Future Members
Rising 6th Grade Students for 2023-2024
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Information for current 5th Graders (rising 6th grade students for 2023-2024)
We have started over 3000 beginning students in band over the last 25 years! Our program is very large and successful because we seek out and use the best information and teaching methods in the field of music education. Our program is one of the best in the state in terms of curriculum, quality of performance, individual development and retention of students. Our goal is to provide you with the best tools to become a quality musician. Please read the information and if you have questions, please ask.
Don't just respect the tradition - Be a part of it all!
Demonstration videos are posted below. We will be flexible in assessing student wants/needs/strengths when trying out chosen instruments. As always, we want to set every student up for success and may need to reassess initial student choices. If a student has a change of heart after signing up for an initial instrument, it is not a problem. We will work with those students on a case by case basis.
Be a part of a great organization that will provide you with countless opportunities for years to come!
All rising 6th graders and parents please complete this google form.
All rising 6th graders and parents please complete this google form.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Instrument Selection
Students will try an instrument that appeals to their individual likes and personality then a final selection will be made with the assistance of an instructor.
Our goal for the individual student~
Match each student with an instrument on which they will be successful!
Our goal for the entire group~
Develop a balanced instrumentation so that students have a good “band” experience.
How is an instrument selected?
Each student will hear each instrument demonstrated and choose his/her favorite.
Each student will attempt to make a correct pitch and sound on the mouthpiece of his/her chosen instrument
Every student has strengths which match an instrument.
Factors that help determine instrument selection~
Elementary School Music Teacher Recommendations, Standardized Test Results and Assessments.
Student’s level of interest and commitment to improve.
Student’s quality of school work.
Student’s personal habits-organization, neatness, patience, etc.
Physical characteristics.
Ability to produce a quality sound on the instrument.
Instruments offered for 6th grade study
Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone
Oboes are sometimes offered if a student meets specific criteria and is willing to take private lessons.
Instruments for transfer
Saxophones - students desiring to play saxophone should start on clarinet and and will audition for Saxophone in the 2nd semester
French Horns - students desiring to play French Horn should start on Trumpet and will audition for Tuba at the beginning of the 7th grade year
Tuba - students desiring to play Tuba should start on Baritone - and will audition for Tuba in the 2nd semester
Percussion - students desiring to play percussion can start on any beginning instrument and will be selected through an audition process near the end of the first year of instruction
Flute
The flute is the smallest of the beginner instruments. It is a very popular selection each year, but only a small portion of those wishing to play flute will be selected.
Physical Characteristics: Flute players should have a slight “frown” to the upper lip with NO tear drop shape in the middle. Flute tones are produced by being able to focus an extremely small airstream to an exact location on the tone hole. The tear-drop-shaped lip will make it difficult to direct the air so precisely. Flute players should also have agile fingers for moving this multi-keyed instrument through a fast musical passage. Students with extreme overbites (receded jaw) should avoid choosing flute as this makes it difficult to produce quality sounds.
Other Considerations: Students with double-jointed fingers should avoid selecting flute as double-jointedness can cause lack of agility in the fingers.
Clarinet
The clarinet uses a “single reed” and a mouthpiece to produce the sound. Willingness to purchase or rent a director-recommended clarinet is a MUST! Unfortunately, there are some clarinets on the market whose poor design and craftsmanship will make it next to impossible for your student to succeed. We can help you avoid that pitfall.
Physical Characteristics: One necessity of clarinet tone production is the ability to make the chin flat. Orthodontia is okay, but if a student has an extremely rounded bottom row of teeth, the mouthpiece will be hard to place in the proper position for tone production.
Other Considerations: Instruction in clarinet can be meticulous. Students who are able to focus on and perform a detailed series of instructions could do well on clarinet. Students who have difficulty remembering a series of instructions should avoid playing clarinet. Clarinet players are also responsible for maintaining a working stock of 3-4 quality reeds.
Cornet / Trumpet
The cornet / trumpet is the smallest member of the brass family. The sound on cornet / trumpet is produced by buzzing into a small mouthpiece. Students who choose and are selected to play cornet / trumpet will begin on a cornet (smaller in size) and “graduate” into a trumpet upon the completion of a battery of playing exams.
Physical Characteristics: While orthodontia is somewhat troublesome at first to a cornet / trumpet player, it is not impossible to make good sounds with braces. A slight overbite is okay, but an underbite can severely hinder progress on cornet / trumpet. Cornet / trumpet players come in all shapes and sizes.
Other Considerations: Cornet / trumpet parts usually have the melody (recognizable) part, therefore students who choose and are selected for cornet / trumpet should exhibit a confident demeanor, strong personality, and demonstrate a high level of self-motivation.
Trombone
Like the French horn, trombone players should have good “musical ears”. The trombone is played like the other brass instruments (buzzing into a cup-shaped mouthpiece), but uses a slide instead of valves. The slide is not marked or notched and players rely on their memory and hearing to tell if they are in the EXACT proper location. Students with good musical ears (such as Honor Choir students) should consider Trombone.
Physical Characteristics: While some might think that trombone players must have long arms, the truth is there are numerous accommodations that make it possible for students of all shapes and sizes to play. A slight overbite is acceptable, while an extreme underbite would hinder success. Trombone players should have slightly fuller lips than average.
Other Considerations: Great trombone playing takes good concentration and study. Many quiet academicians have excelled at trombone.
Euphonium
The euphonium (you-PHONE-knee-yum) is sometimes known as the baritone. It is a member of the brass family and looks like a small version of a tuba. Its sound is similar to that of a trombone, but it uses valves like a trumpet instead of a slide (like trombone).
Physical Characteristics: Euphonium players should have moderately full lips, but not too full. A SLIGHT overbite is okay, but an underbite would hinder a good sound. The euphonium requires a medium-sized hand span to reach the valves and students should have an above average lung capacity.
Other Considerations: Students with an above average amount of orthodontia will find the mouthpiece of the euphonium a bit more comfortable than trumpet or French horn.
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