Beginning Band is open to all students in 4th and 5th grade!
Lessons have begun!!!
It's been a bit of a process, but we are underway with all beginning band lessons. There may be a few changes made depending on certain classes, but everyone should be in lessons and learning their new instruments!
If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Hilkert!!!
Beginning Band Lessons
Beginning band lessons for 4th/5th grade at BES and SoRo are currently being scheduled. Please be patient as we work with the classroom teachers to get everyone lesson times that don't interfere with when students are not allowed to be pulled from class.
Once scheduled, we will let everyone know and get started!
We are doing instrument demos for the students currently and sending them home with sign-up forms. Below is some information that will be helpful in speaking with your student(s) about picking an instrument. The sign-up forms need to completed and returned to Mr. Hilkert by Friday September 12, 2025.
Students this year are able to pick from - Flute, Clarinet, Alto Sax, Trumpet, Trombone and Percussion.
If you already have an instrument at home, please bring it in so Mr. Hilkert and/or Scott Paulson can make sure the instrument is in a good, playable condition.
If you do not already have an instrument, Ellis music has a very good rental/rent-to-own program. There will be a flyer coming home about that and Ellis' website is also under the "links" tab here on the site. If you are unable to rent an instrument, please contact Mr. Hilkert at mhilkert@wrvsu.org as we do also have school instruments available for use as well. Again, we don't want to turn away anyone who wants to learn to play!
Speaking of instruments, please be aware of ISO's or Instrument Shaped Objects. There are many places online and in-store where you can get an "instrument" cheap, but please remember the old saying "you get what you pay for". These ISO's are cheaply made and in many cases, not repairable when they break.
Just like the middle school students, the band students in 4th/5th grade will have music lessons. Parents can choose between private lessons or group lessons. Please see the lesson tab on this page to get more information. The lessons are in addition to the students having a dedicated "Band class" on Wednesday mornings from 8-8:30.
If this is your first time dealing with a student wanting to join band, it is understandable that this is and can be very confusing/overwhelming. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Hilkert and he will be able to help you.