We understand that joining the Band is FUN and can be overwhelming! We are here to help!

Obtaining an instrument - we are here to help you obtain an instrument which is of excellent quality and affordable! We partner with The Bandwagon, a local Fort Worth music store which works to make one stop shopping for all TAFA instrumental needs including supplies, rentals, or purchases. We also work with Rivard Brothers (located in Arlington - sales and service), and Houghton Horns (Brass instrument sales and service) both of whom we highly recommend!  Please see your specific instrument page for brand recommendations.  We are happy with quality used instruments - ebay, craigslist,, facebook marketplace, ect…as  long as the instrument is in great working order and a trusted brand!

Emails and Text - Watch for emails from lori.rooke@tafa.org or kate.whaley@tafa.org  - we work diligently to communicate with you so please check your emails frequently!  Beg Band  will be in the subject line to help parents with students in multiple band classes.  If you haven’t heard from us in a while please check your spam folder!  We will also communicate through flocknotes text to get quick info out!  Make sure you have  joined the TAFA Band flocknotes to receive texts!

    What do you and your student need to know? - We will have a Band orientation in class the first day!            Parents please plan to attend. This will begin at 10:00 for ALL Beginning Percussion and Beginning Band           parents and students. We value your time and want to make the best effort to honor your time. 

TAFA Band web page and Virtual classroom  - you and your student will be able to access, via the TAFA website, the Band page for Beginning Band Virtual Classroom link which will have links for homework, the practice chart, listening exercises, musical note reading games, and more.  This page  needs to be accessed weekly. All Band News will be accessible on this web page as well. (This page will be set up by mid August.)

Class Attendance -  class attendance is imperative for each student. We teach a week’s worth of instruction each class day! Missing class is like missing an entire week. Please only miss if you are sick, and err on the side of caution for sickness please, but please do not miss otherwise! If your student is going to be absent please send us an email.  Also being on time is so IMPORTANT for band!  The most important things we do happen first off in band class - warming up our playing muscles keeps our musicians healthy! Please help us by getting your student to class on time.  There is an old band proverb… To be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late, and to be late is to incur the wrath of the director….. 

(We do understand an occasional traffic situation! Safety first!)

Practicing - for success each student must practice daily! We need your help reminding your student to practice.  Students will not take ownership of this for two to three years! We will start out with written homework, then we will add in small daily practice time which will gradually increase to a required 30 minutes a day 5 days a week. 

     Please help your child practice successfully - good chair to sit in unless a percussionist, a music stand, and a set daily practice time. Without a set time it will suddenly be 9:00pm and you will realize your student never practiced! (Feel free to ask me how I know this!)  Practicing is where mastery of what was taught happens. Musicians cannot be made on one class time a week. Your child needs your help, we teachers need your help!

Communication - Please let us know if your child is struggling or not understanding something.  We cannot fix or correct something we do not know about.  We want to do our best for every student and that requires communication. If your child is discouraged or is not enjoying class (it won’t always be bubblegum and lollipops) let us know and we will reassess our approach and/or can bring light to the situation.  

Woodwind Instrument Information

Brass Instrument Information

Percussion Instrument Information