Instrument Selection

Students will try all instruments and a final selection will be made with the assistance of an instructor.

Our goal for the individual student~

Match each student with an instrument on which they will be successful!

Our goal for the entire group~

Develop a balanced instrumentation so that students have a good “band” experience.

How is an instrument selected?

Every student has an individual appointment!

Every student has strengths which match an instrument.

Factors that help determine instrument selection~

Elementary School Music Teacher Recommendations, Standardized Test Results and Assessments.

Student’s level of interest and commitment to improve.

Student’s quality of school work.

Student’s personal habits-organization, neatness, patience, etc.

Physical characteristics.

Ability to produce a quality sound on the instrument.

Interest in taking private lessons.

Goals of the Band Department

Enrich student’s lives through the understanding and study of music

Help students realize a sense of pride in the work he or she produces through complete preparation and attention to directions

Help students to develop self-control, discipline, and independence

Develop a characteristic tone

Learn and demonstrate all of the fingerings within a basic range

Read musical notation

Recognize and produce basic rhythmic values

Develop good technical habits

Beginning Band Curriculum Overview

Tone Production

Scales

Technique

Intonation

Musicality

Performance

Constructive

Listening

Band During the School Year

Students are scheduled into band as part of their daily schedule.

Band meets for 41 minutes every day.

Students receive a grade for band and it is part of their grade point average.

Beginning Band will perform four concerts during the year and participate at the Oswego Band Festival and Solo Recital.

Getting an Instrument

DON’T GET STUCK WITH JUNK!

Wait to get an instrument until AFTER your registration appointment!

Avoid “off brand” instruments-they may not play well for more than a couple of months.

Just because an item is shaped like an instrument does not mean it IS an instrument!

Many foreign made instruments are very inexpensive because they are made with:

Poor materials and soft metals

Inferior craftsmanship

Non-standard parts

They may also have problems

with tuning and tone quality.

Beginners will struggle with a poor quality instrument.  Local music stores cannot do repairs because parts are not

readily available.

Excellent Instrument Brands 

(These are worth your investment)

Flute: Jupiter, Yamaha

Oboe: Selmer

Clarinet: Buffet, Yamaha

Saxophone: Yamaha, Selmer

Cornet: Jupiter, Bach

Horn: Holton Regency, Conn 8D

Trombone: Jupiter, Bach, Yamaha

Baritone: Jupiter, Yamaha

Tuba: Carnegie XL, Yamaha, Bach

Percussion Equipment: Student

Xylophone, Practice Drum Pad, Required Sticks and Mallets

Supplies Students Will Need

*High quality beginner-level instrument 

*Folding music stand to use at home 

*Required text: Tradition of Excellence Book I, Smartmusic subscription 

*A pencil at EVERY band lesson and class

Frequently Asked Questions

What About Extra Help?

*Students may be paired with a older student coach for the month of August 

*Coaches will reinforce the work done in the band classes

* Students are encouraged to consider private lessons in addition to band class after summer band has started! *Contact your band director for a list of private lesson teachers!

Why Band?

*Music power is brain power *Music develops: problem solving skills, teamwork, goal-setting, self-expression, kinesthetic development, memory skills, self-confidence, concentration, and most of all…

*Music is a form of intelligence that all children should have access to!

Will band interfere with student’s grades in other classes?

*No! 

*It has been found that students participating in school instrumental music programs generally average higher grades in other subjects.

Do students have to take private lessons?

*Students are not required to take private lessons, however, your child will experience much greater success and enjoyment with private study. 

*It is the policy of the Junior High School Band programs that all students are strongly encouraged to take lessons. 

*We offer a list of suitable teachers that work well with young students.

Can a student be in band and other activities?

*Yes!  

*We work very hard to allow our students to be involved in as much as possible. 

*Flexibility and compromise are key to success. 

*Nearly all of our band students are involved in sports, drama or art, in addition to band.

What if we already have an instrument?

*Please bring your instrument to your child’s appointment. 

*We will inspect the instrument to make sure that it works correctly.

*Keep an open mind-your child may not be a match with the instrument that you already own.