Beginning Band F.A.Q.s

ALL 4th grade students at Upper Sandusky and at St. Peter's School are eligible to join the 5th grade band! Instrument testing and selection begins in the spring of the 4th grade year and instruction begins during the summer prior to beginning 5th grade.

The 5th grade bands perform at three short concerts during the year (usually December, March, and May). Aside from these concerts, the only outside-of-school time commitment is practice at home.

Absolutely NOTHING! Instruments and testing supplies are provided by our school-approved vendor and are sanitized between every use. It's free to try - so, really, the worst thing that happens if you come and try out an instrument is that you find out it's "not for you." The best thing? Well, you'll have a lifetime to enjoy the friends and skill you learn participating in band.

There are several "costs" to participation in band - but they can vary widely from student to student. Some of the costs include:

• • • Obtaining an instrument (either through rental or purchase)

    • Supplies (like reeds, oils, books, etc.)

    • Summer Lessons (5 weeks of private lessons for all students entering grades 5-8 and optional for students entering grades 9-12)

    • There is a $10 class fee in 5th-8th Grade to help offset the cost of SmartMusic, the main technology tool we use to assist with practice and learning.

In the USEVS Band Program, our goal is that FINANCES NEVER STAND IN THE WAY OF A STUDENT PARTICIPATING IN BAND! If you have financial concerns about ANY aspect of joining the band, please contact Mr. Hoffman!

We recommend Instrument Care Center as they provide weekly service to our band programs and work closely with directors to provide the instruments and supplies our students need at fair prices.

There are several LOCAL music retailers where you can get instruments/supplies:

• • Instrument Care Center (located in Findlay)

  • Forte Music (located in Tiffin)

  • Rettig Music (several locations including Toledo and Columbus)

You can purchase some of the most commonly needed supplies through the Upper Sandusky Music Boosters by clicking here.

In addition, SOME online vendors can be good options - but BUYER BEWARE as there are MANY misleading items and names with prices that look too good to be true. If you decide to purchase online, PLEASE contact Mr. Hoffman or Mr. Morris to make sure you are getting quality, recommended items!

One of the hallmarks of our band program is the Summer Lessons program offered through the Music Boosters each year. We bring in highly trained specialists (current band directors, college students, and professional musicians) to teach your students in a one-on-one setting. The lesson program runs for 5 weeks (June - early July) and each student receives ONE 30-minute private lesson per week.

The cost of the lessons is $60 per student (late registrations are $75) for the entire 5-week program. Students who miss a lesson due to a pre-arranged conflict (like vacations, camps, etc.) will receive a "make-up" lesson at another time during the program.

It is VITAL to your student's success that they participate in summer lessons. In the event that you are unable to participate due to time, please contact Mr. Hoffman to discuss alternate arrangements for getting started in band.

In the USEVS Band Program, our goal is that FINANCES NEVER STAND IN THE WAY OF A STUDENT PARTICIPATING IN BAND! If you have financial concerns about ANY aspect of joining the band, please contact Mr. Hoffman!

This one is a bit hard - because the answer is sometimes.

• • Large instruments like french horns, bass clarinets, and tubas are almost always provided by the school because of their cost (and the lack of rental availability). There is an instrument rental fee associated with the use of these school-owned instruments.

  • Beginning instruments (flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and percussion kits) might be available on a very limited basis, based on financial need. The school does have some of these grant-funded instruments in our inventory, but not enough to provide instruments to every student in the band program. Usually these are short-term rentals to allow families to search for/find an instrument for purchase. There is an instrument rental fee associated with any year-long use of these school-owned instruments.

Please reach out to Mr. Hoffman directly by email or by calling USMS at (419)294-5721 to discuss school-owned instrument usage.

The short answer is: ABSOLUTELY YES! The adults (coaches and directors) work together to try to avoid conflicts as much as possible. When there are schedule conflicts, we also work those out so that there is no negative effect on the student in either activity. Most years, more than 50% of the students in the USHS Band are also involved in a sport or other activity (like FFA).