HMS Beginning Band
BEGIN HERE!
No previous knowledge or skills needed! We start building your musical skills and knowledge with your first instrument. Students learn all the building blocks and fundamentals of musical literacy, proper playing fundamentals, and a LOT of music technology to aid us along the way. Each student will perform in 3-4 concerts during the school year (in evenings). The foundations laid in our beginning band classes is built upon for all the following years of playing your instrument.
Band is a REAL CLASS in the Middle School that meets DURING THE SCHOOL DAY! So you can do all your extra curricular activities (sports, clubs, youth groups) AND still learn an instrument!
Your "homework" for band is PLAYING. Band students are expected to play 15-20 minutes per day at home- 5 days per week. Repetition is KEY to making your instrument do what your mind wants it to do! The more you play; the better you feel. The better you feel; the more you want to play!
While there have been past inaccurate suggestions that "music makes you smarter"- PLAYING MUSIC ON AN INSTRUMENT DOES make your BRAIN do amazing things! Your BRAIN ON MUSIC is a better connected system than a "non-musician" brain. (by up to 30%!!) Think of your years of musical training, practice, analysis, and experiences playing an instrument as a turbo charger for your brain!
Doing music with an instrument is not simple (no pain, no gain?). However, the benefits of multiple years of music instrument training are WORTH IT!!
Check out this 2020 article from SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN
Ms. Thurman
This is my second year teaching and my first year at Highland! My favorite thing about teaching so far is the joy and energy that my students bring to my life. It's the best feeling when my students feel accomplished and confident in their skills as musicians and people! I graduated from Butler University in 2023 and am a member of the Indiana Music Educators' Association, where I strive to find new ways to support my students' educational experience.
Our Highland Band students have earned All Region, All State, and NATIONAL placement as soloists and ensemble members. Nearly 35% of our High School Band members have earned a trip to ISSMA State Festival for Solo performances as well.
Band Alumni include Doctors, Lawyers, Pilots, Engineers, Armed Forces members, Teachers, PhD's, and yes, MUSICIANS. Our band program is about opportunity THROUGH performing - while maintaining a healthy balance of LIFE outside of (and with) music!
STEP 1) What are the Instruments available for Beginning Band?
Below are STUDENT (STOH ipad) videos demonstrating all the instruments for Beginning BAND.
2022 Woodwind HMS woodwind demo - SD 480p.movWOODWINDS
Flute, Clarinet, Alto Sax
Beg Brass demo 2022 - SD 480p.movBRASS
Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium
Percussion family demo 2022 website - SD 480p.movPERCUSSION
Marimba and Snare Drum
STEP 2) TRY OUT (play for real) your TOP CHOICES during school!
Try out 4 instruments SAFELY with a professional to see what fits you the best!
"The WAND chooses the WIZARD"
March 10th-11th
STEP 3) Instrument Night for Parents (and YOU) at HMS
March 17th and 18th
RSVP below to select your reserved time slot! Do this WITH YOUR PARENT(s)
One stop shop for all your band instrument needs!
All supplies/instruments purchased or rented will be delivered to HHS for SUMMER BAND CAMP (see below)
Step 4) SUMMER CAMP Save the date!
JULY 28 - AUGUST 8
Learn from the BEST TEACHERS for your instrument for 15 hours to kickstart your beginning band experience. Registration for camp will take place at the instrument sign up night. Consider it required if you want to have a great start to band class when August comes around. Cost is $125 for 15 hours of professional instruction/group lessons with like instrument classes. Camp registration also covers your MakeMusicCloud Subscription for 2024-25 school year.
Camp will meet Monday - Friday in the HHS band room. Times TBA
** IF your student is unable to attend ANY of the camp lessons, we can arrange private lessons to fit your summer schedule with a LOCAL teacher (Highland has several outstanding professional musicians who are excellent teachers). A minimum of 5 lessons will be required to make up for missing the 2 week camp.
IMPORTANT LINKS BELOW:
PARENTS: SEE THE ACTUAL COST OF THE RENTAL PLANS from Q and F. Each instrument has different costs associated with it. Percussion has the highest UP FRONT cost due to the additional drumsticks/mallets and bag, but the actual payment plan afterwards is affordable (about the cost of a tank of gas).
A note about EUPHONIUM: Due to its size, students who select Euphonium will have a "school" instrument and their "home" instrument. The Q and F rental will remain AT HOME during the school year (for daily practicing and concerts) and during the school day, a "School" euphonium will be used. There is a $100 "usage fee" to maintain and clean this instrument - Per STOH policy. A contract will be sent home the first week of school with the payment due at that time.
Other "FUTURE" instruments: Some instruments require additional support for younger players. OBOE, BASSOON, F Horn, and Tuba we typically switch students to AFTER they have demonstrated proficiency on their "beginner" instrument. OBOE and BASSOON may be started on as a first year student, but we STRONGLY RECOMMEND private lessons each week for success!
Not sure what to play? Need some additional guidance on your ability?
Take 10-12 Minutes (and grab some headphones - you'll need them) and try the Instrument Matching Game! Do you have a good "ear" for musical elements like Rhythm, Melody, and Pitch? This short survey will help us get you plugged in to a good fit!