FAQ's

1. When do the band classes meet?

Beginning band meets as a regular class for 45 minutes at different times throughout the school day. Students are grouped into classes according to what instrument they play. The teacher-pupil ratio is kept low to facilitate individual supervision of student’s progress. Skills develop slowly at first, therefore, students and parents must be patient and committed for the entire school year in order to get the full benefit of band instruction. Skills developed during beginner band are to prepare students for 7th and 8th grade.

2. What instruments are available to learn in beginning band?

Beginners will have the opportunity to learn flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, and percussion. After you sign up for band, the Myers band directors will contact you to set-up a personalized instrument selection meeting. At this meeting you will have the opportunity to try-out all 11 instruments available to find the best fit!

3. Is any previous musical training necessary?

No. The method books used in beginner band are designed to facilitate the learning of all students regardless of previous musical training. We teach the fundamentals of reading music as well as the fundamentals of playing an instrument. As students progress, you will be able to recognize familiar tunes (by the time of our Winter Concert, you should be very impressed!). Their progress culminates in the Spring Concert at the end of the year.

​4. Can my child be successful even if I don’t have musical talent?

Yes! The most important requirement for success is the desire to succeed. We begin students from a very basic yet detailed approach to learning the instrument. Students are taught basic fundamental building blocks that will make them successful throughout their senior year in the Ryan High School Band and beyond!

5. When do students need instruments?

Instruments will be needed on the first day of school. Locked storage for all instruments is provided in the band hall. Please make sure that the case is labeled with a nametag. Don’t wait too long, music companies can sometimes get backordered later in the summer. We will have a music company representative attend our instrument selection meeting for you to reserve an instrument for the fall.

6. Should I rent or purchase an instrument?

Renting an instrument will give your child the opportunity to begin in band with only a small initial investment. For a low monthly rate, your child can have the advantages of a brand new intermediate model instrument, such as pride of ownership and freedom from error due to poor equipment. Instruments are “Rent-to-own” which means that all rental payments go towards the cost of purchasing the instrument and you will eventually own it outright. The instruments on our approved list are chosen to have the highest quality and durability for their price range, and if properly maintained, will last all the way through 12th grade. There will never be a need to upgrade to a professional model. The instrument can be returned to the music company at any time without further obligation. Buying an instrument costs a little less in the long run, but most families prefer the flexibility of store rental programs.

***Once an instrument is selected for your student, we will give you detailed instructions on how to rent or buy. Prices vary depending on the instrument. If prices are ever a problem, please contact the directors so we can help!

7. What about buying used instruments?

Some used instruments are a good bargain; however, you could possibly end up spending more money on repairs than the instrument is worth. For this reason, we ask that if you do decide to purchase a used instrument, let a Myers band director examine the classified listing or the instrument itself prior to purchase. Local music stores and former band students are excellent sources of used instruments. You might see if the music companies have used instruments available. Please do not purchase instruments at a pawnshop. We have found that nearly all pawnshop instruments are of very poor quality. Also, please do not purchase a musical instrument from a department store. These instruments are poorly made, with inferior materials that once broken, are not usually repairable. Again, we recommend that you rent an instrument the first year from a reputable music company.

8. Can my child start playing as soon as he/she gets an instrument?

In order to prevent potential damage to the instrument and the formation of bad habits, we prefer that the instrument stay in the case during the summer. When you rent/purchase from a music company, the store will deliver the instrument and materials to our band hall before the first day of school, where they will stay until after formal instruction has been given on the care and assembly of the instrument. This is to protect your investment! An additional option for eager students is to start band this summer with a private lesson teacher. This is a chance to get one-on-one help and be set-up for success with one of the professional musicians who teach on our campus each week. The teachers understand that some lessons might have to be rescheduled due to family vacations. A list of private teachers that teach on campus at Myers is listed on our website and will also be provided at the instrument selection meeting.

9. Can my child participate in both athletics and band at the same time?

Yes! If it fits on your schedule, we can make it work. There are many middle school students who are in band, athletics, and other classes such as theater, art, Spanish, etc. Because of the unique nature of playing a musical instrument, we try to encourage students to begin band in 6th grade and then take other electives along with band in their 7th and 8th grade years. If you want your child to learn a band instrument, you will need to put band as your first choice for an elective. In 7th and 8th grade, the school administration, coaches, classroom teachers and band directors work together to avoid conflicts in scheduling. We have current Myers Band members who are also in 7th and 8th grade football, volleyball, basketball, cross country, track, and many other extra-curricular clubs and organizations.

10. Will my child get to perform in 6th grade?

Beginners will get to perform at least three times during their first year in band: We will have a Winter Concert in December, the Pride of Texas contest in May, and our Spring Concert in May.

11. Does the band ever take trips?

Throughout the year, you will have the opportunity to go on trips to see professional band performances by the UNT Wind Symphony and the Lone Star Wind Orchestra. In 6th grade, students will take a trip to the PinStack Plano to perform, and 7th and 8th graders will perform at the Murchison Performing Arts Center and at the Beach Within Reach festival which involves spending most of the day at the Hurricane Harbor Water Park.

12. Are private lessons available? Are they required?

Private lessons are available for grades 6-12 and are strongly encouraged for all students, but are not required. If your child takes private lessons, he/she will receive one-on-one instruction from a professional musician who plays their instrument (all of which have graduate degrees). Lessons are held once a week at Myers Middle School at a cost of $18 per half hour. Private lessons provide enrichment for students who excel quickly and remediation for students that need it. Given a choice, it would be more beneficial for a student to rent a less expensive instrument and participate in the private lessons program than to purchase an expensive professional model instrument and not take lessons! Lessons are important and are a key element of our band program’s success.