Put concert dates on your calendar
Buy a band book
(Standard of Excellence Book 2 - for your specific instrument)
Put your name on instrument case & band book
Start bringing your instrument, book, & instrument supplies on Thursday 9/9/2026
This year we'll continue to develop musicianship by learning to perform music while building teamwork, responsibility, confidence, and collaboration. We will have the opportunity to travel to Stanwood Middle School to perform at our regional band festival where we will be evaluated by highly respected judges. 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
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
Solo & Ensemble Night - Jan 20, 6-8pm 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
Students are expected to practice at home a minimum of 25 minutes a week.
That’s only 5 minutes each school day!
In our agenda each Friday students will write how much they practiced that week and what to practice next.
The keys to good practicing are:
Chunk it
Slow it down
Repeat, repeat, repeat
Email Ms. Schumacher at: sasha_schumacher@msd25.org
In band, I expect us to RISE like phoenix: Respect Integrity Safety & Excellence. That means I'm looking for:
“Academic Dishonesty/plagiarism refers to behavioral violations involving knowingly submitting the work of others as one’s own or assisting another student in doing so or using unauthorized sources”
Phones are “Off and Away”
Wired headphones only (no bluetooth)
Water Only Classrooms (+no gum in band)
First 3-10 minutes of class
Monday Maintenance
Listening journal
Be ready for class - agenda, pencil, instrument & music
Last 8 minutes of class
Record what we learned that day
3 minutes to pack up, then wait by their dot for the bell
Exceeds standard 100%
Meets standard 95%
Approaching standard 80%
Below Standard 65%
Not enough work shown 50%
**Late work is accepted until end of each quarter
Student can...
interpret rhythms, notes, dynamics, articulations, and musical terms
Assignments include:
Fingering tests
Note/Rhythm reading tests
Playing tests
Labeled as “Skills/Content” in Skyward and is 30% of student’s overall grade
Student can...
interpret rhythms, notes, dynamics, articulations, and musical terms
Assignments include:
Fingering tests
Note/Rhythm reading tests
Playing tests
Labeled as “Skills/Content” in Skyward and is 30% of student’s overall grade
Student can...
demonstrate ensemble awareness and teamwork
Assignments include:
Concerts, assemblies & fieldtrips
Daily rehearsal
Playing tests
Labeled as “Performance Skills” in Skyward and is 20% of student’s overall grade
Student can...
develop self-reflection and interpret meaning in music
Assignments include:
Concert reflections
Self-reflections
Listening assignments
Playing test reflections
Program Notes
Labeled as “Reflection” in Skyward and is 20% of student’s overall grade
Please buy a blue “Standard of Excellence Book 2" 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.
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
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?
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.
Cleaning rod with cloth or swab (never use grease on your instrument)
Swab, bocal brush (bassoon), polishing cloth, at least 2 working reeds at all times
Swab, cork grease & at least 3 working reeds at all times
REED STRENGTHS
Clarinets should buy 2.5 to start, 3/3.5 after they’ve been playing for 6+ months
Saxes stay on a 3
REED BRANDS
Royal and Rico are the best quality cheaper brands (don’t go cheaper)
For plastic reeds, Légère is the only brand that should be considered
Cleaning snake, valve oil, tuning slide grease, valve & mouthpiece brushes
Baritones make sure to buy Baritone BC book (not TC)
Cleaning snake, trombone slide cream (Yamaha), tuning slide grease, mouthpiece brush
Percussionists should have a stick bag in class each day with the following:
Snare sticks (Vic Firth SD 1 or wood tip 7A)
Hard plastic bells/xylophone mallets
Medium yarn mallets (Vic Firth M182 or M183)
**It’s recommended to keep a drum practice pad and a bell set at home to practice
Make sure you buy the drums/mallets band book (not Timpani/Auxilary)