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We are one of the most successful middle school music programs in the school district!
Come join us! On this team, everyone plays!
Thank you for choosing Mesa for your middle school and for choosing band for your music class! Playing an instrument is one of the most important and enjoyable skills you will learn in your school years. My goal is to help you gain the confidence to love playing your instrument and making music through band.
Beginning Band is a ton of fun. Here are few songs you will be able to play by the end of beginning band:
Jingle Bells, Rudolph the Red Noe Reindeer, Jingle Bell Rock, Star Wars Main Theme, Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme), Happy Birthday, When Mom is Not Home, Seven Nation Army, Smoke on the Water, and dozens MORE!
Learn More About the Instruments Here!
Below are the instruments that are available to play in Beginning Band at the start of the year. A few students will switch to oboe, bassoon, saxophone and euphonium during the year. If you are interested in saxophone you must start on clarinet. Click on each picture to see more information!
FAQ
What if my child is sure of the instrument they wish to play?
You will still need to discuss your instrument choice with Mr. Van Alphen. Many time, families already have an instrument in the house to use, but that instrument may not be the right fit for your student. Try to help your child keep an open mind as there are no guarantees that any instrument will be a good choice for their unique physical traits.
My student would like to play saxophone, is it true they need to start on the clarinet?
Yes. All students interested in playing saxophone will start on the clarinet. Select students will then switch to saxophone halfway through their 1st or beginning year.
My student would like to play percussion, is there a piano requirement for percussion?
No, but students with piano background, previous mallet experience, and/or music reading experience will take primary consideration. Remember: Being a percussionist is more than just the drum. Percussion students must learn to read musical notation.
My student has played piano and studies it privately, what options are there for piano?
Piano players can choose to learn a second instrument in the band or orchestra. Our best instrumentalists and Mesa tend to be piano players, because of their prior training.
My student has played guitar and studies it privately, what options are there for guitar?
Students who play guitar and are able to read musical notation (not tab) can choose to learn a second instrument in the band or orchestra. The majority of guitar players actually choose to play a new instrument in the orchestra because of the similarities between stringed instruments.
My student cannot decide between band and orchestra, what should we do?
It is best to start talking to your child about what musical groups and music they would like to be in long term. At the high school level orchestra offers chamber orchestra and symphony orchestra, while band offers , concert band, wind ensemble, jazz band, marching band and pep band. If your child still cannot decide, please reach out to me and we can chat!
My student has been taking private lessons and is not a beginner OR my child has already played a band instrument before at their prior school, do we choose beginning or advanced band?
Sometimes it really depends on whether your child is feeling successful and satisfied with their current instrument. If they are satisfied and have at least 2 years of experience, then the advanced band is the correct placement. If they are interested in switching instruments that is not within their instrument family (example: switching from clarinet to trombone), it may be good to take beginning band in order to learn the proper fundamentals of their new instrument. In either case, please email me to let me know that your child has played before so that we can chat and I can also make note of it in my records.
Are there limited spots for each instrument?
The only sections that have a set number are the percussion section (12 spots per class section), and tuba (4 spots total). If a students family wishes to rent their own Tuba, that is acceptable (but pricey).
Should I purchase/rent my instrument now?
No. Do not get an instrument until after you student fills out the instrument selection sheet and it has been verified by Mr. Van Alphen. This ensures that you will have all the necessary information about instrument brands and models and the list of accessories to accompany the instrument. In addition, it is important for your student to not start their instrument until summer music where they can learn correct playing habits. When you rent your instrument from the music dealers, they will have you fill out paperwork and order your instrument, and the can deliver it to the school in a weeks time.
Can my student choose an instrument and start private lessons between now and the start of school?
Of course! In fact, this is a great way for your student to start their beginner instrumentalist journey and I strongly encourage it! The local music store in Castle Rock has a plethora of private instructors to choose from, and they offer varying lesson lengths and pricing.
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