Beginning Band is a YEAR-LONG course for ANY student (7th or 8th grade) that is interested in learning a wind (woodwind/brasswind) or percussion instrument. 

Students learn the basic building blocks of music, go through the process of selecting their instrument, explore and learn more about their selected instrument, and perform for their peers, families, and community! 

NO! In Beginning Band we teach you EVERYTHING that you need to know to begin your musical journey!

YES! 

We go through a process to find which instrument that you will be assigned to for the year. 

• We learn a little about EVERY instrument so we know what the possibilities are

• We test EACH instrument in an Instrument Petting Zoo to see where we excel

• We complete an Instrument Selection Form with our TOP 3 choices

• Mr. Zane will take care of the rest. He normally is able to keep everyone on one of their 3 choices

NO! We provide instruments through the school for students to rent FREE OF CHARGE. 

Any student who DOES have their own instrument is always welcome to use it during school and store it in the Band Room.

Students who are looking to buy their own instrument should ALWAYS ask Mr. Zane BEFORE buying their instrument to ensure they are getting a GOOD QUALITY instrument.

YES! Students are required to purchase their own materials to perform on their instruments (i.e. mouthpieces, neckstraps, sticks, mallets, method books, etc). A price list will be sent out with students after going through the instrument selection process. 

Students may purchase a "Care Kit" through the Band AFTER all students have selected their instruments. Families may also choose to purchase the required materials on their own. 

If you already play and/or have a band instrument, Mr. Zane will try to keep you on your instrument, unless you'd like to try something new! 

If you have been playing your instrument for more than a year and would like to audition into the Intermediate Band please set up a time to perform for Mr. Zane (have music from your most recent performance or music that you're currently working on). Mr. Zane will make a decision whether or not you will be able to move up into the Intermediate Band after hearing you perform. 

YES! Concerts are part of your grade! 

In Beginning Band you only perform at TWO concerts... one in December and one in May. 

Yes and no... It's not a class that you just "show up" and get an A...

You will need to put in time and effort into learning your instrument and learning how to play. Nothing happens overnight without any effort. 

Intermediate Band is a YEAR-LONG course for students who have been playing their instrument for, at least, ONE YEAR. The Intermediate Band performs at MANY concerts and events throughout the year, many of them are outside of school hours.

For students to join Intermediate Band they must:

1) Pass Beginning Band with a C or better and receive Mr. Zane's approval.

2) Audition with Mr. Zane to move from Beginning to Intermediate Band

YES! The Intermediate Band is a more advanced group. You will need to know how to read music (without writing in note names in your music) and be proficient on your instrument to join this group. 

NO! We provide instruments through the school for students to rent FREE OF CHARGE. 

Any student who DOES have their own instrument is always welcome to use it during school and store it in the Band Room.

Students who are looking to buy their own instrument should ALWAYS ask Mr. Zane BEFORE buying their instrument to ensure they are getting a GOOD QUALITY instrument.

YES! You should have your own mouthpiece, neck strap, sticks/mallets, etc. before joining this group. 

Students will also be asked to buy a "Music Department Polo Shirt" ($25) as part of our "Informal Concert Uniform". We do try to fundraise to lower the cost as much as possible for these Polo Shirts. 

In addition to the Winter (December) and Spring (May) concerts the Intermediate Band performs at the Central District Band Festival Parade of Bands, the Radford Complex Music Festival, school concerts (including those for special guests on campus), any recruiting concerts, and any concerts during overnighters or trips.

All concerts will count towards students' grades (excluding recruiting concerts, overnighter concerts, trip concerts). 

Like Beginning Band there is a lot of work to be done in this course! Intermediate Band is also not an "Easy A." 

You will need to put in more time to learn all the music and practice to continue to improve your playing!