Beginning Band/Strings FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions (see below for answers)

1. When does the band class meet?

2. What instruments are started?

3. Is any previous musical training necessary?

4. Can my child be successful even if I don't have musical talent?

5. Are certain instruments for girls and others for boys?

6. When do students need instruments?

7. Should I rent or purchase an instrument?

8. What about buying used instruments?

9. Are there any school owned instruments available to check out?

10. Can my child start playing as soon as he/she gets an instrument?

11. Can my child participate in both athletics and band at the same time?

12. Are there any extra rehearsals required? Concerts?

13. Will my child be required to practice at home?

14. Do the grades my child receives in other classes effect participation in band?

15. What about private lessons? Are they required?

1. When does the band class meet? Beginning band meets as a regular class for 55 minutes per day for the entire school year during 5th period. Skills develop slowly at first, therefore,students and parents must be patient and committed for the entire school year in order to get the full benefit of band instruction.

2. What instruments are started? Beginners are started on flute, clarinet, trumpet, and trombone. We will help you choose the instrument that is best for you at our instrument screening and selection nights in the first week of school. Students may have an opportunity to explore other instruments after Spring Break in April.

3. Is any previous musical training necessary? No. The method books used in beginner band are for the musically untrained student. We teach the fundamentals of reading music as well as the fundamentals of playing an instrument. As students progress, you will be able to recognize familiar tunes. Their progress culminates in a in several concerts throughout the year.

4. Can my child be successful even if I don't have musical talent? Music psychologists have tried for many years to determine whether heredity or environment has the greatest influence on musicality. Interestingly, both sides use the same data to support their arguments. The most important requirement for success is the desire to succeed.

5. Are certain instruments for girls and others for boys? Definitely NOT! Instrument choices are not on a student's gender, but rather their desire to play that instrument. Instrument selection is based primarily upon the facial characteristics of the student, and, most importantly, their personal choice.

6. When do students need instruments? Instruments will be needed by the second week of school. Students will need to keep their instrument in the music room for safety. Please make sure that the case is labeled with your child's name. Don’t wait too long! Most music companies run out of stock in September. We will have a music company attend our instrument selection meeting for you to reserve an instrument for the school year.

7. Should I rent or purchase an instrument? Definitely, rent. Renting an instrument will give your child the opportunity to begin in band with only a small initial investment. Your child can have the advantages of a brand new instrument, such as pride of ownership, freedom from error due to poor equipment, and the opportunity to be the best player they can be by having the best available instrument for their age level. Your child will have the instrument and mouthpiece recommended by the band directors. The instrument can be returned to the company at any time without further obligation. All rental applies towards purchase.

8. What about buying used instruments? Some used instruments are good bargains. However, you could possibly end up spending more money on repairs than the instrument is worth. For this reason,we ask that if you do purchase a used instrument, try to let a Band Director examine it prior to purchase. Local music stores and former band students are excellent sources of used instruments. You might see if the music companies have used instruments available. We have found most pawn shop instruments to be of dubious quality. WARNING: The “band instruments” listed in departments store (i.e. Sears, Sam’s), in my personal opinion, are not quality instruments and many repair companies WILL NOT repair them!

9. Are there any school owned instruments available to check out? Yes. The school provides the more expensive instruments: tuba, baritone, French horn, oboe, and bassoon. These are assigned on the basis of aptitude, suitability, and availability - NOT financial need. Parents whose child is selected to play one of these school instruments are required to pay a usage fee, and will still be required to purchase necessary accessories such as a mouthpiece, books, reeds/valve oil. Due to the unique nature and difficulty of the oboe, bassoon, French horn, and percussion instruments it is CRITICAL that they take weekly private lessons . These instruments  are so challenging that if you don’t take lessons, you should not even elect to play them. Private lessons for all instruments lessons are strongly encouraged.

10. Can my child start playing as soon as he/she gets an instrument? In order to prevent costly repairs and the formation of bad habits, we prefer that the instrument stay in the case until the student can receive instruction. After formal instruction is given on the care and assembly of the instrument during the first week of school, your child will begin playing at home. This is to protect your investment! If you rent/purchase from a music company, the store will deliver the instrument and materials to our band hall before the first day of school. An additional option for eager students is to start band this SUMMER with a Private Lesson teacher.

11. Can my child participate in both athletics and band at the same time? YES. There are many middle school students who are in band,athletics, and other organizations. Because of the unique nature of playing a musical instrument, we try to encourage students to begin band in 6th grade. In 7th grade & 8th grade, the school administration, coaches, classroom teachers and band directors work together to try to avoid conflicts in scheduling. We have current OMS members who are also in sports.

12. Are there any extra rehearsals required? Concerts? Click here for the 2017-2018 concert dates!

13. Will my child be required to practice at home? Yes. Beginning the second week of school, students are required as a part of their grade to practice 15-30 minutes every day outside of class. They record their time on a "Practice Card", which is turned in and graded weekly. For home practice, students are to purchase a folding music stand,metronome (electronic time-keeper). We have found that these items are important in carrying the classroom experiences over to home practice. Parents are encouraged to give positive support to the student as he/she progresses. All instruments are required to be taken home every day even if they cannot practice that evening.

14. Do the grades my child receives in other classes effect participation in band? Although your band directors stress academic success in all subjects, grades do not effect participation in beginner band. When going on to the 7th & 8th grade bands (and the high school band), students will be competing in both individual and group competitions. Students are required to be passing in all subjects before being allowed to compete. Grades do not, however, effect the daily participation and membership in band, or participation in the concerts.It only effects competitions.

15. What about private lessons? Are they required? Private lessons are strongly encouraged for all students, but are not required. If your child takes private lessons, he/she will receive one-on-one instruction from a professional musician (many of which have graduate degrees). Private lessons help challenge faster-paced students and strengthen slower paced students.Again, they are not required, but above average results are almost guaranteed!It is better to RENT a less expensive instrument and participate in the private lessons program than to purchase a top line instrument and not take lessons!! Lessons are important!