1. How much does it cost to be in Band?

We do not want any family to be concerned about the cost for Band. We do our best to make Band affordable for every student. There is a standard Band Fee to help with daily operations of the program, t-shirts/polos, and to pay for trips to performances. More detailed information about Band Fees will be covered at the Beginning Band Parent Meeting in August.

2. Which instruments are in the Beginning Band?

As seen on the videos above, Beginners are started on flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, horn (still traditionally called the 'French' Horn), trombone, euphonium (pronounced YOU-FOH-NEE-UM) (though some may still call it a 'baritone'), tuba, and percussion.

3. When does my child need an instrument?

It is recommended that your child have the instrument at the beginning of the school year. This does not include students playing on school-provided instruments.

4. Is it better to rent or purchase an instrument?

RENT! RENT! RENT! RENT! Since your student is starting out in Band, it is always better to rent rather than purchase outright. If you notice after 6th Grade that your child is taking a liking to the instrument, then you can speak with the music store about purchasing the instrument down the line. Both new and used instruments go through the same inspection process at the music store, but having a new instrument guarantees that the student is playing on the best instrument possible.

5. What if I chose to purchase a used instrument on the Internet?

Two words of advice: BUYER BEWARE! While some used instruments are good bargains, you could possibly end up spending most of your money on repairing it. If you do choose to purchase a used instrument, please set up an appointment with of the Directors to inspect the instrument prior to you purchasing it. If you cannot contact a Director, take the instrument to a local music store for a trained repair technician to evaluate the instrument. Also, do not purchase an instrument from a pawn shop or department store. Remember the old saying, "If it's too good to be true...." Again, we recommend that you RENT RENT RENT RENT an instrument the first year.

6. Can my child play on a school-owned instrument?

Yes, depending on instrument placement and availability. The primary school-owned instruments are oboe, bassoon, horn, euphonium, and tuba. These instruments are provided by the school because they are too expensive to rent from a music store. Students will be assigned these instruments upon placement in the class.

We are fortunate at Lyles to have a number of school-owned instruments available for each woodwind and brass instrument (except alto saxophone). Families needing to use a school-owned instrument for flute, clarinet, trumpet, and trombone must speak with a Director as it is not guaranteed that all students can be placed on a school-owned instrument. Students selected to play on a school-owned instrument are required to pay a $50 Instrument Usage Fee, and will still be required to purchase necessary accessories for the instrument.

7. Should my child start playing over the summer?

We prefer to start all students together during the first week of school. If you were able to secure an instrument over the summer, we would like for your student to avoid establishing bad habits by trying to learn the instrument ahead of proper training from a Director.

8. When is Band class?

Beginning Band classes meet for 90 minutes every day. Classes meet for the entire school year. Classes are grouped according to instrument. Some classes maintain a small numbers to help with supervision of student’s progress. Since almost every student in the class has little to no prior experience on the instrument, we ask that both students and parents be patient and committed for the entire school year in order to get the full benefit of band instruction.

9. Does my child need previous musical training?

No. We teach everyone "from scratch" regardless of whether or not they have had previous music training. Material used in Beginning Band are designed for the untrained student. We emphasize 2 basic fundamentals: reading music and playing an instrument.

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

This is always a major concern for parents in deciding whether their child should participate in Band or any other music course. The most important requirement for success is the child's desire to succeed. Also, there are resources available to help parents with no musical background to help their child succeed at learning a musical instrument.

11. What about being in Band and other Electives?

In 6th grade, NO. In 7th and 8th grade, YES. Usually, students only have ONE elective in 6th grade. In 7th & 8th grade students will have more elective choices. There are many students who are in Band, Athletics, and other organizations on campus. This is again why we encourage students to start Band in 6th grade, so they will have room in their schedule for other electives alongside Band in 7th & 8th grade. Please speak with a Director for more information.

12. Does the Beginning Band have a lot of performances?

No. Again, the emphasis is on learning the instrument. Beginning Band will have five (5) REQUIRED performances in the first year: Fall Showcase (October), Winter Concert (December), Spring Festival Invitational Performance (May), and the Spring Concert (May). These events are combined, but there is also the Solo Festival (March); which will be at individual performance times. There will be after school rehearsals prior to the major performances (see Band Calendar).

13. How much does my child need to practice?

1) All Lumberjack Band students are required to practice every day.

All instruments are required to be taken home every day even if they cannot practice that evening. If your child is unable to practice at home, the Band Hall is open every morning from 8:00 to 8:40 and from 4:15 to 5:15 every evening. However, arrangements must be made with a Director by the parent in order for students to practice in the Band Hall. 

2) Beginning Band students will have "staggered" practice requirements. 

Beginners have to build "musical stamina" in order to be prepared for later performances in the year and to transition to Advanced Band in 7th grade. At the start of the school year, Directors will assign classes a specific amount of time each week based on the progress of the individual. After some time, students will be re required to practice up to 30 minutes every day outside of class. 

Directors will inform Beginning Band students of when they will be able to come into the Band Hall to practice because we want to actively monitor and guide them through the "practice process."

14. Can my child still participate in Band if they fail a class?

Academic success is the main focus at Lyles Collegiate Intermediate. The Directors, like you, encourage and expect students to pass all courses. Grades and behavior can effect participation in Beginning Band. This is a standard that has been set now because when going on to the 7th & 8th grade bands (and the high school band), students will be competing in both individual and group competitions. Grades do not, however, effect the daily participation and membership in band, or participation in the concerts. Poor grades and behavior can affect participation in competitions.