Band Handbook

Welcome to band at Vanier

Band is more than a class—it’s a community.
When your child joined band, they stepped into something truly special: a place where students learn discipline, teamwork, creativity, and joy through music. Here, every note they play contributes to something bigger than themselves.

In band, students grow in confidence, make lasting friendships, and discover the power of perseverance. Whether they dream of becoming professional musicians or simply want to play for fun, band will teach skills that last a lifetime: focus, responsibility, collaboration, and resilience.

We’re so glad you’re part of the Vanier Band family—
let’s make some great music together!

Photo on left:
Senior Band rehearsal. More highlights at the bottom of the page.

A Message from the Band Director

Dear band family,

Congratulations, you have a musician in the family!

The happiest bandie is one who feels confident in playing their instrument. It's no secret: playing their instrument more often leads to greater success. How much is enough? Until they can play their music - this will take longer for some than others.

Objectives of the Band Program

For students to experience the thrill of playing GREAT music!
To develop performance skills on wind, brass, or percussion instruments.
To open minds and horizons through music education as well as experiences.
To gain the ability to work as a responsible member of a group, where they understand that contributing with excellence to a whole is worth it.
To foster leadership skills, musicianship, community, and belonging.

Related article: The Power of Music in Developing Leadership Skills by Furtado School of Music (Nov 2024)

The Power of Parents & Families

Behind every successful band student is a supportive family. Parents and guardians are the true *magic ingredient* of a great band program and confident musician.

Here’s how you can help your child shine:

Encourage practice at home.
A gentle nudge makes a big difference. There is a section on how to make practice even more fun!
Learn how to play.
Have students teach you how to play their instrument - teaching you (problem-solving, fixing hand position, how to breathe properly) will all help their own abilities.
Make concerts a priority.
Performances are the Stanley Cup of band—it’s where all the hard work comes together.
Cheer for even small victories.
A high five after a practice run-through matters more than you know.
Help with instrument care.
Reeds, valve oil, and regular tune-ups keep instruments sounding their best.
Band is a family adventure.
When you show your child that music is worth the time and effort, they’ll believe it too.

Duties of the Band Student

Behind every great band performance is a dedicated student musician!
Band members are the driving force of our program—their focus, effort, and daily practice turn notes on a page into music that inspires.

Prepare for Success
double check what needs to be prepared for next rehearsal and make sure it is ready
Be on time
for every class, rehearsal, and performance. (On time means early enough to set up and warm up.)
Enter with purpose
read the directions on the board, prepare quickly, greet your bandmates and focus on warming up.
Come ready to learn
with all required materials and a positive attitude.
Play with intention
no excess or inappropriate playing—only quality sound when it's time.
Practice consistently
make an effort to improve and maintain a strong routine at home or at lunch at school.
Finish strong
at the end of rehearsal, put away all materials properly and note what to prepare for next time.
Engage with the music
read and play carefully, marking areas of difficulty.
Don't fake it
circle tricky spots and ask for guidance at lunch or in the next rehearsal. It is the director's JOB to help you succeed, so take charge of your learning and ask.

Practice = Progress!

One of the best things about band is that success & confidence are directly tied to effort.

The more you play your instrument, the faster you improve. Think of it like a sport—you can’t sit on the bench all week and then expect to score the winning goal. Instruments need consistent “reps” to get better.

How much?
First - until you know assigned music for next class.

Ideally - 15+ minutes most days is far more effective than one long cram session the night before class. Consistency builds muscle memory and confidence.

Musicians are known as "small-muscle athletes" in that facial muscles (known as your "chops") and arm / hand muscles must be trained to learn what to do, then built up to play higher or faster.

Tips for Students

Break it down: Practice one tricky spot at a time.
New piece? Choose one section then
1. Clap it slowly, write in counting if need be
2. Ghost play it in rhythm, slowly until easier
3. Play it slowly, then build up speed as your muscles remember what to do
Use a metronome (app, YouTube) —it’s your rhythm coach!
Play with a friend - same instrument and/or different instrument.
Record yourself. You’ll hear your progress (and what to fix).
Reward yourself for completing practice sessions—it makes it fun!

Tips for Parents

Encourage practice by making it part of the routine, like brushing teeth.
Ask your child to play for you—it doesn’t have to sound perfect!
Celebrate small wins (getting a note right, finishing a song).

Materials Needed for Class

Materials needed for September:

Working instrument + accessories (listed below)
Gr 6 only: Habits of a Successful Beginner Musician (green book) for your instrument
**NEW BOOK - Let Long & McQuade know ahead that you want to order one
1 inch black binder with 3 dividers (separate binder from other subjects)
Dividers labelled: Warm Ups, Music, Other
Pencils for writing in music, completing theory
(If possible - something to put pencils in + inserted in binder)
Music stand (for proper home practice)
(optional) A metronome will help strengthen performance skills right away!
(optional 7 & 8) A tuner to help develop intonation skills.

Instrument Accessories to get:

Flutes

Cleaning Rod

Small piece of 4” x 4” cloth (for cleaning the flute)

Clarinet

Clarinet Swab

Cork Grease

Moutpiece CapGr 6: 6 reeds - size 2.5 strength
Gr 7 & 8: 2 reeds at 2.5 (first of year), 6 reeds at 3 strength

Saxophone

2 reeds at 2.5 (first of year), 6 reeds at 3 strength

Saxophone Swab

Cork Grease

Harness strap is better for growing spines / necks
Saxophone end cap

Mouthpiece cap

Trumpet / Euphonium / Tuba

Valve Oil

Slide Grease

Cleaning Snake (keep at home)

French Horn
Slide grease

Trombone

Cleaning Snake (keep at home)

Slide Cream

Small Spray Bottle (for spraying water on the slide)

Percussion

Vic Firth SD1 Snare drum sticks *Yes, the brand matters

Hard bell mallets

Practice pad

Stick bag

Gr 6: Practice set of bells for school & home
Gr 7 & 8: Yarn mallets (medium hard) + Timpani mallets (general)

Band Uniform & Swag

Unless otherwise specified, the band uniform for concerts and performances will be:

Black shoes (no white or other colours)
Black socks / tights (orange is NOT the new black)
Black pants / long skirt
Black shirt / GPV Band Tshirt

Calendar of Events 2025-2026

Beginner Band Camp - gr 6 & beginners
Saturday October 4

3rd Annual Craft Fair hosted by GPV Band Program - Senior Band
Saturday October 18

Music for A Winter's Eve Concert - All band students
December

"Wicked: For Good" Movie Field Trip - All band students invited
Wednesday December

Final Concert & Awards
June

Band Curriculum

Grade 7 & 8 Band Curriculum

Extra-Curricular Options

Extra curricular ensembles will begin the week of September 15th, 2025.
Students are to sign up on the band bulletin board and bring in the Extra Curricular Ensemble Contract LINKED HERE

Tour Band
This is our versatile group where students get to take their musicianship on the road. We perform everything from pop hits and classic concert band pieces to jazz, marches, and sweeping overtures—plus creative showstoppers like Mechanical Monsters, a dramatic, sound-effects-packed piece that always brings the house down. If you love variety, challenge, and sharing music with new audiences, Tour Band is the place to be!

Rehearsals: Wednesdays 7:45-8:40am, students should arrive 5-10 mins earlier so they can set up and warm up before 7:45am downbeat.

Eligibility: Grade 7 & 8 bandies with prior band experience, advanced gr 6 students

This group is planning to perform recruiting concerts at our elementary schools this year like we did Ash Lee Jefferson Elementary last Spring. Students emceed, sections were featured to promote their instrument, and the band engaged students with a variety of selections from beautiful to fun.

Drumline
This is our high-energy rhythm team where students get to drive the beat and bring the excitement! Our drumline blends precision, teamwork, and creativity while exploring a variety of grooves—from powerful cadences to funky rhythms and everything in between. Performances are always a crowd favourite, and members learn skills that sharpen timing, coordination, and stage presence. No percussion experience necessary, piano is helpful.

Rehearsals: Tuesdays after school, 3:05–4:30pm. Students should be prepared to put away all gear before leaving for the day.

Eligibility: Open first to Gr 6–8 percussionists, then to any Grade 7 & 8 band student. Up to 25 spots are available.

This group is planning exciting performances throughout the year, showcasing the drive and spirit of the Vanier Band program while giving audiences a reason to tap their toes!

Attendance Policy for Extra Curricular Ensembles
Because progress is made each week, missing rehearsals can compromise the group's progress.

1. Attendance is essential. Each student’s part contributes to the whole.
2. Where possible, please inform the director in advance if a rehearsal will be missed (Remind app)
3. Unexcused absences may impact participation in performances.

Resolving Schedule Conflicts
We have many students who participate in band and in sports - how wonderful! It is the policy of the band director to help resolve any conflicts that may arise. Student communication with the director prior to rehearsal is key - let's trade practice one week, band the next or half 'n half.
Close to the concert / band trip? Come to band.
Game day? Go to practice.

HIGHLIGHTS OF 2024-2025