Hello Band Families! 

Mr. Weems here to offer you a big “welcome” to the Oak Grove Band! We hope you had a wonderful summer! Mr Weems here to help outline some expectations for you ahead of what is gearing up to be a FANTASTIC year for the Oak Grove Band Program. I hope to answer many of your questions here, but I am always available via email for any questions you may have. sweems@ogusd.org

Who Can Join? 

First, Band is open to all 4th and 5th graders. Band rehearsals happen after school and run for the whole school year. The Band Program is slightly different from the other after school programs and I will do my best to communicate those differences as they happen. We have our own schedule and performances. The Band is divided into Beginning Band—students who have never played a band instrument before—and Advanced Band–students who have played in band for at least a school year. Please fill out the appropriate form for your student. See the registration forms for which instruments are available to your grade.

Beginning Band Registration Form  |  Advanced Band Registration Form

A Changing Schedule

The Beginning Band schedule starts in sections by instrument and that format continues for 8 weeks. Each instrument group will meet once a week for the first 8 lessons. These groups are Flute Group, Clarinet Group, Trumpet Group, Trombone Group, & Percussion Group. After this 8 week introductory period, the Beginning Band schedule will change. 

Trumpets and Trombones are combined as the “Brass Group” and they will meet twice a week. The Flutes and Clarinets combine as the “Woodwind Group” and they meet twice a week. Percussionists are in the “Percussion Group” and they continue meeting once per week. So this schedule will commence around Halloween. After this schedule change, it will remain the same for the remainder of the school year.

So please sign up at the link above, that form will track your availability which will help me build a schedule. I try my best to match everyone’s availability first and foremost so your student gets their first choice instrument. But this isn’t always possible, so please remain flexible and let your student know that we might have to move them to a 2nd or 3rd choice if the schedule does not permit their 1st choice.

How to Get an Instrument

Selecting an instrument can be tricky. We understand that initial impressions of instruments can be misleading and after spending a few weeks on an instrument, one might change their mind. Some things to keep in mind: I like to give students the ability to change their minds, but only once, and only within the first 3 weeks of classes. Also, you might have signed a contract with an instrument rental store and their policies about kids changing their minds might be different. Also remember, if your student is going to Willowside in the future, students have a lot more instruments available to them in middle school.

As I mentioned before, the district does not have many instruments, and those that we do have are not in the best shape. Also, we tend to reserve the district instruments for those who are in the most financial need. There is also a charity called “Music for Schools” funded by the Luther Burbank Center for the Performing Arts. They have a limited number of instruments, but if you are unable to rent for whatever reason, and they still have instruments left, it’s possible they can provide you one for free. See the LBC Instrument application here: English - Espanol 

If these previous methods don’t work out, you may end up needing to rent an instrument. Here is a link to the best rentals in the area: Instrument Rentals

Not All Instruments Are Created Equal

It is very important to obtain a quality instrument from a trusted vendor. You may be tempted by inexpensive instruments on discount retailers like Amazon or Walmart, DO NOT PURCHASE INSTRUMENTS FROM AMAZON OR WALMART! I have a large pile of these at school, another pile at home, none of them work. Most fail before 1 year and no repair shops will work on them. I can help you find something much better. In fact, for the amount you might spend on a new instrument from Amazon, I can help you find a used instrument that is 1000% better. It’s just not as immediately gratifying or as quickly shipped as an Amazon order, but your student will not have to cobble it back together with tape and craft supplies to keep it playing all the time. 

If you see a good deal on an instrument, please let me know, I’m happy to help you shop. I used to work in Music Retail with a huge repair shop. I was a buyer for school programs, I worked closely with our repair technicians to recommend the right equipment for schools. So I know the instruments out there and how long they last and if they play well or not, and I am well aware of all of the trustworthy vs untrustworthy brands. So please keep me posted. Otherwise, your student might come home one day with the news that their instrument isn’t playing and is not repairable. 

Performances

We have 2 main performances throughout the year, one in December and the other is usually in May. Also, this year we will be participating in the Apple Blossom Parade in Sebastopol. The parade performance opportunity is open to Advanced band students by default, but also some exceptional Beginning Band students will be invited to perform. These beginning students will have exemplary behavior, demonstrate a high degree of musicality, and will be able to show that they have memorized their parade music.

As always, I’m sure I missed some details that you might want to know, so please don’t hesitate to contact me for any questions. I’m looking forward to meeting all of you and your students. So please fill out the Registration form so I can send you the actual schedule. 

Can’t wait to see you all!

Sincerely,

Steve Weems

Welcome all to the Oak Grove Band. We are so happy you are here and excited to embark on an incredible musical journey together. As a member of the Oak Grove Band, you are an ambassador for the entire school. You represent our school pride, our discipline through hard work, and artistic expression through musical exploration. You are an elite member of a musical task force that reaches out to the community through the love of music. Given this amazing opportunity, it also comes with some great responsibilities. Please read and understand these guidelines with your parents so we can set sail with the right attitudes, launch with the same mind-set, and blast off with a crew that is prepared to represent Oak Grove Elementary Band with Pride, Discipline, and Artistry.

BE PREPARED FOR REHEARSAL

Things to Bring to Every Rehearsal

• Positive Attitude

• Instrument

• Sheet Music Take Home Folder (loose leaf)

• Book: Essential Elements Book 1 (for your instrument) Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone, & Percussion

• Pencil

Things to Have at Home For Practice

• Music Stand (I have some to lend out or CLICK HERE)

• Metronome (Free one here)

• Tuner (Free one here)

Be Ready When Class Starts

• Mr Weems gives you a countdown until”downbeat”

• Be in your seat ready for “downbeat” 

• Downbeat is when the music (rehearsal) starts

• Instrument ready, cases under benches

• Music / Book / Pencil on your music stand ready to rock!

REHEARSAL EXPECTATIONS

1.  Take care of yourself first: use the restroom, get a drink of water, shake off the day, coz it's time for BAND!

2.  Mr. W will always give students ample time to set up their instruments, stands and music.

3.  Mr. W will always give a 5, 3, and 1 minute warning when “downbeat” will occur.

4.  Downbeat means you are in your seat with your instrument assembled, music on stand with pencil, ready to play.

5.  Downbeat is the time when the Music Starts, not when you race to your seat to sit down, breathing heavily from all that goofing around.

HOW DO I FOLLOW THE CONDUCTOR?

1.  When the conductor is on the podium: Instrument on Knee

2.  When the conductor's hands are up: Instrument on Face

3.  When the conductor’s hands come down: Instrument on Knee

4.  When the conductor is speaking, or when a person who has been given the floor to speak: Instrument on Lap, listening to the speaker, not speaking or playing your instrument.

CAN I MAKE MISTAKES IN REHEARSAL?

1.  YES! Mistake lots of mistakes in rehearsal, in fact mistake all of them so we can fix them before the concert!

2.  Make it a safe place in the rehearsal space to make mistakes. Please, no judgments, criticisms, or ridicule of others, only encouragement!  

PRACTICE A LITTLE EVERY OTHER DAY

Students are expected to practice their instrument 15 minutes, 3 times a week. This is in addition to the time we spend at rehearsals. This is the minimum to keep current in the class. Many students will be practicing much more than 45 minutes a week. Fill out your practice journal and keep track of your minutes, you will be surprised how fast you can get the base requirement done. It’s WAY BETTER to practice a little every other day, than a bunch on one day, like the day before rehearsal. Practice a little bit on the days you don’t have band and you will get better REALLY FAST!

OAK GROVE BAND RULES

1.  Band will remain fun at all times!

2.  Band members will treat each other with kindness and respect at all times

3.  No food or drink (other than water) before or during rehearsals

4.  Instruments are not weapons and will not be used to make obnoxious sounds or harass other students or teachers

5.  Students will listen when the director, or whoever has the floor, is talking.

6.  Students will play their instruments only when directed to do so

7.  Students will practice their instrument at home a minimum of 15 minutes, 3 times a week. Students who want to get ahead should practice their instrument 15-20 minutes each day, 5 days a week.

8.  Students will fill out their Practice Journal each week and have it signed by a parent or guardian. The Practice Journal is worth half of your grade

9.  Students will bring their instrument and music to each rehearsal unless directed otherwise by the director.

10.  Students will be prepared for Downbeat at every rehearsal. arrive to class, have their chair and stand set up, and have their instrument assembled (including reeds & ligatures, valves oiled, slides prepared) by the time of “downbeat.” Downbeat is when the first notes of rehearsal happen.

11.  Members will make the band rehearsal area a “safe place” to make mistakes and not criticize others for their mistakes, rather, encourage them to keep trying. Practice taking pride in yourselves without tearing anyone else down.

First Offenses: Students who violate these rules will first be given a reminder of the rules. 

Second Offenses: MrW will send a reminder home to parents/guardians about the rules and which ones are being broken. 

Third Offenses: Student is excused from rehearsal and writes a letter to family about why they were removed from rehearsal. 

Fourth Offenses: Result in dismissal from rehearsal, a consultation with family about the student's commitment to the group. 

Fifth Offenses will result in dismissal from the group. 

*Mr.W reserves the right to dismiss chronic offenders without giving 5 chances*

DESIRABLE VS UNDESIRABLE BEHAVIORS

1.  Desirable Behaviors in the MPR and On Stage

• Assembling my instrument

• Storing my case under the benches

• Organizing all my music

• Finding my pencil

• Warming up with mellow long tones, not BLASTING 

• Helping set up chairs and stands

• Helping someone else who may be behind if they ask 

• Once I’m set up and ready, running a couple safety laps around the gym to get my wiggles out is ok as long as I am safe and aware of my surroundings, respectful of my peers and their cases, instruments, and belongings, responsible with my time so that I am ready and in my seat by downbeat, and kind to those people who are still in their setup process.

2.  Undesirable Behaviors in the MPR and On Stage

• No Jumping

• No Running

• No Throwing

• No Yelling

• No PE Equipment 

• No BLASTING

• No Phones or Distracting Objects

• No Homework During Rehearsal

• No Violating Other People’s Bubble Space

• No Violating the Four Pillars of Success

WHEN IN DOUBT, OBSERVE THE FOUR PILLARS OF SUCCESS

1.  SAFE: I am safe with my body, my words, and my actions

2.  RESPECTFUL: I am respectful to my peers, my teachers and myself.

3.  RESPONSIBLE: I am responsible with my instrument, materials, and time. 

4.  KIND: I am kind to my peers, my teachers, and myself.

HOW DOES GRADING WORK?

1.  Band is Pass Fail: If you try every day, are trying to be a good citizen and band member following the rules, are filling out your practice journal, and attending all the concerts, you Pass! A+ 100%

2.  If we fail to prepare, we prepare to fail. We work on the honor system in band, so the grade you earn in this class does not reflect on your report card or affect your GPA (and no one ever fails band).

3.  It is not required for you to be a great musician, it is only required that you try your best. You don’t have to be great,  you just have to try. Greatness will find you as a reward for all that effort.