There is a lot of information on this one page, but your answer is probably here if it is about Beginning Band!
Click Here for Instrumental Music Lesson Schedule Online
Student Resources
Table of Contents
FILE DOWNLOADS
Beginning Band Registration Information
Parents' Guide to Instrumental Music
Lesson Schedule & Groups
Home Practice Log
OVERVIEW
Commitment
All students are asked to make a minimum one-year commitment to their instrument of choice. Only if for some physical reason, you or I feel that your child is having difficulty in succeeding on the instrument, I will be receptive to changing instruments.
Since I began directing the program in Granby, 40-45% of the 4th grade students have enrolled in Beginning Band. We are very proud of this high participation rate compared to national average of 20-25%. In addition, more than 90% of beginners have successfully completed the first year and the retention rate for students joining the Junior High Band after 6th grade has been above 90%.
In the event you come to the conclusion that your child will not be continuing with the instrumental music program, please speak with Mr. Williams before committing to that decision.
Lessons
All students are scheduled for a rotating half-hour pullout lesson each week during the school day between 8:30 and 11:00a. Each student is asked to bring his/her instrument, lesson book, and a working pencil to their lesson. If the student does forget, and no one is able to bring them to school in time, the student is still expected to come to the lesson. When a student does miss a lesson, the student should continue practicing the previously assigned lessons. All students must make up all classroom work missed during the half-hour lesson. This has usually not been a problem in the past.
The first lesson will be longer than a half-hour for some instrument groups. This is necessary to help the student get started properly.
Rehearsals
On the first Tuesday or Thursday of February, the beginning instrumental students begin their band ensemble experience with rehearsals before school on both Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 7:45am (they should arrive between 7:30a and 7:40a to be ready to start). These rehearsals are required along with the weekly scheduled lesson. Students may be dropped off or may ride the high school bus which will drop them off at East Meadow.
Band Concerts
The Beginning Band students will have an open rehearsal for parents on the first day of Beginning Band in February. Dress for this is regular school clothes.
The Beginning Band will have a demonstration at the end of the East Meadow Open House, usually scheduled for April. Dress for this event is regular school clothes.
The only formal concert this year for Beginning Band is scheduled for the last Wednesday of May at 7:00pm at the East Meadow Stage. All instrumental students are expected to perform and concert dress is expected – start planning now. Concert dress is Semi-Formal: boys: dress shoes and socks, slacks, and shirt (tie is optional) – Girls: dress, skirt and blouse, or slacks and blouse with dress shoes and socks or hose. Please no athletic sneakers, jeans, t-shirts, sweatshirts, etc. This is an important and special occasion in the students’ lives.
End of the Year Music Celebration
The beginning band, advanced band and chorus students will have an after-school celebration on the last Thursday of May sponsored by the Granby Music Parents’ Association.
PRACTICE (Homework)
How much should someone practice?
Every child and family is different in what is "needed" to be successful with a band assignment, just as different students take different amounts of time to complete the same classroom homework assignment. The real key is to develop a routine weekly practice schedule that balances all the student's commitments.
The total weekly practice time as a beginner should not be less than 15 minutes on at least four days to start. By December, this amount should increase to 30 minutes.
All students will succeed when they follow this daily practice schedule. Parents need to help their children meet this practice commitment. Practicing is the same as homework – it reinforces and solidifies concepts and materials presented during weekly lessons and band rehearsals. Students will receive a Home Practice Log to track their assignments, lesson days, and personal practice time.
REGISTRATION NIGHT INFORMATION
1. Families should attend this meeting whether they already have an instrument or plan to rent. The initial informational portion will be less than 30 minutes, at which time families who already have instruments are welcome to depart.
2. Families renting an instrument must first see me to register (parent and student) for your instrument of choice. Sometimes there are physical considerations and instrument limitations that I feel should be discussed prior to finalizing your choice.
3. Proceed to the Gerry’s Music Shop tables to arrange for the instrument that you and I have agreed upon and the corresponding lesson book. The purchase of a music stand is also recommended and is sold at registration at a discounted price.
Rental Instruments
Rented instruments will be delivered to me, as students should not attempt to play their instruments prior to their first lesson. Some instruments can be easily damaged and bad playing habits can be developed very quickly. Students will receive their rental instruments during their first lesson.
Owned Instruments
If you have an old instrument, especially a woodwind instrument that has been sitting around for a number of years, chances are it will not play properly without some repairs. Sometimes a woodwind instrument will play fine for a few days until the felt pads fail and then students have an instrument that no longer plays properly. I strongly recommend that you rent an instrument until your instrument can be evaluated for reconditioning. It is much easier for a beginner to start on a properly working instrument and, due to the large repair/reconditioning load in September/October, repair shops may not be able to have your instrument ready in time for lessons. ALL STUDENTS MUST HAVE AN INSTRUMENT FOR THEIR FIRST LESSON THE LAST WEEK OF SEPTEMBER. If you do use your own instrument, you will still need to purchase a method book - Standard of Excellence, Book 1 – Enhanced Version.
What Instrument Should I Play
The beginning band instruments are: flute, oboe (limited), clarinet, alto saxophone (limited), tenor saxophone (limited), trumpet, horn, trombone, baritone horn, and percussion [total percussion: bell kit with snare drum] (limited). It is extremely important that we achieve a proper balance of instrumentation, so please have a minimum of 3 choices of instruments. We need a lot of clarinets, trumpets, horns, trombones and baritones. Often too many students sign up for flute, saxophone and percussion – and honestly too many do not continue. Those who select horn, trombone, and baritone are in smaller lesson groups and tend to still be playing years later. Therefore we must limit the number of students beginning on these other instruments. Remember that all instruments provide the opportunity for musical experience, growth and fun!
A special note regarding oboe and horn: These two wind instruments are especially excellent choices for students who enjoy singing and welcome a special challenge. Some piano experience is also a great advantage, but is not mandatory.
A special note regarding percussion: Total Percussion is the most demanding instrument as student must learn both pitched (bells/xylophone) and non-pitched (snare, bass drum, cymbals, etc.) percussion instruments. Some piano experience is also a great advantage for pitched percussion, but is not mandatory.
FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES
The Granby Public Schools have an outstanding band program, and it all begins at East Meadow Elementary School. The concert bands are the core of the band program. It meets at East Meadow School before the school day and in the Junior Senior High School during the school day. In the Junior Senior High School, band students have the opportunity to participate in the Jazz Ensemble, Basketball Pep Band, Solo and Ensemble Contests, Concert Band Adjudications, and the District and All-State Festivals for Band, Orchestra, and Jazz Ensemble. In March 2009 the Junior High Band traveled to Washington, D.C. to give a national music conference presentation with Mr. Williams. This wonderful future is waiting for you when you join the beginning band program!
FAQs
Does my child have to read music to join Beginning Band?
Students are NOT expected to already be able to read music notation to join the band.
Does my child have to already play an instrument to join Beginning Band?
Students are NOT expected to already be able to play an instrument to join the band.
What year in school should my child start Beginning Band?
In the Granby Public Schools, band instruction begins in the 4th grade. Experience says that starting "late" is a significant disadvantage that is best overcome by acquiring a private instructor in addition to the regular instrumental lesson instruction. Parents should be aware that band is a progressive and sequential course of instruction - much like mathematics or foreign language. Students that start in the 5th grade are a year behind in instruction and typically don't do as well.
Going to a new school seems to be such a significant adjustment for a 4th grader. Wouldn't it be better to wait until 5th grade to start band?
We have found that being able to have a positive peer group (like the band) to identify with from the beginning of the East Meadow School years is one of the best ways to make the change easily. Band provides an instant peer group that is focused in and on a positive activity. Band students on the average are some of the most successful students in the school.
How do I get an instrument for my child?
Gerry’s Music Shop of South Hadley services the Granby Music Program with weekly visits to Mr. Williams. That store is where the director recommends that parents go to get an instrument. Parents can shop where ever they would like, this is just a recommended store that serves the school.
How often do band classes meet and when?
Instrumental Lessons meet weekly at East Meadow for 30 minutes. Students are dismissed from their scheduled class to attend lessons and are responsible for making up all missed assignments and tests. Lesson times rotate weekly so that the same class is not missed weekly.
Beginning Band rehearsals meet twice a week, Tuesday and Thursday, from February through May for 30 minutes. These rehearsals take place before school. Students are asked to arrive between 7:30 and 7:40am in order to be ready to begin rehearsal on stage by 7:45am.
How many performances do Beginner Band students have in one year?
Typically two: "A Performance Demonstration" at the April Open House and a Spring Concert in May or June.
Do I need to get a private teacher for my child?
No, but it is VERY beneficial and HIGHLY recommended – especially after sixth grade! Some students take summer lessons to maintain the skills they have developed during the school year. Please feel free to discuss lessons with me.
Can my child try band and quit if he/she doesn't like it?
Enrollment in Beginning Band Class is intended to be a year-long commitment. Changing schedules after enrollment causes problems in the school schedule and in band instrumentation balance. Recently, between 40% and 45% of the fourth grade student body has enrolled in the beginning band. There is a lot that is enticing about being in the band for the students. The East Meadow Bands feed into the Junior High Band, which feeds into the Granby High Band. The Granby High Band presents at least three concerts a year, performs at a UMass Football game annually as a part of a 3,000 member band called Band Day, marches in the Granby Memorial Day Parade, and also offers opportunities to join the Jazz Ensemble or Basketball Pep Band - so students have something very exciting to look forward to. Recently, 90% of beginners have successfully completed the first year and the retention rate for students joining the Junior High Band after 6th grade has been 96%. These are very high figures compared with national averages and we are very proud of them in the Granby Band Program.
GMPA Newsletter - September 2008.pdf
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