Welcome to Band and Orchestra at Sarah Noble!
The instrumental music program (band/orchestra) is an elective that all 4th and 5th graders may join; no previous experience is necessary.
All students are encouraged to sign up!
Click Here for 2025 Sign-Up Materials
Click Here for Information about Getting an Instrument/Supplies
Students can choose to study one of these instruments:
Flute
Clarinet
Alto Saxophone
Trumpet
French Horn
Trombone
Baritone Horn
Percussion (Drums)
Bells (Xylophone)
Violin
Viola
Cello
Bass
The Instrumental Music Program has three components:
1)Weekly Lessons 2)Home Practice 3)Performing Groups
1. In-School Lesson
Instrument students receive a 30-minute lesson once per week during the school day.
Students will have their instrument lesson on the same day each week (Monday, Tuesday, etc.) Students should bring their instrument to school on their assigned day.
Lesson times rotate throughout the day. The lesson schedule will be posted in your child’s classroom, and will be available online in their GoogleClassroom and on snismusic.com.
Students are responsible for looking at the lesson schedule each week and remembering to come to lessons at their assigned time.
Students need to come to lessons prepared with their:
Instrument (with the student’s name on the case)
Music Folder
Practice Log and homework assignments (when assigned)
2. Home Practice
Students are expected to practice their instrument at home for at least 15 minutes, four times per week to review the skills learned in class.
Practice logs will be used to keep track of student practice and should be signed by the parent each week.
3. Performing Ensembles
Once students achieve a certain skill level on their instruments, they have the option to audition for our performing groups. Performing ensembles rehearse before school (7:45 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.) These rehearsals will prepare students to play in our evening concerts and performances.
Please see our attendance policy here.
New ensemble groups will be created during September (for the winter concert) and during January (for the spring concert). Students may audition during or before these months.
Click here for audition requirements and descriptions of our ensembles.
The anticipated rehearsal schedule for our performing groups is:
Concert Band (formerly Beginner Band) - Tuesdays at 7:45 a.m.
Concert Orchestra (formerly Beginner Orchestra) - Fridays at 7:45 a.m.
Intermediate Band - Wednesdays at 7:45 a.m.
Intermediate Orchestra - Mondays at 7:45 a.m.
Jazz Ensemble - will begin in January for intermediate-level students, rehearsal day to be announced
Students who are not participating in other instrumental ensembles will rehearse a few times a year during the school day with the beginning band/orchestra. (This group will have limited performance time during school hours in the spring.)
Performances
Our ensembles will perform in the Winter Concert, String Fest (orchestra), Jazz Fest (jazz ensemble), Spring Concert, Memorial Day Parade, and the Big Band Bash (band).
Different ensembles will perform on different days. Updated performance dates for each ensemble will be announced soon.
Click here for our updated performance dates.
Concert Uniform
For evening concerts, students will wear a white top with black pants/skirt.
For daytime performances, students will wear a blue band/orchestra t-shirt (or a blue t-shirt).
For the Memorial Day parade, students will wear a blue band/orchestra t-shirt with black or dark shorts/skirt/pants.
Band/Orchestra T-Shirts
Blue SNIS Band/Orchestra t-shirts will be sold during early October. Students have the option to purchase a shirt to wear for our daytime performances and parade.
Instrument Care
Students should establish a safe place to keep their instrument at home. Instruments should be taken home at the end of the day after all lessons and rehearsals unless another plan has been made with Miss White.
Instruments are very delicate and sometimes repairs/adjustments are necessary even if they are cared for correctly. If you suspect that a repair may be necessary, please have your child see me.
Please do not try to fix the instruments at home. Thank you!
Make-Up Work
Students may miss classwork while they are at their lesson so they are responsible for completing any make-up work. Classroom teachers will inform students of their individual policies regarding classwork.
Behavior
Students are expected to use expected behavior in the music room and in the hallways. In addition to following all school rules, students are expected to:
Follow directions given by the teacher
Use appropriate language and be respectful of others
Walk from their classroom to the music room (and back) safely, quietly, and without disturbing other classes.
Use music stands, instruments, and other equipment properly and play instruments only when instructed to do so
Listen attentively during class without distracting others
Let’s Go Band! Let’s Go Orchestra!
Choose an instrument!
Watch the videos below presented by New Milford High School students from 2023.
Or click here to see Mr. Fitz's instrument demonstration videos!