Band Info & Calendar
Be Part Of The Band.mp4Band is open to all 5th graders.
We welcome everyone to join and try it out!
Click on the links to learn more about the instrument choices:
FLUTE, CLARINET, ALTO SAXOPHONE, TRUMPET, TROMBONE, BARITONE, & PERCUSSION (bells/snare drum)
WHY SHOULD MY CHILD JOIN BAND?
As a band member, your child will have the opportunity to develop skills that will bring joy for a lifetime. Learning to play an instrument is a rewarding experience for anyone, but music is especially helpful to the development of child's self-discipline, social emotional well-being, and collaborative skills. Studies show that music instruction builds both hemispheres of the brain at the same time, and can lead to higher scores on school work and standardized tests.
At MLS, about 60% of fifth graders participate in band. There are 56 band members in the current MLS Band (62%)
MUSIC SCHEDULE / CALENDAR
All lessons take place from 2:35-3:15 (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)
Full Band takes place from 7:45-8:30 on Tuesday mornings.
Musicians should be dropped off at the main entrance between 7:30 and 7:45.
All students are eligible to take the early bus. Talk to your bus driver about the time the early bus goes by your home.
Full Band Schedule Notes:
Band rehearsals that land on a school vacation are cancelled.
If there is a snow day, full band is cancelled.
If there is a 1-hour delay, full band will start 8:45AM...make it if you can :)
If there is a 2-hour delay, full band will start at 9:45AM...make it if you can :)
Spring Concert - Thurs., May 2 @ 6-7:15pm, Freeport High School [30 Holbrook St, Freeport, ME]
Band members show up at 5:40PM and meet in the FHS band room.
Chorus members show up for the concert at 6PM and are invited up on stage following intermission.
Band and Chorus members wear their white RSU5 Music t-shirt
Memorial Day - Mon., May 27 @ 10:00AM, Freeport High School [30 Holbrook St, Freeport, ME]
Band and Chorus members show up at 9:30AM and meet in the parking lot.
Band and Chorus members wear their white RSU5 Music t-shirt
Band members leave cases in their car when being dropped off.
Parade begins at 10AM
Parade ends at Memorial Park (corner of Bow and Park Street). Musicians should be met at Memorial Park approximately 10:30.
Additional information about all of these performances will go home when we are closer to the date.
Memorial Day Parade
Starts at Freeport High School (30 Holbrook St, Freeport, ME 04032)
Ends at Memorial Park (Corner of Park and Bow)
REPAIRING YOUR INSTRUMENT
Just like the family car, instruments need regular care and maintenance to play their best. Sometimes larger repairs are required. We partner with David French Music Company as the preferred repair company for MLS musicians.
As soon as an instrument repair is needed, please reach out to Mr. Potvin who might be able to fix it for you at school. He will let you know if it needs to be repaired by David French.
Fill out the David French online repair request or give them a call: www.davidfrenchmusic.com 1-800-366-5993
Leave your instrument with Mr. Potvin with a note in the case that states the problem and a good name and phone contact.
A David French repair technician will call the contact and discuss the repair and give a quote before any work is done.
Fixed instrument is returned to the school!
BUYING AN INSTRUMENT
Congratulations...you are ready to make a musical purchase! Not all musical instruments are created equal. When in doubt, please contact Mr. Potvin before finalizing an instrument purchase.
First, please make sure that the instrument has a serial number.
If the price is too good to be true, beware! Instruments sold at "big box” stores should be avoided. These are generally not quality musical instruments. Should one of these instruments need repair, the local music stores will not be able to repair them for you.
Also, please be careful if you shop on the internet, discount warehouses, or discount stores - your child’s progress may be hindered by an instrument of poor quality.
REPUTABLE INSTRUMENT BRANDS (in no particular order):
Flute: Yamaha, Gemeinhardt, Jupiter
Clarinet: Yamaha, Vito, Buffet, Selmer, Jupiter
Alto Saxophone: Yamaha, Vito, Selmer, Jupiter
Trumpet/Trombone/Baritone: Yamaha, Bach, Conn, Jupiter, King
Percussion*: Yamaha, Ludwig, Vic Firth
*Percussionists need a bell kit that includes a tunable drum pad and bells.
MLS Band - Hard Rock Blues.mp4Hard Rock Blues - Winter Concert 2019
MLS Band - Good King Wenceslas.mp4Good King Wenceslas - Winter Concert 2019