Lessons (Band)

A vital part of the instrumental program is the pullout lesson. Students in 5th through 8th Grade Band are pulled out of a class to receive a 20-minute group lesson. These group lessons are of like instruments when possible and with students from the same ensemble. This allows the director to not only teach new skills, but also to rehearse the ensemble music with the entire section.

It is the student’s responsibility to make up any missed work, if any, during their lesson time.

Lessons are the time when students can ask questions about the music; get help with specific sections of the music, or master new concepts. Students are required to bring the following to their lessons: their instrument, a pencil, and music.

The key to a productive lesson is to practice at home!

Practicing Procedures (Band)

How do I practice? This is the most common question asked when learning how to play an instrument. Proper practicing equals a solid foundation for that instrument. In lessons, we talk about how to take the music apart into small pieces and put it back together into larger chunks.

How long do I practice? For every student this answer changes depending on how long they have been playing their instrument. For beginners, 5-10 minutes every night. For the more advanced students, 15-20 minutes every night. The muscles in your face and fingers have not been used like this before, so they need to be worked a little bit every day. Muscle memory is created through consistent practice.

Rehearsal Procedures (Band and Chorus)

Full ensemble rehearsals are scheduled during the school day, typically during the student’s enrichment or study hall periods. These rehearsals are 50- minutes long, so being prepared and ready to work is a must.

1. Please keep personal conversations out of rehearsal; it is distracting to the director and other students around you

2. If you have a question please raise you hand.

3. Come to rehearsal prepared with your instrument, a pencil, and your music in your binder / folder.