5th Grade Band

          During the first few weeks of school, students will meet with their band teacher in large groups to learn and try out different instruments. During this time Mrs. Funk and Mr. Maher will work with your student to find the best place for them in the band! After your student has tried all of the instruments, they will be sent home with a sheet showing how well they did on each instrument and their band directors’ suggestions/comments before the instrument rental night. Those instruments include flute, clarinet, oboe, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, baritone, tuba, and percussion. By instrument rental night students will choose to either be apart of the band or choir. 

The instrument rental night will be held in the Winnebago High School Cafeteria. Most families rent an instrument for their child from a local music store, at least for the first few months, rather than purchasing an instrument right away. There are a very limited number of instruments available through the school for families that need financial assistance (a few clarinets, french horns, trombones, baritones, and tubas). Renting before buying allows students the opportunity to discover whether band is something they want to continue to be involved in as they continue into middle school and high school. 

As we start discussions with the students about band, the list shown here is the balance we reference in all of our talks. Regardless of the number of students in the 5th grade band, these are roughly the ratios we are aiming for. 

BALANCED BAND

Total Members: 100

 Flute: 12

Oboe: 2 

Clarinet:  24

Alto Saxophone:  4

Tenor Saxophone:  4

Trumpet: 20

Horn : 8

Trombone:  12

Baritone:  6

Tuba : 3

Percussion:  5