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Future Georgia Band Members and Parents
Welcome to the Beginning Band Information Page!
In addition to regularly scheduled music classes, all 5th Grade students at GEMS have the opportunity to join the Beginning Band! All students that are in Band will have a once-per-week full group rehearsal, as well as receive a 30-minute music lesson focusing specifically on their instrument.
Students in Band have 2 major performances throughout the year - a winter recital in December and a final spring concert and awards ceremony with the entire music department in late May. Some students will have other opportunities including joining the All-Star Jazz Band, marching in the Memorial Day Parade, forming their own small groups, as well as other smaller scale concerts and presentations throughout the year.
Beginning Band students will choose one of these instruments: flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone, or percussion**. To learn more about each, view the Instrument Selection Guide link below. **PERCUSSION - students expressing interest in percussion will perform a short audition (no experience required) to test their basic pulse and rhythmic skills, as well as a brief personality assessment. No more than 6 students will be chosen. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. Students not selected for percussion will be assigned their second choice of a woodwind or brass instrument. There is a perfect instrument for every student!
The enjoyment students experience in this program is due largely to the friends and social activities that Band offers. Our student-led Band Officer Council of 6th-8th Grade students work each year to develop fun social activities outside of the normal music routine to enrich all students’ time in the music department. Playing in middle school Band develops good discipline, a sense of teamwork, and a lifelong love of music.
Listen to and learn more about the different instruments here:
Frequently Asked Questions about Band
1. How much will it cost?
Rental Fees for instruments through Ellis Music typically cost between $23-$40 per month depending on the instrument chosen if you choose to rent. The link to their website is below. The process is extremely easy and the prices are very reasonable. We have fundraisers and a budget that help defer costs for supplies here at school and we work with all financial situations. We want to give every child the best opportunity possible. Some students may even qualify to use a GEMS instrument.
2. How do I sign my child up for band?
At the beginning of the school year, Mr. Casazza will provide a brief demonstration of the instruments and talk with each student about band. They will bring home a “5th Grade Instrument Survey” form to complete and once that is returned, they will officially be a member of the band! Instrument selection certificates will be presented to the students on the afternoon of TBD.
3. Do I need to have experience playing a musical instrument to join the band?
Not at all! While it's certainly helpful to have experience, particularly taking piano lessons, you do NOT need to have played an instrument before. No prior musical experience is required to join band! We will start at the very beginning with reading music and the basics of playing your instrument.
4. Are some instruments harder than others?
All instruments are unique and exciting to learn. Each one offers its own challenges. Different physical features in your face and hands can affect how well YOU could play something. The shape of your lips, the structure of your teeth, and your overall size all can play a part. Mr. Casazza will help identify these sorts of characteristics to be sure you play an instrument on which you will have fun AND be successful!
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