Family Info & Practice Help

Stay Connected

Quick updates go out through Textcaster, the school's text alert system. Families can sign up on the district's Text Alerts page. Formal news and permission forms come by email.

How to Practice at Home

• Short and often: 10–15 minutes most days beats one long session before a lesson.

• Warm up first: long tones and a scale to get your sound going.

• Slow it down: practice tricky spots slowly and correctly, then speed up.

• Use Band Karate: work toward your next belt so every practice has a goal.

• Play for someone: family members make a great audience!

Instrument Rentals & Repairs

Mount Ayr Bands works with Lanham Music. Rent instruments here: Lanham band & orchestra instrument rentals.

• A Lanham representative visits the school weekly.

• Students fill out a repair slip and give it, with the instrument, to Mr. Walker.

• Lanham calls a parent/guardian with an estimate before any work begins.

• Payment: cash or check made payable to Lanham Music, turned in to the band director.

Reeds, valve oil, and other supplies are sold at school (cash).

Contact

Mr. Giovanni Walker, Director of Bands (grades 5–12): gio.walker@mtayrschools.org