Please watch these 2 videos before you explore the site!

Hi, I'm Mrs. Stephanie William and I am the 5th grade band teacher at Corron and Ferson Creek! On this site you will learn all about band, our schedule, the instruments, and how to sign up! Feel free to email me at Stephanie.William@d303.org with any questions you might have!

Table of Contents - feel free to look around!

MORNING BAND REHEARSALS

Students participate in full band rehearsals once per week before school from 7:15-7:55 AM. These rehearsals are an important and required part of the D303 Elementary Band Program. Starting dates will be given in the Fall. Families are responsible for transporting band members to the rehearsal. Each school will have its own morning rehearsal this year. Corron will have rehearsals on Tuesdays and Ferson Creek on Thursdays.

SMALL GROUP LESSONS

Students have a 40-minute lesson each week during the school day. Lessons give Mrs. William time to work more closely with each student to improve fundamentals such as tone production, music literacy, and technique. Lesson groups will be created based on instrumentation and will be assigned in August. Lessons will rotate so that students don't miss the same instructional content each week.

CONCERTS

There are two required concerts per year - a Winter Concert in December and a Spring Concert in May. These concerts are typically held at St. Charles North H.S. Other performance opportunities may become available, such as playing at a Kane County Cougars game. All dates will be provided in the Fall in the Band Handbook.

ATTENDANCE & COMMITMENT

Participation in band requires regular attendance and a strong commitment to personal improvement and group contribution. Because rehearsals and performances cannot be made up, students are required to attend all band lessons, group rehearsals, and performances (except for illness or family emergencies). If the student is well enough to attend school, s/he is expected to attend band.

INSTRUMENTS

Students need an instrument in good playing condition with appropriate accessories. To rent an instrument, contact Quinlan & Fabish at www.qandf.com or 800-63-SOUSA. If your family qualifies for free/reduced lunch, you also qualify for reduced instrument rentals through the District. Contact me if you want to learn more about this option (Stephanie.William@d303.org). To view the rental costs of instruments through Quinlan & Fabish click HERE.

Tubas are rented through the school, but it is required that you purchase a mouthpiece and cleaning kit for it through Quinlan and Fabish.

Instruments in poor condition can cause unnecessary frustration for your child. If you are considering purchasing or renting from another source, please consult Mrs. William at Stephanie.William@d303.org

MATERIALS NEEDED

Every band student must our method book, Sound Innovations Book 1, a folding music stand for home practice, and accessories appropriate for the instrument. All of these items can be obtained from Quinlan & Fabish.

In order to find out which instrument is the best fit for you, listen to examples of each and decide which one would fit you best!

Please note, in order to play oboe and French horn, you have to have a very good sense of pitch. For percussion, you need to have a very steady beat. Below the instrument videos you will find online pitch and rhythm assessments for students who are interested.

Rhythm Test

Pitch Test

Still have questions?

Contact me anytime at Stephanie.William@d303.org