Frequently Asked Questions

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I don't know how music works, does that mean I can't be in band? 

No! You do not have to have any music experience in order to join the program. If you have already started learning about music or an instrument that is great! If not, you will learn everything you need to know from our band directors, lesson teachers, and visiting mentors. 

What kinds of instruments can I play in band? 

We have 11 instruments for you to choose from and the directors will help you find what is the best fit for you. The instruments you can choose from are: flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, and percussion. If you are interested in learning more about each instrument please click here.

Currently we do not have classes for piano, guitar, or violin. Bammel does not have the equipment to hold these classes.

I don't know what instrument I should play. Will someone help me? 

The directors will meet with you and your parents during an instrument selection night, or will pass by your school in order to talk about which instrument you should learn. This is an opportunity to get to know you a little bit and help you select the instrument that is the best fit for you by having you make sounds on the instruments. Depending on your physical characteristics, some instruments may work better than others and will allow you to learn faster and have a better experience in band. 

I want to join band! How do I get an instrument? 

Quality new and used instruments are available through music stores such as Music & Arts and H&H. Most students rent an instrument on a monthly basis with a rental/purchase plan. The directors will give you and your parents a list of instrument brands and models we recommend. The list is also available at the music stores for your convenience, just let them know you are with the School for International Studes at Bammel when you arrive. Representatives from the music stores will be at the instrument selection night as well. Spring ISD provides the more expensive instruments to students for a yearly maintenance fee such as: oboe, bassoon, french horn, euphonium, tuba, and percussion.  Please wait to meet with a band director before getting an instrument.

How much money will this cost? 

Fortunately, not much. The main cost is the official Band Polo. Please visit our Supplies & Fees page for more information. 

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Who is in the band at Bammel? 

Some of the best and brightest students call the Bammel Band home. Out of our 250 students in the band program, you will find the highest academic achievers in the school. Students that participate in the band are also a part of other organizations throughout the school from athletics to theatre to choir to science olympiad. The most important thing to know is that the Bammel Band has a place for YOU!!!​

Can I be in the band at the same time as athletics, theatre, or choir?

Absolutely! We want everybody to participate in the groups that interested them most! We work very closely with the coaches, theatre director, choir directors, and other sponsors to make sure everybody can participate in different organizations with the fewest amount of conflicts. Students in the BMS Band participate in nearly every extracurricular activity offered at Bammel! The important thing is to communicate with the directors WITH TIME that you have a conflict so that they can work with you.

What fun things will I do in band? 

The most rewarding thing we do in band is learning how to plan an instrument! 

We also enjoy rewarding our students for all their hard work and dedication by throwing parties and organizing exclusive trips. Here are some of the fun things we have done in the past: 

• Hurricane Harbor

• Band Lock-In, 

• High School Bowling Nights

• Skating Night

What kind of performances does the band participate in? 

First year beginner students will perform at the Spring Concert and at the Spring ISD Beginner Band Festival. You will also have the opportunity to earn awards by performing at the Solo and Ensemble Festivals. 

Our 7th and 8th grade bands (Non-Varsity & Varsity Bands) will compete at the UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contest, Solo and Chamber Music Festival, and All-Region Competitions in addition to the Winter Concert & Spring Concert. 

The band is also a big source of school spirit at all the pep rallies and some of the football games.

Does band take up a lot of time? 

During your first year in band, we will only meet as outside of class to practice as a full group before a concert or contest. This usually only happens 3-6 times throughout the whole year. Learning to play an instrument is just like learning any new skill, you must practice it regularly to see yourself getting better at it. 

Just like in any other class, band has homework. Your assignment is to practice at home for 30 minutes a day. However, remember that practicing 30 minutes a day is better than practicing two hours a day; twice a week.

​How can I get more information about the Bammel Band? 

If you still have questions, we would love to hear from you! The easiest way to get in touch with the band directors is through email. Please do not try to call the band hall during the school day, as the band directors will be inv class teaching their lessons and will be unable to answer the phone. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT FEES

Many of the questions you may have regarding fees are answered below. Please contact us if you still have questions regarding fees.

Q: Do I need to buy the a new polo every year?

A: Once your child buys a Band Polo, they may use it for their entire time they are a part of the Bammel Band program. We have created a new design to reflect the changes made to The School for International Studies at Bammel, however we will allow students that have our former design to continue using their shirts. The only reason a student will need to buy a new polo is if their shirt becomes too small or damaged. 

If you would like to purchase a blue band polo with our new design you are more then welcome to. 

Q: I already bought my older child a Band Polo when they were at Bammel. Can my younger child use the same shirt?

A: Possibly! The band polo was redesigned for this school year to reflect changes made to the campus. New polos will be made from a different material and have the updated design. For informal performances, students are welcome to use either the new or old polo. However if we have a formal performance students will need the new polo. We can allow students to borrow a polo for our extra inventory if they are available, however shirts need to be returned or students will be asked to buy the polo. If there are multiple children from a family in the program at the same time, each child active in our program will need their own shirt.

Q: My child already has a blue collared shirt. Why do I need to pay $25 for your shirt? That seems steep.

A: Our polos are made from a high quality performance material that will last for the entire time your child is in our program. It is custom embroidered with our logo (shown above) and cannot be purchased anywhere else. This shirt is used for public performances and on field trips as well. This shirt is our informal uniform and failing to have this shirt means that your student isn't in uniform. We sell our shirts at cost meaning we do not make any profits off them. We buy them for $25 each from the manufacturer and that is what we charge you. At this time it is not possible to order shirts directly from the manufacturer, however this is an option we will explore in the future if it becomes available. 

Q: What do I do if my student runs out reeds or other supplies?

A: If a student is a single reed player (ex. Clarinet and Saxophone) they will have two options to get new reeds. They may either go to Music and Arts/H&H on their own and purchase a new box of reeds, or they may bring money to the band hall and purchase individual reeds for $3 each from the directors. Double reed players will primarily talk to the band directors to purchase reeds. The reason for this is our private lessons staff have the ability to make Oboe and Bassoon reeds by hand that are not only better in quality, but in some cases better in price as well. Also due to the cost of these reeds the band directors help sponsor a portion of the cost to assist families. 

Q: I have multiple children in band at the same time. Do I really need to pay a fee for each child?

A: Yes, however the band directors are more than willing to work with families that are in need of financial assistance with these matters. Arrangements will be made on a case by case basis. If you are in need of financial aid with fees please contact the band directors to discuss the situation as soon as possible.

Q: What if I can’t pay? What are the consequences for not paying?

A: If your family is experiencing hardships, please communicate that to the directors as soon as possible. We have worked with families in the past to create payment plans, waive partial fees, or waive total fees as situations dictate. 

Students that fail to pay their balances without communicating hardship are in jeopardy of being ineligible to attend extracurricular trips. We do not want to keep students from attending trips with us, but their education comes first and the payment of fees goes toward their band education. A student will never be forbidden from participating in academic actives, including concerts, contests, and competitions for failing to pay their fees.

Q: If we have to pay band fees, why does my child have to fundraise?

A: Only a portion of our program is funded by the Supply Fee. The remaining funding comes from fundraising. Students are encouraged to fundraise, however no student is required to fundraise. Fundraising is not a replacement for paying the $45 fee. Both are critical towards ensuring our program has the necessary funds to give our students the best possible experience at the lowest cost for parents. When a student fails to turn in fundraising money, it is the equivalent of stealing from the band program. We have to pay for every box of chocolate we order whether we sell it or not. Students that fail to turn in their fundraising money will not be allowed to fundraise in the future, or attend extracurricular trips until their balance is paid off.

Q: What happens if every student paid their fees and outstanding balances?

A: We realistically understand that 100% of students will not pay their fees. Our program goal is 80%. As previously mentioned, we have to pay for the items we provide, or sell to students whether students turn their money in or not. Often times the “profit” from fundraising is necessary just to break even from uncollected fees. 

However, when all, or even just most of the outstanding fees are collected, we can turn around and use any "profit" from fundraising to provide additional opportunities to students such as lowering the cost of extracurricular field trips that are not covered in the Supply Fee cost. 

Bammel MS Band is a non-profit organization and will always use funds that would otherwise be referred to as "profit" from fundraisers to improve student experience in and outside of our classroom. Our goal is to reduce costs where we can. We cannot do it when our students have unpaid balances. We will never use supply fees to pay for extracurricular activities, only "profits" from fundraising as long as enough fees have been paid to allow the extra funds to be applied towards extracurricular activities.