Welcome to the Band and Orchestra
program in the Columbine Area! Your
student has the opportunity to begin one of the most exciting and memorable
experiences of their education so far – learning how to play a musical
instrument!
The Columbine Area instrumental music
program includes the five elementary schools that feed into Columbine High
School: Governor’s Ranch, Leawood, Normandy, Dutch Creek, and Columbine Hills. The classes are taught during the school day
by Mr. Gates. Both Band and Orchestra
meet twice a week for half an hour.
These are a “Go-To Resource Class,” which means students will leave
their regular classroom for instruction on their instruments. This different type of instruction enhances
music students’ abilities to connect different skills and subjects together,
and ultimately become better students. Additionally,
students who participate in music often score higher than non-music classmates
in reading, writing, and math standardized tests!
Participating in band and orchestra
requires very few out-of-school commitments. We have three concerts a year.
Other than that, your student just needs to practice! You can see these dates here on this website (I'll have them up by August 29th) and they will be made available
at the instrument rental night in our Band and Orchestra Handbook.
We are very fortunate in the Columbine
Area to have incredible support at our elementary schools for the music
program. It is not uncommon for there to
be 40-60% of a class involved in band and orchestra. We would love to have an entire class playing
instruments! Every destination starts with a decision
to embark on a journey, and now is the time to start your child in music and
the Columbine Area Music Program is the place to do it! We can’t promise that
every child will be a musical prodigy, but we can promise they will learn,
laugh, and grow along the way.
Getting an Instrument:
Students will need to provide their own
instruments and method books to participate in band and orchestra. We highly suggest rent-to-own programs from
local music stores above purchasing an instrument. It is especially helpful in
orchestra where instrument sizes vary and your student could need a new one
after only a year of playing as they grow. Cost of instruments generally range
from $18/mo for small instruments (flutes, clarinets, trumpets, trombones,
percussion, violins and violas) to $38/mo (cellos, saxophones) to $54/mo for
large instruments (horns, tubas, bass clarinets, tenor saxophones). Some of
these larger band instruments can be rented from the school, and are only
available to students as they gain playing experience on other instruments in
band. More information here.
Please
do not let cost keep your student from participating!
Contact Mr. Gates if you are in need of
some assistance with procuring an instrument, as there are a limited number of
instruments that the school can rent for families who qualify. It is our goal
that every student is able to participate in band and orchestra – music isn’t
about money, it’s about music!
Instrument Rental Night:
We
have scheduled a rental night on Wednesday
August 31st from 6:00 – 8:00pm at Ken Caryl Middle School. This evening you be able to talk with several
music stores to discuss instrument rental options, meet Mr. Gates, and ask any questions
you may have. The music stores will be available with instruments, books, and
the other supplies that you will need to get started. Please plan on attending and meeting with Mr.
Gates! We are excited to get started!
Instrument
Rental Night – Wednesday August 30th
Ken Caryl
Middle School – 6509 W Ken Caryl Ave
Time: 6:00 – 8:00
PM – This is open door: come when you can
Location: Start
in the cafeteria
Please
make sure you return the permission slip for the Instrument Demo Day to your
classroom teacher by Friday August 26th! This is a great opportunity
that you won’t want to miss – even if you’re on the fence about joining band or
orchestra now, it’s better to try it than to pass on the chance to find out
it’s something you LOVE!
Sincerely
and Musically Yours,
Gregory Gates
