BBMS Band FAQ's

Q - I like playing my band instrument, but I also love to sing.  Can I be in both band and chorus in the Middle School?

A - While students do not have the option of being scheduled for both band and chorus in the Middle School, if you enjoy both you should definitely consider signing up for band.  Our middle school offers a Select Chorus group that meets once per week before school.  This group is made up of select students who audition to be in the ensemble.  Many band students are a part of this group.  They get the best of both worlds because they get to sing with an elite group, perform at the Trills and Thrills music festival with the Select Chorus (and some also with the Select Band) and also get to continue to study their band instrument.  In High School students can be in both ensembles, and many do just that!

Q - I want to start a brand new instrument in Middle School, can I do that?

A - Unlike the band program at RSS and most elementary schools, the BBMS Band program has full ensemble rehearsals on an every other school day basis.  There is very limited time in the schedule for the kind of instruction required to start a brand new instrument.  (Please see below about the possibility of switching to larger instruments in MS, which is something we offer.) Students who want to either switch instruments, or start as a new band student, are asked to seek private lessons prior to the start of the school year.  The good news is that we have many wonderful private instructors in our area, along with fantastic schools of music that offer summer programs.  Look over the 6th grade requirements page to get some information about the skills you want to master in order to be successful in band.  As a general rule, proper embouchure, hand position, tone production, articulation and knowledge of a one octave Concert Bb scale is a solid foundation for success in 6th grade band.

Q - What is Select Band and how do I become a member?

A - Select Band is a before school group (Thursdays at 7:10am) that is designed for advanced 6th and 7th grade band students who are capable of performing along with the 8th grade students.  The ensemble also participates in the Trills and Thrills Music festival each spring, where the band plays for judges in a competition and then spends the remainder of the day at Lake Compounce, an amusement park in Connecticut.  Auditions for this ensemble are held in September each fall.  If you are a student that loves band, finds the regular band music fairly easy to learn, and feels confident learning music on your own or with a private instructor then you should consider auditioning for Select Band!

Q - What is Jazz Ensemble and how to I become a member?

A - Jazz Ensemble is a before school group (Tuesdays at 7:10am) that allows for students who enjoy band to learn about jazz and rock styles of music. The group often plays more popular songs along with jazz and rock classics and originals and also introduces students to some basics of improvisation.  Jazz Ensemble is open to wind instruments in grades 6, 7 and 8 without audition (students are encouraged to look over the music before the first rehearsal to make sure they feel comfortable trying it out) and also to rhythm section instruments (Piano, Bass, Guitar and Drums) by audition.  Auditions will occur at the end of September.  Jazz Ensemble will perform at the winter and spring concert with the chance of other performances throughout the year!

Q - I play piano and/or guitar, can I be in the band?

A - Piano and guitar are fantastic instruments, and many students at Blind Brook continue their studies on these instruments throughout all of Middle School and High School, however they are not instruments of the Concert Band, which is the ensemble that we offer here at school as our main class.  Some students who play piano and are in the percussion section will find great success on Mallet Percussion, however we generally encourage the piano and guitar students to study a second instrument for band.  We do have a Jazz Ensemble that meets once a week before school and utilizes Piano, Guitar, Bass Guitar and Drums.  This ensemble is open by audition for rhythm section students.  Auditions ocur usually at the end of September each fall.

Q - I play the violin, viola, cello or double bass (orchestra instrument), can I be in the band?

A - Our Middle School and High School does not offer an orchestra program.  Some students participate in outside of school ensembles, however students who play a string instrument are encouraged to either choose a secondary instrument to study, or enroll in chorus.  Beginning this year (2023) only those students enrolled in a school ensemble are eligible for NYSSMA All State as a junior or senior in high school.  This is important to consider early on because it will be more difficult to join one of the ensembles later without prior experience.  The concert band will utilize bass players, as that is an instrument included in the concert band repertoire.

Q - I play the drums, can I be in the band?

A - Drum set and Concert Band percussion are very distinct skill sets that, while related, do not overlap all that much.  Typically students who study drum set are learning by rote (playing by ear or imitation) and are studying drum grooves for particular styles of music.  Concert Band percussionists are studying rhythmic notation, mallet percussion notation, and learning to read concert band literature on snare drum, bass drum, timpani and numerous accessory instruments.  Students not currently in the percussion section would need to audition for a spot with these skills as the criteria, and the percussion section is capped so as not to misbalance the instrumentation of the band.

Q - Other than my current band instrument, what instrument would I be allowed to switch to in school?

If you join band on your current instrument but are looking for either a new challenge or a different experience, you might want to consider moving onto one of our larger band instruments that we offer at the Middle School.  These instruments include: Baritone Horn, Valved Trombone, Trombone, French Horn, Tuba, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet and Bass Guitar.  These instruments are incredibly valuable to the band as they add depth to the instrumentation and provide the foundation for all of the music that we perform.  While any student can opt to make the switch to one of the these instruments, students may find an easy transition with the following paths: Trumpet to Baritone Horn, Valved Trombone or French Horn; Alto Sax to Tenor Sax or Bari Sax; Clarinet to Bass Clarinet, Tenor Sax or Bari Sax.  Guitarists can usually adapt to Bass quickly.  Any student who has a strong sense of pitch will usually excel at French Horn, Trombone and Tuba.  (Bass Clarinet, Tenor Sax and Tuba may require taller students to reach all of the keys!).   BBMS will provide an instrument for the first year of study (in some cases we can also provide a second instrument for home practice as well).

Q - If I take band in 6th grade, do I have to continue in band all through Middle School?

A - We strongly encourage our band students to stay with band for both 6th and 7th grade, unless advised by guidance or the music department to do otherwise.  Once students reach 8th grade they are no longer required to select a music course as one of their electives, however most 7th grade band students do opt to continue band through 8th grade and into High School.  Band offers a wonderful experience of a creative ensemble, team building, musical and technical development, and a way to decompress from the academic rigors of MS and HS.  Band is also a wonderful resume addition for college applications, and a lifelong skill that you will carry with you long beyond Blind Brook!