaired as quickly as possible. The band director may be able to make minor adjustments, but broken parts, bent keys, or missing pads require a trip to the repair shop. Do not attempt to fix the instrument or pull a stuck mouthpiece at home!

4.      Band is both an individual and group endeavor. 

• • Reinforce skills needed to participate as part of a group, including responsibility, dependability, ownership, and attention. Teach your student to be punctual for lessons and rehearsals.

5.      Get to know the band director.

• • Email whenever you have questions or concerns.