BAND 2023-2024
Ms. Kasper and Mr. Schneider
Please go to my homepage to sign up for band, orchestra, and chorus
Concert Dates and Concert Attire Email - sent home Sep. 8, 2022
When does band meet to rehearse?
Band meets as one giant ensemble on Wednesday afternoonss from 2-2:45. Students also have their 30 minute lessons on Wednesdays during the schooll day. Be sure your child has their instrument and book when they come to school on Wednesdays!
When does the band get to perform?
We only have two concerts this year and they are MANDATORY so please plan accordingly. Nothing makes me sadder than a student who puts in months of effort and isn't able to play with the group and for an audience. Parents, I count on you to prioritize this so everyone - students, families, and friends - can enjoy the best performance possible. Mark your calendars!!
CONCERT DATES
Wednesday, Jan. 24 - Winter Concert at Glenbrook Middle School 7 PM
Snow date Thursday, Jan.
Wednesday, May 29 - Spring Concert at Glenbrook Middle School 7 PM
Students will need to arrive early (exact time will be announced close to the performance date) to check-in, warm up, and find their spots on the steps.
What should band members wear to their concerts?
Students should plan to wear concert dress which is white tops, black shoes, and black bottoms (pants or at least knee-length skirts because the chorus sits on steps during the concert). Any student may wear a fun tie if they'd like to. :)
Make sure you bring your instrument and lesson book to school on your lesson day and on Wednesdays for band :)
Please visit the website to the right, Beginning Band Bootcamp, for video tutorials on assembling, cleaning, and maintaining your specific instrument.
There are also helpful guides to reading music if you get stuck. :)
These are for you Clarinets!
Here you go trumpets!
Beginning of the year message...
Hello to band members and families!
Mr. Schneider and I are so excited to get playing this year! Our weekly 45-minute rehearsal with all of us together will be from 2-2:45 on Wednesdays. You will each have a weekly 30-minute lesson as well. Make sure you bring your instrument AND lesson book to the music room every Friday morning at the start of school!
Below are links to Gerry's Music Shop, Falcetti Music, and Performance Music. Here you can find out how to rent an instrument as well as which book to buy. You are welcome to secure an instrument elsewhere for your child but I definitely recommend renting in case of accidents, to build some equity, and in case your child changes their mind! Also, Gerry's and Falcetti's send out a rep every week so if there are repairs that need taking care of bits you might need (neckstraps, music stands, the correct reeds) you don't need to make the trip over to South Hadley or Chicopee - it can all be done through school!
As hard as it is, if you pick the instruments yourselves, please don't take the instruments out of their cases before we go over how to do it correctly in our lessons. They can be easily damaged if not assembled carefully and correctly.
I encourage you to check out the Gerry's , Falcetti's, or Performance Music websites ASAP so your child will be ready for lessons beginning soon. Please contact the music stores for specific instrument questions and email any other questions to me at awesthaver@longmeadow.k12.ma.us.