My child has never played music before. Can he or she take band?

Absolutely! In fact, almost all of my 6th-grade students are absolute beginners when they come to me. Encourage your student to take this opportunity to learn something new and wonderful!

Does my child need to have an instrument on the first day of school?

No, in fact, your child should not even consider getting an instrument until they have attended the first few days of band class. I spend those days helping your student select the perfect instrument for them. I will guide you through this process.

Why is there a band fee?

All students must pay an annual band fee to the LMS Band. (Do NOT pay the connections fee LMS asks for at the beginning of the year if you are in band. If you have already paid this, call Mrs. Barrett and ask her to transfer it towards your band fee!) The band fully funds itself. That means that everything you see in the band room is purchased by the band. Fees may be paid to Mrs. Miller or to Mrs. Barrett in office A. Cash or checks made out to LMS band are accepted.

Brass and woodwind student fees: $50 once per year. Included in this fee: $4 recorder. $11.95 method book. Your student will receive these as soon as half of the fee is paid.

Percussion fee: $75 once per year. Included in this fee: $4 recorder. $14.95 method book. Your student will receive these as half of the fee is paid.

The rest of these fees goes towards the general band fund and will be used to purchase and upkeep larger instruments, audio equipment for the classroom, copy paper, music (It costs between $60-100 to purchase EACH piece of music we perform. Each grade performs 3-5 pieces per concert.), and cover the group registration fees for the band to perform at our Large Group Performance Evaluation for GMEA in the Spring.

How much does band cost?

Please note: We use a rent-to-own company, Gadsden Music. 100% of what you put into your rental goes towards you owning the instrument! You may also swap your instrument at some point. I encourage beginning students to rent a used instrument (cheaper option) to start, and then when you know your student loves it and you feel they are ready to keep a new instrument in perfect condition, switch to a new instrument. This makes it cheaper upfront, and then all of the money you put towards the used ones transfers towards the new horn.

With the exception of saxophone and percussion, the monthly cost to rent-to-own an instrument from our rental outfit, Gadsden Music, should be around $32 per month, depending on the instrument brand. Saxophone costs $65 per month. Oboe, Bassoon, French Horn, Euphonium, and Tuba are school-owned instruments (These fees covered in the next section.)

Total costs for renting an instrument

1. Band Fee

2. Instrument materials such as music stand and reeds (A music stand is a one-time purchase, while reeds are an ongoing occasional cost)

3. Monthly Instrument Rental (FYI - Around $128 (4 payments) gets you through Winter break!)

Are there any school owned instruments that my child can use?

Our band program must purchase instruments that are extremely expensive. (e.g. a single tuba, the most important instrument in any school band, costs several thousand dollars) The school owned instruments available are oboes, bassoons, french horns, euphoniums, and tubas. Students who use school owned instruments are still required to buy their own instrumental supplies, and are required to pay a school rental fee of $40 per semester ($10 per month) to cover the cleaning of the instrument after their use. In addition, students must purchase their own mouthpiece, ranging from $50-$100. They are also responsible for ALL maintenance of instruments they check out. In other words, if the instrument is damaged while checked out to you, YOU are responsible for having it repaired by Gadsden Music or another reputable musical instrument repair shop that I must approve.

Total costs of using a school-owned instrument

1. Band Fee

2. mouthpiece or reeds

3. Rent the school-owned instrument through LMS for $40 per semester ($10 per month).

What about percussion?

If selected for percussion, students will purchase a stick-pack from Gadsden Music that includes a stick bag, drum pad, snare drum sticks, and hard and soft xylophone and marimba mallets. I try to make this pack around $100. They will gradually add to this pack throughout middle school. In addition, percussion students must pay a yearly Percussion Fee to LMS of $75. The band fundraises and spends fees on expensive percussion equipment. Percussion students do not pay a monthly rental, so it is only fair that we ask them to give more on their fee towards the purchase and upkeep of classroom percussion instruments.

Total costs to play percussion

1. Band Fee

2. Music Stand

3. stick bag

How soon does my child need to bring their instrument to school after being tested in class?

Instruments should be rented by Friday, September 11th. Gadsden Music will deliver the instruments to the band room to ensure that they remain safe. Instruments should be delivered by Friday, September 18th. We will begin learning to put them together the following week. If your student owns their instrument and you will not be renting through Gadsden Music, they will need to bring them to school as soon as possible so I may inspect the playing condition.

What about purchasing an instrument on the internet (E-bay)?

Often, very high quality instruments can be found on E-bay, but these instruments do not usually come with a warranty. If you choose to purchase an instrument in this fashion, I encourage you to have it checked out immediately with a qualified repair technician to make sure it is in playing order. If the person really wants to sell it, they will allow someone to inspect it prior to purchase. Make sure you investigate the E-bay seller. You want someone with great ratings that has had an account for a while. If it's a brand new account, run, don't walk, in the other direction as it is likely a scam.

Does my child really need a music stand?

Yes! You may purchase this anywhere you can find one for the price point you like. This is a time where it is acceptable to use Amazon. Here is a good example of an affordable foldable music stand. The $10 options will work just fine. Practicing with a stand promotes correct posture and hand position and breathing. They will not need to bring their stand to school.

Should my child start playing the instrument if we take it home from the store?

Absolutely not. Please have your student wait to assemble and play their instrument until they have learned how to do this PROPERLY during class at school. Bad habits that are built by trying to play without proper instruction can DAMAGE that EXPENSIVE instrument and create habits that are very hard to unlearn. Please wait until band class so that a foundation of good habits can be learned.

For this reason, instruments rented through our rental company, Gadsden Music, will be brought to the school.

Will we have to fundraise?

I will ask you to do very few fundraisers. When we do one, it is essential that all students participate. This helps keep our fee manageable. This year, we will be doing a SnapRaise fundraiser in September, and I hope for this to be the only fundraiser we do all year long.

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I apologize if that is information overload. I hesitate to offer so many details upfront because I fear it will scare you away, but I also recognize that I would fully want to know what I was getting myself into! Please do not be fearful. You, and your student, will love band!

If you have any other questions, please contact Mrs. Miller

Phone: 706-866-1040 - ask to be transferred to the band room

Email: jmiller.lms@catoosa.k12.ga.us

Online rental (You may also call Gadsden Music at 800-264-7228 and rent over the phone)

1. Go here

2. Be sure to watch the video (The monthly repair agreement is strongly recommended!)

3. Complete the rental process

4. Email me at jmiller.lms@catoosa.k12.ga.us or call the school with any questions!

*Instruments will be delivered to the band room the following week. I will show students how to safely operate cases and assemble the instrument, at which point they will be permitted (and encouraged!) to bring them home.

Use these Free resources on your computer

• Online Metronome

• Online Metronome and Tuner (You must allow it to access your microphone)

• Online Music Dictionary (Just type the word into the search box)

Download these FREE APPS

• Band Mate Chromatic Tuner - Practice with this app! It shows you the pitch you are playing and helps with your accuracy!

• Rhythm Taps - Practice your rhythm and pass levels to become a rhythm master!

Purchase these Apps (parental permission needed)

• Tonal Energy Tuner - Make sure you are centering each pitch and getting the green smiley face! This is the metronome and tuner app we use in class every day.

All Students

1. Music Stand - Collapsible (cheaper) or Sturdy

2. Metronome/tuner

Woodwinds

Flute

1. handkerchief or thin cloth swab (This will be fastened to the cleaning wand that is provided with your instrument rental. If your student loses their cleaning wand, you must purchase one.)

2. Woodwind Cleaning Paper for upkeep of pads (Cigarette Paper is the same thing and the cost is significantly cheaper.)

Reed Instruments: Clarinet/Saxophone/Oboe/Bassoon - Beginning double-reed students should play medium-soft reeds. Beginning clarinet and saxophone students should play a 2.5 strength reed. Students should upgrade to a 3 when Mrs. Miller tells them they are ready.)

1. Reed Case that holds at least 3 reeds.

2. Reeds.

• Clarinet: Juno, D'addario, or Vandoren (navy blue box - traditional)

• Alto Saxophone: Juno, D'addario, Vandoren (navy blue box - traditional)

Students must have a reed rotation. This means they must have three reeds in perfect condition with no chips on them. I recommend purchasing a box of reeds for them to keep at home. That way when they chip a reed, you know about it, and you can help teach them about trying to make their reeds last longer. The best rotation would be 5 reeds, each labeled for one day of the week (M-F). On Monday, students play on the Monday reed. On Tuesday, they play the Tuesday reed. This helps reeds last longer and sound better.

3. Cloth swab - The silk ones are best!

• Clarinet Swab

• Alto Saxophone Swab

4. Woodwind Cleaning Paper for upkeep of pads (Cigarette Paper is the same thing and the cost is significantly cheaper.)

5. Saxophones only- Neck strap

Brass

Trumpet - All trumpet students should begin on a 5C Bach mouthpiece (provided with rental) and upgrade to a 3C by 8th grade (not provided.)

1. Valve Oil

2. Tuning Slide Grease

3. Cleaning 'snake'

4. Mouthpiece Brush

5. Mi-T Mist Mouthpiece Cleaner (Optional, but good to have!)

Horn - All horn players should begin on a MDC Farkas or Schilke 31 mouthpiece (must be purchased if renting school-owned Horn)

1. Hetman Rotor Valve Oil (Please note that this is a different kind of oil than for other instruments)

2. Tuning Slide Grease

3. Cleaning 'snake'

4. Mouthpiece Brush

5. Mi-T Mist Mouthpiece Cleaner (Optional, but good to have!)

Trombone - All trombone players should begin on a Bach 6 1/2 AL mouthpiece (provided with rental) and upgrade to a schilke 51 or Bach 5G by 8th grade (not provided.)

1. Super slick or slide-o-mix slide lubricant

2. Tuning Slide Grease

3. Cleaning 'snake'

4. Mouthpiece Brush

5. Mi-T Mist Mouthpiece Cleaner (Optional, but good to have!)

Euphonium - All Euphonium players should begin on a Bach 6 1/2 AL mouthpiece (must be purchased if renting school-owned Euphonium) and upgrade to a schilke 51 by 8th grade (not provided.)

1. Valve Oil

2. Tuning Slide Grease

3. Cleaning 'snake'

4. Mouthpiece Brush

5. Mi-T Mist Mouthpiece Cleaner (Optional, but good to have!)

Tuba - All tuba players should begin on a Bach mouthpiece (must be purchased if renting school-owned Tuba) and upgrade to a Helleberg 120 by high school if needed.

1. Valve Oil

2. Mouthpiece Brush

3. Mi-T Mist Mouthpiece Cleaner (Optional, but good to have!)

Percussion

1. Stick Bag (You can get whichever type you prefer)

2. Snare Drum Sticks

3. Xylophone Mallets

4. Mitchell Peters Snare Drum Studies books: Elementary or Intermediate. Your student should practice out of the Elementary book until they are ready to move to the Intermediate. Students will most likely play out of the Elementary book in 6th and 7th grade, and move to the Intermediate in 8th grade and beyond.

5. Hearing Protection - This is optional, but highly encouraged. Percussionists should protect their hearing from the high decibels produced by their instruments. I personally use earasers and they work well to filter harmful sound while also allowing me to hear what I am doing. You may also find some cheaper earplug options on Amazon, which may be a better option for younger students who may be likely to lose this item often. You can purchase a box of 25 pairs for under $10 until you trust them to keep up with something a little better.

Gadsden Music Company: This is the company that LMS does rentals with. I trust them. They rent and sell high quality instruments and their repair shop is excellent. If you choose to go somewhere else, you may risk quality or craftsmanship. We also have a music rep from Gadsden that visits our band room once per week. He will bring instruments needing repairs to and from Gadsden. You may call the store over the phone and pay for small goods, and the rep will drop them off to our room. This is your best bet!

Hickeys Music Center: Instrument specific accessories, books, reeds, and more

Steve Weiss Music: All things percussion! You will mainly go here for sticks, drum pads, or other accessories.

"WHY DO I NEED TO PRACTICE?"

Dictionary.com defines the word "practice" as: to perform or do something repeatedly in order to acquire skill or proficiency. So, in other words, you should practice your instrument in order to sound and play BETTER.

If you've ever played sports, you know that you have to practice to improve your game. You have to practice as an individual in order for the team to improve. You also have to practice as a team in order to function well together. Band works the same way!! Unless every individual has taken the time to practice and improve on their music, the band won't sound good. Music is a PHYSICAL skill, just like dribbling, passing, kicking, tackling, or shooting free throws. Unless you teach your body how to play music by PRACTICING the skills involved, YOU WILL NEVER IMPROVE, and YOUR band won't sound good. Period.

Practice does not mean sitting in the room with your instrument. You must actually have the instrument in your hands, and be making musical sounds come out of it!!

How To Practice

1. Set aside a specific time for music practice and use it consistently.

2. Practice in a quiet room without the TV on, or your Cell Phone near by.

3. Practice with correct hand position, posture, breath support and embouchure. This will be easier with a good chair and a music stand.

4. Practice the assigned stuff from class first.

5. Practice the hard stuff first. Go slow until it's right, then gradually speed up. Break it down into manageable chunks (one measure at a time, or even one beat at a time, if necessary), then put it back together. Going from the beginning to the end of a piece of music with mistakes is NOT practicing.

6. Practice AT LEAST five days a week for a minimum of thirty consecutive, uninterrupted minutes.

7. Wind players should warm up by playing several long, slow notes. (As many beats as you can hold the note with a good sound.)

8. If you get frustrated, take a break, but then go back and try again.

9. Be Prepared to play any of your assigned music in class at ANY TIME!!

What can I do as a parent to help my student?

• Listen to them. At least once a week, but every chance you get, have them play something for you. You will recognize many of the songs.

• Encourage them. You may not be a musician, but you know what good sounds like. Encourage your student to listen to other people playing their instrument and copy those sounds. Save any jokes about how they sound for later in their musical career. It is very damaging to the musician psyche for a loved one to tell them they sound like a goose!

• SUPPORT THEM! First, Come to their concerts. Second, band is an academic class and matters to their GPA, and to your student as much as all their other classes. When your student says they need supplies or materials, please remember that it will effect their grade and their ability to participate to the best of their abilities. They can't practice without the stuff they need.

• I occasionally hear parents say, "I don't think my kid is a band kid." I want to assure you - ALL kids are band kids! Every student has the ability to learn to play a musical instrument. We all must practice patience. Every student will have their 'aha' moment, and it is my job to relentlessly pursue that moment with them. If I haven't given up on them in band (Spoiler alert: I won't!), I hope you won't, either. Even if this is out of your comfort zone, I ask that you keep an open mind and dive head first into the awesome and rewarding world of band!

• I am here for you, too! Email me questions. Call me. Seek my advice on purchasing accessories for birthdays or holidays or instruments. I'm here to help!

Band Syllabus

2020-2021

Instructor: Mrs. Jacqueline Miller

Course Description

Band is a setting where each and every student will grow by creating, performing, and producing music. Band will not interfere with your academic or athletic achievement and will provide a positive experience. Because band represents a large, visible, highly disciplined segment of our community, attendance, good behavior, and preparation are vital. Students will learn about music that comes from many different genres, regions, and ethnic backgrounds. Group musicianship can only be obtained through each member having strong individual musicianship. Band will encourage students to take on personal responsibility for behavior and musicianship, eventually leading to a well-rounded individual that is skilled in the art of music.

Grading Policy

20% Participation and Materials (Participation & Daily Material Checks)

30% Playing Assessments or Special Projects (Band Karate, Thanos Gauntlets, etc.)

40% Digital Learning (Breezin' Thru Theory Program, Google Classroom Assignments, etc.)

10% Final Exam

CONCERTS ARE MANDATORY. THE ONLY EXCEPTION WILL BE SICKNESS, IN WHICH CASE A DOCTOR’S NOTE IS REQUIRED.

Materials

Students will use the Making Music Matter method book for band class. Every student is in charge of having their instrument, band binder, and a pencil every day. Students MUST have their instrument and participate daily. Forgotten materials will result in a zero for the day. (These add up fast!)

Assessment

Students will be evaluated according to sufficient preparation and performance in class. Should written work be assigned, students will be graded according to a rubric.

Donations

1. We would greatly appreciate any donations of hand sanitizer and tissues!

2. If you work for a business, we would love to have you sponsor our class ‘treasure chest’ that gets stuffed with musical goodies (reeds, mouthpiece patches, etc.) to help reward our students and keep them motivated! Please reach out to me and let me know if you can help us out with this!

Thank you!

National Music Standards by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME)

Georgia Music Standards by the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE)