Schedule: Band class meets Monday - Friday through the school year at the Junior High School from 7:15 - 8:00am. Students may be dropped off at the junior high or they may take a junior high bus rout. After class is done at 8am then the students get on a bus that will take them to their elementary school.

Cost: Students need to provide their own instrument. Rental and purchase information are below. The district provides the method books and folders.

Communication: As the director I communicate through email and the remind 101 app. If you wish to be on the email list please contact me at jlong@franklincityschools.com with your name, email, and child's name.

Rental Information

Q: Where can I rent an instrument?

A: Moeller Music https://rentals.willismusic.com

A: That Music Place http://www.thatmusicplace.net/

A: Hauer Music http://www.hauermusic.com

Purchase Information

Q: Where can I purchase an instrument?

Either rental store

Pawn Shop, Amazon

Q: how do I know what to buy

You can always ask the band director.

If purchasing an instrument please do some research on the brand. If it is real cheap odds are that it is a poorly made instrument that will not hold up.

If it was made in China or India, please refrain from purchasing. These instrument usually have poor tone and constant problems

Common Questions Most Asked About Being in Band...

1. Does my child need any prior experience? No, not any! We will teach them all from scratch. All note reading, counting rhythms, and playing of all instruments will be taught in detail from the opening of the case to playing a concert.

2. We bought a piano and they quit taking lessons, will they quit band? Probably not! We have found that most students this age prefer a group experience and are not comfortable with one-on-one teaching from an adult. Group beginner band is fun and our dropout rate is nearly zero.

3. How will I know which instrument my child will play? You don’t. We will take the first two weeks of school and let your child try each instrument. This will allow them to find the one that fits them most naturally, which allows a more normal rate of progress. Often students want to play an instrument that they have seen on TV or that a relative has played and it does not fit their teeth structure, lip size, etc. Too many students decide on the drums and think that they will be easy to play, when it requires more self-discipline and excellent reading skills. Students and parent should come to band next year with an open mind on what they are going to play and make a decision after all the instruments have been tried.

4. Are there any afternoon rehearsals? No. The 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grade bands do not meet after school. There will be two required night concerts, one in February and one at the end of the year.

5. When do we get an instrument? After the two weeks at the beginning of the school year. We will have a parents’ night to discuss this with you. At this time, we will have a music dealer there that offers the lease purchase plan. This plan is like renting the instrument, if you rent it long enough, you own it. You may get an instrument from this source or shop around. At any rate, we will supply you with a list of recommended brands and would be happy to offer our professional advice of any instrument.

6. Can my child be in band and in other activities or sports? Yes. They may have two electives. We work well with the counselors and can work out most situations.

7. How do we sign up for band? You will need to sign up on my website or sign up on one of the February meetings. Please mark it on your schedule for next year. If you want further information, you can contact the band staff or junior high counselor.

8. None of my child’s friends want to be in band. We find this to be true more and more each year. Almost all students have a certain group that they hang out with and are influenced by. It only takes one strong-willed person=s comments to influence the other few. We hope that the students can see that a year or two of these people will probably be with another group or in different activities. Each student should make their own decision individually with their parents.