Welcome to TAFA Beginning Band!

We’re thrilled your student is joining the Band! We know this can be both exciting and a bit overwhelming—but rest assured, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Getting an Instrument

We’re here to help you find a high-quality, affordable instrument. We recommend several trusted local music stores that we work with regularly:

• Rivard Brothers (Arlington – sales and repairs)

• Houghton Horns (brass only)

• Sweetwater Music - GREAT rental program

• Brook Mays

• Music and Arts

• The Bandwagon
  
  

Check your student’s specific instrument page for recommended brands and models. Used instruments from platforms like eBay, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace can be a great option—as long as they are from a reliable brand and in good playing condition. When in doubt, feel free to reach out!

Stay in the Loop: Email Updates and Announcements!

We stay in close contact with parents throughout the year. Please check your email regularly for messages from:

• lori.rooke@tafa.org - general beginning band questions and flute or percussion questions

• kate.whaley@tafa.org -  woodwind questions

• kristine.smith@tafa.org -  brass questions
  
  

Emails will have “Beg Band” in the subject line to make it easier to find, especially if you have kids in multiple groups. If you haven’t heard from us in a while, please check your spam folder.

check the Imstrumental Band division Announcement page! 

Parent & Student Orientation – First Day of Class

We’ll kick off with an in-class orientation on the first day.
Parents, please attend!

• Who: All Brass, Woodwind, and Percussion students + parents

• When: First day of class – 9:00 AM in Loft C (class begins at 9:00)

• Ends: By 10:00 AM
  We promise to honor your time and keep things efficient and informative.
  
  

TAFA Band Web Page

The Beginning Band class webpage will be your go-to hub for:

• Homework assignments

• Practice charts

• Listening exercises

• Music reading games

• Weekly news and updates
  
  

Please plan to visit this page weekly. The site will go live by mid-August.

Attendance Matters

Band class meets once a week, so attendance is critical. Each session covers a full week’s worth of instruction. Please only miss class if your student is sick—and if so, email us to let us know.

Arrive on time! Students should be in class by 8:55 AM so we can start promptly at 9:00.

“To be early is to be on time. To be on time is to be late. To be late… well, let’s avoid the director’s wrath!”
(We do understand if an occasional traffic issue comes up—safety first.)

Practicing at Home = Progress in Class

Daily practice is essential for success. Most students won’t take full ownership of this for the first couple of years, so your support at home is key.

We’ll begin with short written assignments and gradually build to 30 minutes of practice, five days a week.

To help your student succeed:

• Provide a quiet place to practice

• Use a proper chair and music stand

• Set a daily practice time (before 9:00 PM sneaks up on you—we’ve been there!)
  
  

Remember: Musicians are made at home, not just in class.

Keep the Communication Flowing

If your child is struggling, feeling confused, or discouraged, let us know right away. We can’t help if we don’t know something’s wrong. We’ll work with you and your student to adjust and support their learning experience.

We’re here to help every student succeed—and that starts with open, ongoing communication.

We’re excited to begin this journey with you and your student! Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.

Woodwind Instrument Information

Brass Instrument Information

Percussion Instrument Information