Beginning Band

About The Class

This year we'll develop musicianship by learning to read and perform music while building teamwork, responsibility, confidence, and collaboration. Because band is a performance-based class, concerts are an essential part of the course and are a required, graded component. Please mark the dates below in your calendar. I look forward to making music with you this year! -Ms. Schumacher

Concert Calendar

Students should arrive 30 minutes early in nice performance clothing (such as what you'd wear to a wedding or a funeral.) Concerts are free and open to the public. Please put these dates in your calendar today.

Fall Band Concert - Nov 18, 7pm TMS

Winter Band Concert - Feb 24, 7pm TMS

6-12 MSD Band Concert - Apr 20 6:30pm MPHS Gym

Spring Band Concert - May 26, 7pm TMS

Additional 6th Grade Band Information

• Starts mid September after the Fall informational meeting (info meeting date is to be anounced still)

• The 1st day of band will be anounced by your school and the district

• Class begins at 8:15am Monday-Friday

• Please look on eLink using your home address and a middle school grade (from Transportation website, put in your address and enter grades 7 or 8) 

• Parents can drop off their student before school at 8:10am instead of riding the middle school bus (the band room is on the 7th street side near the gym entrance)

• After band, students will be bussed to their elementary school

• Ms. Schumacher will send a parent square notification if band is ever cancelled

Classroom Expectations

In band, I expect us to RISE like phoenix: Respect Integrity Safety & Excellence.  That means I'm looking for:

Respect

Honesty

Safety

Preparation

Best effort

Teamwork

Band Book & Instruments

Band Book

Please buy a red “Standard of Excellence Book 1" online or at a local music store like Bigfoot Music

 (Arlington) or Kennelly Keys (Lynnwood/Everett) because we have a limited number of school copies.

Instrument Choices

There are 4 choices of instruments in beginning band:

Flute

Clarinet

Trumpet

Trombone

At the beginning of the 2nd semester, clarinet & flute players who at "meets standard" will have the opportunity to try the saxophone and trumpet & trombone players who are at "meets standard" will have the opportunity to try tuba and baritone.

We have a limited number of school instruments that are reserved for students with financial needs - guardians need to let Ms. Schumacher know if you can’t afford to rent/buy your own instrument 

Important: Each student needs a name tag on their instrument and all band music and papers should be stored in a provided band folder

Renting an Instrument

WHERE?

• Bigfoot Music (Arlington)

• Kennelly Keys (Everett/Lynnwood)

• Ted Brown Music (Online)

THINGS TO ASK:

• Do they have a “rent to own” program? 

• What services are offered? (Loaners during repair, discount on accessories, etc.) 

• Is insurance included in the rental price to cover loss, damage, and theft?

Buying an Instrument

QUALITY BRANDS

Bach, Besson, Blessing, Bundy, Cannonball, Conn, Evette, Gemeinhardt, Getzen, Holton, Jupiter, King, Reynolds, Selmer, Vito and Yamaha 

(Percussion: CB700, Ludwig, Pearl, and Vic Firth.)

BUY FROM MUSIC STORES (NOT ONLINE)

A new, good quality band instrument will typically cost over $500. Used instruments will often need repairs to be in good playing condition. They should be taken to a local repair shop for appraisal before you buy.

DON’T BUY COLORFUL INSTUMENTS & BE CAREFUL ON AMAZON

They’re made to entice students but are poorly built, producing bad tone quality, inaccurate pitch and will need frequent repairs $$. They will cause your child unnecessary difficulty and stress.