FAQ

Band provides an opportunity to develop musical talents, increases confidence and self-esteem, develops responsibility, and promotes self-discipline. It has been proven time after time in studies that band students have higher ACT and SAT scores. Band provides a lifelong social group to be a part of. NO ONE sits on the bench in band. 

For athletes, playing in a band can improve concentration, stamina, small muscle coordination, and teamwork skills. Really, anyone can always improve on those skills.

Band provides an opportunity to be a part of something larger than yourself.  It is difficult to describe the feeling you get when you come together as a community of people and create something really amazing!  The friends you make through music will last a lifetime!

If none of that interests you, there are also a lot of travel opportunities!  As I wrote in my bio on the home page, music has taken me all over the country, to multiple different amusement parks, as well as across the world!  I traveled with the UNC Charlotte marching band to France and with the Orchestra to Vancouver, Canada.  The 8th grade band takes a trip to Carowinds every year, and the high school band travels to New York City as well as Orlando Florida!  Even if you only join for the trips, I hope you find Joy through music and stick around!

Any rising 7th grader! A student can only start band in 7th grade. You do not need to have any experience in playing an instrument. I will start with how to open up the case and take it from there!  In 8th grade, the band becomes competitive at county, district, and state levels.

Please know that you must sign up for band in 7th grade to be able to be in band in 8th grade and into high school. This is your chance now! Every year gains on the previous year. You cannot join 2nd semester. Other encore classes you are able to take at any time and do not build each year.  You can always add more electives in high school.

There is no fee for joining band class, however, each student should have their own instrument; I suggest parents rent the instrument for the first year. There are a few select school-owned instruments that can be used by students if there is a financial need. Some instruments like bass clarinet, baritone sax, euphonium, french horn and tuba are school-owned simply because of the high cost. Once the student has determined what they are going to play, I suggest parents rent or rent to own the instrument using “The Band Attic” or “Music and Arts Center”. 

Second-hand or used instruments are fine as long as the instrument is in good repair and clean. Do not buy an instrument off the internet without consulting the band director. There are several off-brands that cannot be repaired and cannot produce a good quality tone needed for our band. I am also available to help in giving guidance on what brands are reputable. 

Reed players (clarinets and saxophones); be aware that reeds will need to be a reoccurring purchase, students should always have at least 3 good reeds with their instrument at all times.

Percussion will need their own set of sticks as well as a practice pad.  A bell kit rental is encouraged but not required.

All students will also need an Essential Elements Method Book 1 for their instrument.  I have some old books in the class room that students may use if they are unable to purchase a book but only a limited amount and they are not in the best shape!

*More information will be emailed to you in regards to obtaining an instrument once you are registered and I received your information. The above is just an overview. *

Money should never be a reason not to be in the band; I am very willing to work with students and meet their needs so everyone can be involved!

Band meets during the day, every day, for 50 minutes. It is a year-long class. In addition to class time you are expected to practice your instrument for ~2 ½ hours a week (20min a day) in order to keep the pace of class moving and be the best ensemble we can be.

There will be two major concerts in the 7th grade, a Winter and Spring Concert. Other performance/field trip opportunities may arise.  After the first year of band, students will have the opportunity to perform at Carowinds, State Contest (MPA) and perform with the Foard High School Band. Other opportunities such as auditioning for honor bands, including County and District Band, will be available.  

 100% YES!! You can be in the band and participate in sports, cheerleading, or clubs! Playing sports, cheering, or being in clubs are all after school. The coaches and teachers work together so there is minimal to no conflicts with school events. If they do, the coaches and I work with each other.  Like with sports, practice will be necessary, but it will be manageable!

We have students in Band involved in every sport or club in the school, middle school is a great time to shop around with what the school has to offer and find something you're really interested in!  If you are hesitant to join band because you would prefer to join drama or art class, you can join band class and join the Drama Academy, or Art Club after school and be involved in all the things!

I have had students playing all the instruments while wearing braces. Braces usually do not cause many problems; however, check to see if your orthodontist has advice on how to curb certain issues. Asthma is not usually an issue with playing an instrument, and should not keep a student from signing up for band. 

Instruments are ordered from high pitch to low.

Woodwinds

Flute

Clarinet

Alto Sax

Tenor Sax

Brass

Trumpet

Trombone

Baritone/Euphonium

Tuba

String

Upright Bass (Only 1- must have prior bass experience)

Percussion

Percussion includes any instruments that are struck, scraped, or shaken.  This includes all drums as well as keyboard instruments like the xylophone and other auxiliary instruments such as cymbals, tambourine and triangle.  Percussionists will need to be able to read music for pitched and non-pitched instruments (keyboards that play notes vs. drums that play rhythms).  

IMPORTANT: All students who would like to play percussion will play a wind instrument (brass or woodwind) during class 1st semester.  Since percussion is so different than the other instruments, we will have a percussion ensemble that meets outside of class to learn the basics.  There can also be less or more percussion parts so we may play a piece of music that needs 8 percussionists, then move to a piece that only has 3 percussion parts.  Everyone who does not have a part will play their wind instrument for that piece.  In the 2nd semester we will make percussion part of the class.

The following instruments will be available to students in the 2nd semester:

Baritone Sax (max 1 - must start on alto or tenor sax)

Bass Clarinet (max 2 - must start on clarinet)

French Horn (max 3 - must start on trumpet)

Percussion (number based on need for each piece)

Watch the video below if you're unsure what instrument you would like to play