We are now taking registrations for Band and Chorus for the upcoming school year! This is open to ANY 6th, 7th or 8th grader for next year. Since we weren't able to come to your schools or have our open house for new students...both the band and chorus director have made two videos for you to give you some info about what we're all about. :) Feel free to check them out, links are below. One is aimed for STUDENTS and one is aimed for PARENTS, but your welcome to watch both. :) PARENTS...your video is short and sweet.
If you'd like more information about band specifically, check out the remainder of this page on the bottom "Top questions about joining band" or visit the PCMS Chorus website for more info about chorus.
If you have any questions, please email amanda.miller@yourcharlotteschools.net for band questions and michelle.marshall@yourcharlotteschools.net for chorus. We will both be glad to communicate with you.
PCMS encourages any student who wishes to learn how to play an instrument to sign up. PCMS is fortunate to have many resources to help our students be involved, regardless of various situations that may cause them to believe they can't join.
Below are the top seven most common questions asked to help you make the decision to join PCMS Band. It's a lot of info, but we'd rather have it here for you than to have you wonder what the answers are. Also, if you have a question not answered here or would like further information, please email Mrs. Miller at amanda.miller@yourcharlotteschools.net.
Band is a full year class that is in your in your daily class schedule the same as math, social studies, science and language arts. Band is graded as other classes are on your report card and counts towards your GPA (Grade point average.)
Before school rehearsals: NONE. NOT ONE. EVER. EVER. EVER. EVER. Band is not a "club" like in elementary school, there are NO before school rehearsals. No need to worry about morning transportation.
After School rehearsals: VERY FEW. The beginner band is so large we split it up into three classes during the school day. Your child will be in one of these three classes. Before our December and May concerts, we will combine all three classes together just a few times after school to practice our music together so we are successful on stage for our performance. That's it! 98% of band is done in class during the day. If a musician can't make these rehearsals, it's okay!! We'll work around it, it's okay! Join band!
Performances
Beginner band has two concert performances during their first year of instrumental study. Dates and times are given WELL in advance for families to make arrangements. These performances will be the best part of band for your child, trust us. :) Don't let this be a reason not to join. (Don't worry about stage fright...it's much easier to deal with in a band of over 100 people.)
Do not let financial worries keep you from joining band. Seriously, no bait and switch here. PCMS band has a large inventory of instruments available to loan to PCMS Band students. We will also help with any band supplies you need. PCMS band has never and will never turn a student away due to financial difficulties. We will make it happen!
Band supplies:
Non-instrument supplies are limited in number and very inexpensive. Band students will need pencils, a hard cover black 3 ring binder and 5 tab dividers. Assistance is available if needed.
Instrument specific supplies depend on the instrument the child selects. Good news is you have control over this selection as a parent right up front at the "Instrument Test Drive" event. You will know 100% up front if the instrument requires a one time supply or a recurring supply of items and what their cost is. Some instruments only cost $1.00 for the entire year of supplies, others cost more. It's all dependent on the instrument selected at "Instrument test drive night". For either, assistance is available if needed. DON'T worry! We will help you! (For more details on the instrument selection process, see the section further down on this page.)
Instruments & Instrument Rentals. Do I have to rent or does PCMS provide my child with an instrument?
PCMS has a very large inventory of instruments to provide for students to use for their entire time in PCMS band (all three years). PCMS will provide out its entire inventory of instruments before a parent is asked to rent an instrument. 97% of ALL students in PCMS band have a free instrument from PCMS Bands. (Some parents willingly choose to rent or already own an instrument.)
Instrument rentals are encouraged, but not required. As stated above, there is a large inventory to provide for students. Rentals are the way to go if the student wants to eventually own their own instrument (there is a fantastic rent-to-own program through one of our dealers) or would like a new instrument that hasnt' been played before. Rentals also include free repairs which could be extremely costly without them included in the rental fee.
These discussions will happen between the band director and parent during "Instrument test drive night" with full transparency of financial obligations. No surprises down the road.
PCMS Band provides a wide varitey of instruments for students to select from. They include the flute, oboe, clarinet, Alto/tenor/bari saxophone, bassoon, trumpet, french horn, trombone, baritone, tuba and percussion (drums.) PCMS takes instrument selection very seriously and has a tried and true process for instrument selection.
Violin/Viola/Cello/Bass are string instruments and are unfortunately not taught at the middle or high school level in Charlotte County. However, Mrs. MIller has "doubled" orchestral student on a band instrument very easily and has made very happy band students about of string players. :)
Guitar/Piano, please email Mrs. Miller about these selections.
During the first few days of band class, all band students will be introduced to all the instruments. They will see them up close, they will hear Mrs. Miller play them live and they will watch videos of the masters of the instruments perform at the professional level. After they have an educated view of all the instruments, they will participate in "Instrument Test Drive Night." This is an evening event that is a three way conversation between student, parent and band director. This is where all information will be laid out so the best decision can be made for all three parties involved.
Student Part:
The students will have the opportunity to try all the instruments out for themselves. Our cafeteria and multi-purpose room will be used to set up stations with each instrument, an Advanced Band member who will assist the professional music teacher who will run the station. The teacher will show the student the basics of how to produce a sound on the instrument and how to hold it. Teachers at each station will notate things for the band director to help guide the student to the best fit instrument. This gives the student a real-life experience with the instrument to help them make their decision. Students will pick their top three at the end of the event. They will have "The form" that will be filled out by the student, teachers, parent and band director at the end of the night.
Parent Part:
During the "Instrument test drive night" and once the student has decided which instruments they are interested in they will notate those three on "the form". Parents will then receive a packet that explains the student's choices and what the responsibilities will be for the parent/student. This will include any materials needed for maintenance of the instrument, if a rental is needed (usually is NOT needed, we have a large inventory to use for FREE), any upfront or recurring financial obligations that come with the instrument, etc. The goal of the packet is to make sure the parent knows exactly what will come with that instrument. Different instruments have different circumstances attached to them, which makes it easier for parents to find what works best for them on their end of the deal.
This provides parent/student time to discuss anything prior to talking to the band director. If changes need to be made to the student's top three, this is the time to do it.
Director Part:
During the "Instrument Test Drive Night" the music teachers assisting the band director will be jotting down notes on each student on any info needed that may affect their success on a particular instrument. Many things are to be considered by the director that students and parents are more often than not unaware of. Things like teeth shape, lip shape, finger size, arm size, etc may affect the student's ability to play CERTAIN, not all, instruments. the goal is to pick the instrument that will set them up for success.
Parents will also have one on one time with the band director to ask any questions they may have about the instrument and it's circumstances that go along with it, including finances if applicable. This is also a great time to talk about any health issues a student may have that would help inform instrument selection.
The director will ask on "the form" if they are a biker/walker/bus rider/parent pick up/combo to make sure the instrument size is the right fit for their mode of transportation.
The director, student and parent will make sure everything on "the form" is good to go. Once all students have turned in their forms, the director will look at the information and start selecting instruments for the students. Once selection is done, more information will be given to parents on their next steps.
No. The two biggest medical issues that come up most frequently in band are kids with braces or kids with asthma. Trust in us, there is an instrument for everyone! During the instrument selection process there will be an opportunity for parents/students to notify the band director of any health issues they think may be a challenge to them. We'll discuss these and from there select the best instrument for their situation. PCMS Band has never turned a student away due to a health related issue.
AWESOME! We'll talk about your instrument and your experience during the first few days of class and go from there. You can stay on the instrument you play now, you can switch...there will be a few options for you and we'll get you in the right place. :)
We are no longer in the days where students can pick "one and only one" thing to do or thing to be. For most PCMS students, they have room in their daily class schedule for two electives. The exception to this are students who are scheduled into intensive reading or intensive math, which is based off of FSA scores from the previous school year. (And even sometimes we can still work to get an elective in their schedule.) PCMS students can do band and something else with no problems, no conflicts, no worries! Beginning band also does not take up after school time other than a few days in December and May, so band students are ENCOURAGED to be as active in after school activities as possible! Band kids are actually the most active students in all of the electives and clubs PCMS has to offer.
PCMS Band has had members who are officers and members in our National Junior Honor Society, Student Government Association, Builders Club, S.W.A.T, Drama Club, Art class and art clubs, Spanish class, CHORUS, Environmental Club, Boys and Girls Club, ALL SPORTS...and I mean ALL OF THEM either through PCMS or community run sports, Dance, Girl/Boy Scouts...you name it. Band will not keep you from being active in other groups.
Chorus specific: Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Marshall work together throughout the year to make sure none of the music events or rehearsals conflict with one another. Students who choose to be in band and chorus will definitely be taken care of and will not have to worry about conflicts of any kind.