Beginner Band is made up of first-year players, including students who may want to switch instruments. These students have not played a band instrument before or have little experience. They spend the first couple classes of Beginner Band learning the fundamentals of music (reading notes, counting, and vocabulary) and after they have a firm foundation, they will begin playing their instruments, but only one piece at a time! By the end of their first year, all beginning band students are able to perform appropriate level music and have a solid foundation of musical knowledge that will allow them to continue to the next level of band. They move on to Middle Band in 5th grade, and Junior High Band in 6th.
Band has been proven again and again to be a great way to build confidence, gain a sense of belonging among other band students, strengthen hand-eye coordination, improve fine motor skills and muscle memory, and has been scientifically proven to increase academic performance. Band is a great elective choice for ALL students! Neil Armstrong, first man to step on the moon, credits training that he received while playing euphonium in his high school band as helping him on the many disciplines necessary for the success for the famed Apollo XI mission. (He also played in the Purdue University Band.)
Playing a band instrument, like learning anything else requires daily practice. This practice is as time consuming as a normal homework assignment. At the start, your child will need to practice 10-15 minutes a day most days of the week. That will increase as the music gets more difficult. 5th-8th grade bands also meet one morning a week from 7:00-7:30, as we just don't have enough time during the school day. We will have a few evening concerts per year, but you will be given plenty of time to prepare your schedule.
This is an important question. Just as a football team can’t consist of only quarterbacks, the same is true for a band. A band must have multiple instruments, so not every child can play the same instrument. During Open House on August 22nd, we will be hosting an instrument petting zoo! Anyone interested in joining band is HIGHLY encouraged to sign up for a 10-minute appointment to help us find the right instrument for your child. Your student will be able to try various instruments to help determine what they should play. This process is led by Mrs Falk, and our representative from White House of Music, and we will help the student pick an instrument that they will be successful at AND that they will want to practice and play. Everyone is welcome, even if you’re not sure if you are going to join. You may never have an opportunity to try all these instruments again!
Yes. There is some form of financial investment for all students. It is a one-time fee of $350 per student, with each additional student at a $25 discount. This fee will go towards music, lesson books, and even some supplies like reeds, valve oils, and other miscellaneous needs. If you do not own an instrument already, there will also be the cost of renting a quality instrument, and keeping it in good repair, which may include some maintenance throughout the year. The most important thing to know is that financial concerns are NOT a reason for a student to not take band. Please contact Mrs Falk with questions.
Each band performs at the Christmas concert, Grandparents Day, and a band-only concert in March. Beginner Band will participate in all of those, in addition to their first mini-concert in October! All performances are mandatory. You will be given plenty of time to prepare your schedule for these performances. These performances are a great way for the students to show their progress throughout the year.
Your student will be learning how to play their instrument and read music. This requires DAILY practice at home. Support from parents (reminders to practice, help setting up the technology needed, praise and encouragement) goes a very long way!
Attendance in lessons and group band is mandatory. It is important to develop teamwork and camaraderie by showing up every time!
Instruments sometimes need maintenance or new supplies such as oil or reeds. Your student is to have enough supplies to keep their instrument in working condition.
What’s great about being in band is you can also participate in other activities! We have multiple students involved in volleyball, quizbowl, baseball, softball, basketball, track, theater, etc. We can make any situation work, as long as there is communication. The most important thing is to be a part of the band NOW! If you wait until middle school to enroll your child, it will be much more difficult to find a working schedule for them to be band with other beginners.