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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHO MAY JOIN BAND AND ORCHESTRA?
Any 5th grader can join and learn an instrument!
CAN MY STUDENT JOIN IF THEY CANNOT ATTEND TRY-OUT DAY OR INSTRUMENT RENTAL NIGHT?
Yes! Sign up via the Registration Link or QR Code on the instrumental music flier and return your instrument rental contract if needed
WHEN DO CLASSES MEET?
Band and Orchestra classes meet at school, 2 times a week during the school day. Students are responsible for making up any missed work in their classroom. We will start after Rental Night, so look for a schedule in your classroom.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Lessons are FREE! Students will need to buy a book ($10) and any supplies needed, please download this list from the Supply list page on our website, for their instrument. Some instruments take more to maintain than others, so be sure to ask the music stores.
WHAT ABOUT AN INSTRUMENT?
Students have several music stores from which to rent and rentals usually cost between $20 and $40 per month. Some stores give discounts for the first couple months, so you can make sure this is what you want to do. The school has some instruments students may borrow for $125 for the school year.
Scholarships are available for these school instruments as well, but you must purchase your own supplies
(about $20-40, depending on instrument choice). Music stores accept cash, check, or credit cards. If you are wishing to purchase an instrument, please check with your student’s instrumental music instructor to ensure quality of instrument.
WHAT IF I CAN’T AFFORD AN INSTRUMENT?
Students on Free or Reduced Lunch can get a reduced fee for their instrument if they borrow from the school. We do have a limited supply, so be sure to have a 2nd or 3rd choice in mind if you can’t get your favorite. Signups for school-owned instruments will take place at Rental Night but you must purchase your own supplies and book. You must have your Free/Reduced Lunch documentation/waiver on file at your school to qualify for waived school fees. A school instrument costs $125.00 per year to borrow.
WHAT IS YOUR STUDENT'S CONCERT ATTIRE?
Concert attire is black shirt, black pants/long black skirt, black shoes, and tall black socks. If you have a specific question regarding concert attire, contact your student's instrumental teacher.
HOW MUCH TIME AFTER SCHOOL DOES IT TAKE TO BE IN BAND OR ORCHESTRA?
We have after school concerts each year that instrumental music students are responsible to attend. A concert schedule will be posted in our first newsletter linked on our website. Students are also expected to practice about 10 minutes per day. Make sure you are willing to commit to practicing before you sign up!
HOW LONG IS THE COMMITMENT FOR BAND AND ORCHESTRA?
Band and Orchestra is a yearlong commitment. Please push your student to get through the hard parts of the year; their hard work and perseverance will pay off!
Why Music?
Why Music?
Want to know HOW to support music or WHERE to get involved? Please visit these websites to learn more!
National Association Of Music Merchants - Why Music Matters
National Association for Music Educators - Music Advocacy
Music Quotations
“People haven't always been there for me but music always has.”
― Taylor Swift
“If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.”
― Albert Einstein
“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.”
― Plato
""Ah, music," he said, wiping his eyes. "A magic beyond all we do here!""
- J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
"If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music."
- Albert Einstein
Practice Tips
Practice Tips
When should you practice?
*“Only on the days you eat!” -Dr. Suzuki
*Try to practice at the same time each time you practice. Setting up a routine can really help!
* Practicing at least 10 minutes every day will really help your learning in the classroom and help for your performances!
How do you practice?
Set GOALS to try to accomplish in each practice session.
What am I trying to do?
Be sure you know what the passage should SOUND like.
What does this sound like?
Work on the most CHALLENGING spots first.
What are the hard parts?
Break the music down into SMALL sections (How do you eat an elephant? - One bite at a time!)
Pick one measure or a few measures or a whole line to work on first.
Use a PENCIL to write in helpful information.
Should I write in this fingering? What’s this note?
REPEAT the passage many times AFTER you get it right.
I need to play this a few more times.
Before you end each practice session, PLAY the entire piece, and enjoy!
Can I play the whole piece without stopping?
*Source: http://www.dsokids.com/athome/practice.aspx
Cool Links
Cool Links
Want to compose your own music? You can customize your own manuscript paper, print, and compose!
Videos about every instrument and so much more!
*Tuner, metronome and recording capabilities. Great practice tool and, it's FREE!
*Band kids - your notes may not match what you see on the tuner. Please speak to Ms. Austin if you have questions.
*Music trivia, radio and podcast downloads, weekly composer feature, games, careers in music, information for parents
*Compose your own music
Dallas Symphony Orchestra kids
*Games, famous recordings, composer biographies, ideas to make you own instrument, practice tips, information for parents
*Learn about jazz music, listen to musical examples, explore what makes jazz music different than other types of music
*Musical arcade, games, coloring sheets, blank music (manuscript) paper that you can print from your own computer, information on composers and musical instruments, information for parents
*Music trivia and facts, information about instruments, a fun musical newsletter, a young composer's interview
*Create a postcard, test your musical vocabulary, study the instruments in the orchestra!
*Celebrate diversity in classical music and learn about other cultures, learn about different composer ethnicities and how they're diverse lifestyles have impacted their love of music!
*Laugh about different instruments and musicians
*Awesome quotes about music or by musicians!
*TONS of videos and helpful tools to help you learn to play your instrument.
*Keep a steady beat and gradually increase the tempo as your skills improve.
*Test your knowledge of note names and fingerings for your instrument!
You can find many wonderful apps that can help with note reading such as Staff Wars, Whack - A - Note, etc.
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