Helpful information about beginning band!
Instruments
You will need to rent an instrument! We recommend Music Mart or Schmitt Music. The school also has a limited inventory of rental instruments available. Contact me for more information.
If you will be providing your own instrument, please take it to Music Mart or Schmitt Music so they can check it to make sure it is in good working order before school begins.
Lesson Book
Each student needs their instrument specific lesson book:
Music Passages Beginning Band Method Book 1, written by Ryan Anderson
You can purchase these at Music Mart or Schmitt Music.
It would be extra helpful for students to have access to the Music Passages App or website https://musicpassages.com/ to practice note names, fingerings, and rhythms!
Other Materials Needed
Consumable items like reeds, oil, grease, etc. can be purchased at Music Mart or Schmitt Music. Here’s what each instrument will need:
Flute: Cleaning rod and swab
Clarinet: Cleaning swab, cork grease, reeds – we recommend 2.5 D’Addario Reserves
Trumpet: Valve oil – we recommend Al Cass, tuning slide grease
Trombone: Slide-O-Mix Rapid Comfort slide oil, tuning slide grease
Percussion: Kit from Music Mart
Each student needs to bring a pencil to their first lesson.
I will give each student a band folder at their first lesson to keep their band materials organized.
Lessons
All beginning band students will be given lessons on a weekly basis during the school day. Schedules will be distributed when school begins. Students need to bring their band folder and instrument to school every band lesson day.
Group Band
Students will begin meeting together as a full band during second semester once per week during the school day.
Practice
Playing in band is a great experience, but it is not easy. Students will be expected to practice at home for at least 120 minutes each week. They will receive practice record sheets that they should be using to keep track of their daily practice times. These practice record sheets should be signed by a parent weekly. Please encourage your child to set up a regular time and place to practice. Practice = Progress!