FAQ

• What is band?

  • Band is one of the Connection class offerings at Coleman Middle School. Rehearsals are part of the school schedule 2-3 days per week. Band is a combination of woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. 6th Grade beginning students have the option of choosing flute, clarinet, trumpet, or trombone. Students will have the option of a one-time switch to one of the following instruments after our first concert: oboe, bassoon, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, horn, baritone, tuba, percussion.

• Why only four instruments to start?

  • Imagine you are a 6th grade math teacher trying to teach twenty-five 11-year-olds how to calculate unit rate. Now double the number of students (50) and instead of only teaching a math concept, you are also trying to teach them language arts, social studies, and science at the same time.  This is essentially what it is like teaching band. We have very large classes and each instrument (we have 14 of them) requires a unique skill set. Narrowing the instrument choices to only four is not only less overwhelming for the students, but also gives the director a chance to teach the fundamentals of wind instrument playing with a more concentrated focus on fewer instruments. This means that students get to spend more time playing/learning their instrument rather than waiting to go around to all the other sections for their turn.

• How many out of school requirements are there?

  • Most students have minimal out of school requirements. 6th grade band will have three after school concerts. 7th and 8th grade requirements increase to 4-5 concerts after school and 3-4 before school rehearsals combined ensemble for performance evaluation concert preparations (January, February, and March).

  • Students looking for more performance opportunities will have many by joining the CMS Honor Band and participating in District and All-State Honor auditions.

• What is the cost to join band?

  • There is a $40 fee to join band. This fee covers consumable individual materials (6th grade polo shirt, and 6th/7th grade method books) and the minimal operating cost of the band program. We will have an annual fund-raiser to raise money for the band. 

*Please note that this fee does not cover the cost of an instrument (see How do I get an instrument? below)

*Please contact Mr. Bertram if your family is not able to pay the fee. We do not anyone to miss out on this opportunity due to finances.

• How do I get an instrument?

  • Instruments can be rented from a variety of local music stores. Brochures will be distributed when your student samples the instrument. We recommend renting a quality instrument over purchasing a cheap one.

*We have a limited supply of school-owned instruments. Please contact Mr. Bertram if the cost of renting an instrument is cost prohibitive.

• What about private lessons?

  • We highly recommend private lessons, especially for beginners if the cost fits in your family budget. Beginning students will get the most 'bang for your buck' during the early stages, though private lessons are also extremely beneficial for students looking to take their music experience to the next level. Private instructors can help students prepare for District/All-State auditions. Here is  a list of instrument specific private instructors in the area.