6th Grade Beginners

This page is for all current 2023-2024 6th grade Beginners in the Crestwood MS Band Program!

Beg Band- How to Practice .pdf

Google Classroom

We will be using Google Classroom as a way to complete forms, submit assessments, and numerous other items in band class. 

Please join the class below that you belong to, which can be done by you logging into your KPS Student Account, opening the Google Classroom app and accepting the invitation to join. 

The invitation to join will be sent out during the first week of school, once rosters and instruments have been finalized!

Flute/Oboe Class

Clarinet Class

Percussion Class

High Brass (Trumpet/French Horn) Class

Low Brass (Trombone/Baritone/Tuba) Class

Please Contact Mr. Chitta if you are having trouble with this. 


Dear 6th Grade Band Students and Parents: 


Greetings from the Crestwood Middle School Band Department and welcome to 6th grade band! We look forward to meeting you this fall. This is a great place to learn and grow. Depending on the instrument you are playing, your teacher will be Mr. Chitta with the assistance of Mr.Proctor of Valleywood Middle School . The instrument your student plays determines his/her schedule. Changes in instrument may mean a change of class schedule. Mr. Chitta and Mr. Proctor are highly qualified music teachers who will successfully guide you through your first band experience. You will begin to learn how to play your chosen instrument, study the elements of music, listen to and perform some great songs, and put on a few concerts for our parents, relatives, and friends.  

 

Students will need to obtain their instrument by September 5th. It is strongly suggested that parents rent an instrument though a reputable music dealer (These can be found here).​ There are several music stores in our area that specialize in school instrumental music. These stores can provide instrument rentals at affordable prices. Rental agreements have an insurance policy covering damage or breakage while renting and repair service at no additional charge.   

 

The quality of brands of instruments varies. Students who play on quality instruments tend to have a greater amount of success than those struggling with an instrument that doesn't work well. Local music vendors specialize in having the finest standard of quality instruments recommended by the band instructors at our school. An instrument purchase via the Internet (eBay, Craigslist, Amazon, etc.) is not recommended. We have found these instruments do not function well and when the need arises for repair, the local music store repair technicians are unable to service them because repair or replacement parts are nonexistent. If you have any questions about this, please feel free to contact Mr. Chitta by email at your convenience.   stephen.chitta@kentwoodps.org

 

A list of necessary equipment to accompany the instrument rental is listed below. It is expected that students playing french horn, baritone, or tuba purchase a mouthpiece since we will provide those instruments for your child with a rental cost through the school. The other items listed for each instrument are necessary for cleaning or actual performance. A quality mouthpiece is crucial for successful playing and will make a student­-line instrument function at its optimum best.  Mouthpieces listed will have to be requested when obtaining the instrument.    

 

Parents, your children are going to be very excited to get their instrument, however, ​PLEASE discourage them from putting it together until we learn as a class. This will prevent a lot of damage. Crestwood band students will not need to bring their instruments on the first two days of school. This will give us a chance to hand out materials, complete some paper work, and learn where to store our instruments before we actually have them in hand. 

 

Our textbook, Habits of a Successful Beginner Band Musician, will be provided from the school. Students who lose their books will be expected to replace it. The students will need it for the entire year, and it is a good resource for Seventh Grade Band. All 6th graders will also have a small $5 Binder fee that will cover a 3-ring binder, tab dividers and a pencil. 

 

Students, we are eager to work with you! Be ready to learn in the fall, and we will have a great time. Enjoy your last few weeks of the summer, and we will see you soon. 

 

Sincerely, 

 

Stephen Chitta and Jason Proctor

Band Directors 

Crestwood Middle School & Valleywood Middle School


Instrument Supply List and Suggested Brands

ALL INSTRUMENTS: 

Dividers will be labeled:

1-Calendar

2-Objectives/PR

3-Rhythm

4-Technique

5-Handouts

6-Music/Book


FLUTE (This instrument is rented from a trusted music store. Other supplies below still need to be purchased)

Recommended Brands: Yamaha, Jupiter or Armstrong

Cotton handkerchief for cleaning the interior of the instrument  


OBOE (This instrument is rented from the school for a yearly fee and Mr. Chitta will arrange this. Other supplies below still need to be purchased)

**Private Lessons are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED FOR THIS INSTRUMENT, AS THIS IS A "SPECIALTY" INSTRUMENT**

Silk cleaning swab (be sure it is for Oboe and not another woodwind instrument) 

Reed case

At least 2-3 Reeds (Jones Medium recommended)

Empty (and cleaned) pill bottle for reed soaking


CLARINET (This instrument is rented from a trusted music store. Other supplies below still need to be purchased)

Recommended Brands: Yamaha Plastic, Jupiter or Vito

VanDoren B45 mouthpiece with ligature and cap   

At least three (3) 2 ­1/2 strength reeds 

Reed guard to hold at least three (3) reeds 

Cork grease 

Silk Cleaning swab 

 

TRUMPET (This instrument is rented from a trusted music store. Other supplies below still need to be purchased)

Recommended Brands: Yamaha, Bach or Jupiter

Bach 7C mouthpiece 

Valve oil 

Slide grease 

 

FRENCH HORN (This instrument is rented from the school for a yearly fee and Mr. Chitta will arrange this. Other supplies below still need to be purchased)

Holton Farkas medium cup mouthpiece 

Rotor oil  

Slide grease 

 

TROMBONE (This instrument is rented from a trusted music store. Other supplies below still need to be purchased)

Recommended Brands: Yamaha, King, Bach, or Jupiter 

Bach 6 1/2 AL mouthpiece 

Superslick slide cream

Spray bottle 

Slide grease 

 

BARITONE (This instrument is rented from the school for a yearly fee and Mr. Chitta will arrange this. Other supplies below still need to be purchased)

Bach 6 1/2 AL mouthpiece 

Valve oil 

Slide grease 

 

TUBA (This instrument is rented from the school for a yearly fee and Mr. Chitta will arrange this. Other supplies below still need to be purchased)

Conn Helleberg Tuba Series, or Bach 18 mouthpiece 

Valve oil 

Slide grease 

 

PERCUSSION (This instrument is rented from a trusted music store. Other supplies below still need to be purchased)

Percussion Kit with Bell Set and Practice Pad, Recommended Brands: Mapex, Yamaha or CB700

Vic Firth SD 1 Snare Drum sticks 

Mike Balter G3 Medium hard nylon Bell Mallets