Frequently asked questions

• Acquire an instrument for your child after they receive their "acceptance letter".  (Rentals are highly suggested and preferred).

• You will need to help your musician learn how to fit practicing into their routine at home.  We will teach them how to practice but we need you to reinforce it at home.

• How can you honor your commitment?

  • 1. 1. 1. Help your child remember their instrument by checking our schedule on google classroom and putting reminders on your family calendar.  

          2. Help your musician set up a consistent practice time​ - make it part of their homework!

          3. Help your musician set up a consistent practice area with a music stand.

          4. Ask questions about what they have learned - explaining the new information is one of the BEST ways to help retain the info!

          5. Listen to them and praise their efforts. It will not always sound good right away, but with correct practice, the sounds will get better each week!

          6. Hold your musician accountable for practicing and completing band/orchestra assignments.

With such a HUGE marketplace for musical instruments and with internet shopping becoming so popular in recent years, there seems to be a flood of poor quality instruments available for students to buy.  Known as ISOs (Instrument Shaped Objects), these instruments will be hard to play, easily broken, and avoided by a majority of reputable repair shops due to their inability to be repaired.  Two things to remember when you are considering to buy an instrument:

1.  A used quality instrument is better than a poorly made brand new instrument.

2.  If in doubt... ask a band/orchestra teacher!

Let your child pick the instrument they have their heart set on playing. Forcing a child to play an instrument you want them to play often yields poor results and a poor experience for the child.

Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Percussion Kit (includes Bells & Drum Pad) 

(Learn more about these instrument choices on the Band Page)

Violin, Viola and Cello 

(Learn more about these instrument choices on the Strings Page)

All instruments are difficult if you do not practice them. The more you practice playing an instrument, the easier it becomes.

Instrument acceptance letters will be sent out mid-June. It may take some time to get them to everybody, but they will be sent! Please review the steps on the Sign up page.

• Instrument

• Lesson Book 

​         We also suggest that you purchase a music stand.

Clarinets and Saxophones will also get two size 2.5 reeds (they will need an additional 5 reeds so it might be best to buy a box)

Trumpets will also get valve oil

Trombones will also get slide oil

Violin/Violas with also get a shoulder rest and rosin

Cellos will also get a rock stop and rosin

YES!  Absolutely!  Many students choose to play an instrument and join choir.  Choir sign-ups will go out in the fall.

Unfortunately, the answer is no. These instruments are not typical band or string orchestra instruments. There isn't anything wrong with choosing to play a guitar or piano, they can be extremely rewarding! They just don’t fit into the elementary band and orchestra experience.

Yes. We strongly encourage our students to seek private one-on-one instruction on their instrument outside of school. While your child will have an extremely powerful instrumental experience during the school day, there is nothing better than a one-on-one lesson with a qualified teacher. Please contact either Ms. Towers or Mrs. Buckelew for more information on local private teachers.

NOT AT ALL! Cello and Trombone are fairly light instruments, despite their size, that anybody of any size can play! And remember, your children are still growing so the instrument will not always look so big.

Unlike band instruments, violin, viola and cello all come in different sizes to fit the exact size of your child. This is one of the reasons why buying an instrument at this time is not recommended: as your child grows they will need a bigger size instrument. The rental companies listed on the rental page include size upgrades with the rental cost.

Glockenspiel and Snare drum

We do not use the drum set in elementary school.  All percussion students are required to rent or purchase a Percussion Kit containing both a bell set and a snare drum or drum pad.  We will spend most of our time using the bell kit.

First lesson passes will be distributed in your child's homeroom class as soon as our schedule has been completed.  This pass will include the DAY, DATE and TIME of their first lesson.  Lesson information will also be posted on Google Classroom.  Students should bring all required materials (instrument, music book, pencil) to each lesson and should bring their supplies home the afternoon of their lesson.  Instruments need to go home to be practiced!