The STMC Elementary Band

STMC Elementary Band

Welcome to the STMC Elementary Band! We are going to share an exciting year of music and learning. Here, you will find all the information you need to get started.

Schedule

Our rehearsals will be held weekly on Thursdays from 3:30-4:30pm in the STMC Band Room. Our first rehearsal will be Thursday September 11. Please arrive at 3:15pm each week so we can promptly begin rehearsals at 3:30pm. Please do not arrive earlier than 3:15. We will NOT play during the first or second rehearsal. Instruments are not needed until First Note Night (see below).

Instruments

Each student will be assigned an instrument based on the preferences indicated on your Registration Form. Everyone has been assigned to their 1st, 2nd, or 3rd choice instruments. We are fortunate to have a TREMENDOUS turn-out for Elementary Band this year. Please refer to your email for the Instrument Assignment list. 

Instrumentation is a term used to describe the balance of the specific instrument types found in an ensemble (in our case, a concert band). The music we play is composed for this specific instrument grouping. Instrumentation aims to balance the higher voiced and lower voiced instruments and to mix or blend the sound of these instrument sections to create a unique group sound that we know as the “concert band." Nearly all bands (and orchestras) in the world are formed around this concept of instrumentation.

For Concert Bands: (The instruments in bold are the ones we will have in our band).

Piccolo, flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, French horn, trumpet, trombone, baritone, tuba, percussion.  Students will have the opportunity to play the other instruments once they are in high school or, in some cases, if they have prior experience in Elementary Band.

The number of instruments in each section depends on the requirements of the music and the overall size of the band.

Instruments have been assigned so that we have the right number of players on each instrument. Therefore, instrument change requests will only be considered, as needed, once students have spent some time learning the instrument assigned to them. Please do not email instrument change requests at this time. Thank you for your cooperation.

Instrument Rental & Supplies 

You’ll need to bring your instrument, sheet music, method book (Sound Innovations), and a pencil to each rehearsal. Students must purchase “Sound Innovations Book 1” for their respective instrument. Additional sheet music will be provided by STMC.

We have helped facilitate instrument rentals with Tapestry Music, or you can rent from a store of your choice. Visit the Tapestry rental website HERE, choose a rental category (Buy Back, School Year, Monthly), select “Burnaby” for the district, “St. Thomas More Collegiate” for the school, then select “Elementary” under the Teacher drop down menu. Here, you will see the various instruments available to us. You may select a “Standard” instrument or a “Yamaha” instrument which is somewhat better quality than the standard. If the Yamaha is affordable for you, it is recommended. If not, no worries- the standard instrument will be fine! You will also be given an option to add the Sound Innovations book 1 to your order. This is the most convenient way to purchase the book. 

Clarinetists will also need to purchase 1 Legere European Cut #2.5 Clarinet reed (available on the Tapestry website)

Saxophonists will also need to purchase 1 Legere Signature #2.5 reed (alto or tenor saxophone, as assigned) (available on the Tapestry website)

All instrument rental orders must be submitted to Tapestry Music online no later than end of day on WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 11. Tapestry Music will then process all orders and deliver your instruments to STMC in time for our September 18 rehearsal. You can pick up your instrument at rehearsal. If you choose to rent from a different supplier, please have instruments ready for First Note Night.

First Note Night!

Elementary Band Students are invited to a special event: STMC’s “First Note Night” on Monday September 22, 7:00-8:30pm at STMC. Professional musicians from the VSO will join us as clinicians to help students learn the basics about their instruments from opening the case for the first time to making that exciting first sound. First Note Night is a “jumpstart” way to learn from a pro and to get started swiftly on the right foot. Attendance is required. Students who have participated in Elementary Band in previous years also must attend First Note Night. This is an excellent refresher of basic skills for returning students.

*To avoid damage to instruments or incorrect usage, students should not open their instrument cases or try playing instruments before First Note Night. It will be hard to contain your excitement of course, but once you’ve been taught how to start out, you’ll be up and running!

Payment Information

The cost for the STMC Elementary Band is $350 for the year. Fees are non-refundable. 

§  $100 non-refundable deposit was due in June.

§  $250 due by Friday, September 5.

Fees must be paid on Karelo using this link  https://www.karelo.com/register.php?BID=485&BT=10&Ev=22893

Sign up for a Karelo account (or log into your account), then under "Events," select "Elementary Band Fee Balance Only."  The $250 balance MUST be paid by September 5, otherwise your spot will be offered to a student on the waiting list. 

*If multiple students from one family are involved in the group, we can offer a discount. The fee for the first student is $350 with each subsequent student fee being $275. These families should send a CHEQUE payable to STMC rather than paying on Karelo.

Policies & Procedures

Students are expected to be on-time and to stay for the full duration of all rehearsals. Please schedule other activities around our weekly rehearsal time. If you need to miss a rehearsal, you must email Ms. MacLellan with as much advance notice as possible.

Students are expected to contribute as positive citizens of the ensemble. All ensemble members will:

·      treat one another with kindness and respect

·      be attentive and fully present in rehearsals (devices must be put away)

·      maintain a quiet, focused atmosphere conducive to productive rehearsals

·      treat all instruments (personal and school owned) with care and caution

·      Help maintain a clean, comfortable space in the band room by taking responsibility 

       for their own belongings and any items used during class

·      Act with maturity while visiting STMC: walk quietly in the halls, treat school property  

       carefully

All band members are required to attend our performances at STMC (November 29 and April 20).

Performance dress code

Black pants, black socks, black dress shoes, STMC Elementary Band T-shirt (shirt will be provided).

Important Dates

September 5: Fee balance due

September 11: deadline for online rentals through Tapestry Music

September 11: first rehearsal, 3:30-4:30pm (instruments are not required at this rehearsal as they will not yet be delivered).

September 18: instruments can be picked up at rehearsal if rented from Tapestry

September 22: First Note Night, 7:00-8:30pm at STMC

November 29: Christmas concert performance (morning) at STMC

*No rehearsals in December or on Jan. 1

January 8, 2026: first rehearsal of the new year

No rehearsal Feb. 12, March 19, March 26

April 20: Spring Music Knight performance (evening) at STMC

Elementary Band concludes after the April 20 performance