contact ropina@menifeeusd.org if you have any questions

Performance Ensembles Offered

Symphonic Band: for players with 2-3 or more years of experience. Symphonic band meets daily during the school day, and has frequent performances throughout the year. Teacher approval is required.

Concert Band: for players with 1 year of experience. Concert band meets daily during the school day, and has several performances throughout the year. Teacher approval is required.

Cadet Band: for 6th grade students who completed a year of 5th-grade band . Cadet band meets daily during the school day, and has 2-4 performances throughout the year.

Beginning Band: No experience required. Students pick one instrument to learn the entire school year. Students can learn flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone, tuba, and percussion. Beginning band meets daily during the school day.

Jazz Band: This is an extracurricular ensemble that meets before school. Students should be enrolled in music class to join this group. Piano, drum set, bass guitar, and guitar players with experience are needed for this group. Jazz band has frequent performances throughout the year. Teacher approval is required.

Drumline: This is an extracurricular ensemble that meets before and after school. While this group is open to any music student we have a limited amount of instruments for this group. Drumline performs throughout the year.

Band Commitment

Students commit to:

- - Come to class with their instrument in good playing condition, instrument accessories such as reeds and valve oil, music, pencil, and a positive and hard-working attitude.
  - Be in band for the entire school year
  - Attend all performances in proper performance attire. Concert attendance in proper concert uniform is expected. We want our bands to look uniform and professional.
    - - General Concert Uniform Guidelines:
        ALL BLACK BOTTOMS MEANS ALL-BLACK BOTTOMS, including pants, shoes, socks, and belt (if you choose to wear one). Skirts are fine and should fall past the knees.
        Please do not wear ripped or worn jeans, leggings, sneakers, combat-type boots, or items with large logos. For females black flats are okay.
        In colder weather black long-sleeve shirts, not sweaters or hoodies, worn under the band shirt is fine.
        Avoid flashy jewelry or hairstyles.
        Band shirts should be tucked in.
    - Concert Uniforms for Symphonic Band. There are three different combinations.
      - Semi-formal uniform: Black band shirt and ALL-BLACK DRESS bottoms.
        Formal Uniform: ALL BLACK, including a dressy top, long-sleeve button-up shirt, or polo. Avoid large logos. Dresses that fall past the knees are fine. Black ties and jackets are optional.
        Casual Uniform: Black band shirt and anything on the bottom (preferably blue or black jeans).
    - Concert Uniform for Concert Band
      - Black band shirt and ALL BLACK BOTTOMS.
    - Concert Uniform for Beginner Band and Cadet Band
      - Green band shirt and ALL BLACK BOTTOMS.
  - Practice at home every day.
  - To treat all band members (including the band director), instruments, equipment, and materials with respect, and to only play your assigned instrument.
  - Keep the instrument in good playing condition.

Parents can help by:

- - Encouraging your child to practice. Have them perform a "mini-concert" once in a while. Provide a place and time to practice that is free of distractions.
  - Getting the required materials, and music stand for home practice.
  - Getting instruments repaired in a timely manner.
  - Taking your child to a live band or orchestra concert.
  - Investing in private lessons.

Getting an Instrument

School Instruments - UPDATED for the 2025-56 School Year

- - We have a limited supply of school instruments to loan out for a donation of $50. This helps cover repairs and maintenance. We tend to run out of flutes, clarinets, saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and percussion. Cash or card donations are made to the ASB window. (Tip: All payments are made to the ASB window.)

Renting or purchasing an Instrument

I highly recommend renting an instrument from a music store before buying an instrument. Our local music stores are Bertrands Music and Music and Arts . Several stores do online rentals and deliver instruments to the school.

I recommend only purchasing from music stores, local or online. Please contact me before purchasing an instrument from a non-music store or through apps (such as Offer Up or Facebook Marketplace). You may be able to find a good deal, but you might also purchase a "lemon". Purchasing the wrong instrument will limit student success and may require frequent repair.

Brands to look for:
- - All Instuments - Jupiter, Yamaha, Bundy, Selmer
  - Brass Specific - Blessing, Getzen, Bach
  - Flutes - Gemeinhardt, Armstrong
  - Clarinet - Vito, Buffet or Buffet Crampon
  - Saxophone - P. Muriat

Repairs

Your child's instrument may need various repairs throughout the year. Please let me inspect the instrument before taking it to a music store. I can perform various repairs, saving you a trip to the shop. If your personal or rented instrument needs professional repair please take it in ASAP. The turnaround time can be weeks.

Practice

Instruments should go home every day so students can practice. Students should make it a habit to practice every day.
There is no set amount of time that students are required to practice. However, the amount needed to understand and perform the music adequately will increase during the year.
- - - August/ September: 10-15 minutes
    - November/December: 20-25 minutes
    - January and beyond: 25+ plus minutes
Sometimes video and/or audio are provided to assist with practice. Practice might involve listening and watching before playing.

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