Join the Band!
New to Beckendorff? Please fill out the New Student Survey so that we can place you in the right class. Thanks!
Welcome to the Beckendorff Junior High Band!
We are excited that you have chosen to be a part of the band! Please read through all of the information on this page to learn about the band, complete our Instrument Selection Survey, and sign up for a meeting with the band directors to be placed on an instrument.
How Instrument Selection Works
The first step in joining the band is choosing an instrument. This is one of the decisions that will have the greatest impact on a student’s success in band.
Many factors, such as hand size, jaw shape and size, structure of the teeth, shape of the lips, coordination, etc. play an important role in determining which instruments would be most suitable for each student. We also take into consideration the instrumentation needs of the band (because a band can't be all one instrument, just like a football team can't be all quarterbacks!) and the student's academic schedule (because some classes only meet at the same time as certain beginner classes). CLICK HERE for more information regarding our instrumentation philosophy.
After selecting what instruments they might like to play, students and parents will fill out a survey to give us information that will help us know which instruments might work for each child. Then, each student must meet with a band director to be evaluated for an instrument. No student will be approved without meeting with a Beckendorff Junior High band director. We'll help you choose the best instrument for you at your Instrument Selection Meeting!
#1 - The First Step: Learning About the Instruments
Check out the different instruments available in the band and see which ones you think you might like! As you look them over, keep in mind that you'll be asked to choose a first, second, and third choice instrument in the Instrument Selection Survey. Click here for our online instrument resources.
#2 - Fill out the Instrument Selection Survey
Once you have an idea as to the instruments you wish to be considered for, fill out our Band Instrument Selection Survey. Some instruments have a limited class size, so be sure to have those first, second, and third choices ready!
This survey asks questions of parents AND children, so please be sure you're together when you click below to go to the survey. It should take about 5-10 minutes of your time.
Instrument Selection Survey 2024
#3 - Meet with the Band Directors
At the end of the Instrument Selection Survey, you'll find a link to the Sign-Up Genius to sign up for an in-person meeting with the band directors.
At this meeting, we will speak with each student to find out which instruments they're interested in playing, let them see the instruments and try out different mouthpieces, and evaluate them to see which instruments they can be the most successful on. At the end of your meeting, after you've had a chance to see and try out different instruments, we'll ask for your official first and second choice instruments!
#4 - Email Confirmation
After we've met with all the incoming beginners, we'll send parents or guardians an email with information about what instrument their child will play next year, along with supply lists and information about instrument rentals. Stay tuned- we'll let you know your instrument as soon as we can!
We're excited to have you and your child join our Bear Band family, and we look forward to meeting you soon!