LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN!LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN!

What is BAND? A class where you learn how to A class where you learn how to

play an instrument, basic play an instrument, basic elements of music, discipline, elements of music, discipline, commitment, and responsibility, commitment, and responsibility, and put all of the skills together and put all of the skills together by performing music!by performing music!

Students can be in band and Students can be in band and chorus, (or orchestra and chorus, (or orchestra and chorus), but not band and chorus), but not band and orchestra. orchestra.

Band in our school consists of 2 parts:

LESSONS LESSONS Students are grouped by instrumentStudents are grouped by instrument Lessons are ½ hour long (1 time per week)Lessons are ½ hour long (1 time per week) Students learnStudents learn

How to create sounds/notes on their How to create sounds/notes on their individual instrumentsindividual instruments

Basic music concepts and how to apply Basic music concepts and how to apply them to their instrumentthem to their instrument

FULL GROUP REHEARSALSFULL GROUP REHEARSALS

What, where, when, how:What, where, when, how: Afterschool on your band day (from 2-3:00pm, or 2:10-Afterschool on your band day (from 2-3:00pm, or 2:10-

3:10pm)3:10pm)• Parents need to arrange for transportation for you.Parents need to arrange for transportation for you.

Takes place in the gym or cafeteriaTakes place in the gym or cafeteria Apply knowledge learned in small group lessons to a Apply knowledge learned in small group lessons to a

large group experience. large group experience.

Students learnStudents learn Broad music concepts such as rhythmBroad music concepts such as rhythm How to work and play together as a team- volume How to work and play together as a team- volume

control, listening, blending, synchronizingcontrol, listening, blending, synchronizing

2 evening concerts at 2 evening concerts at our school for parents:our school for parents: DecemberDecember MayMay

Usually an assembly Usually an assembly for the school to share for the school to share our progress.our progress.

District Band District Band Festival (in April):Festival (in April): a concert at the highschool a concert at the highschool

where where all students who all students who play instruments in bandplay instruments in band in District 200 come in District 200 come together to share music they together to share music they are working on. are working on.

Some of the great things about being in band….

You are part of a team where “nobody sits the bench”

You can discover new talents and interests that you didn’t know you hadYou get to perform in public concerts throughout the year

You can help yourself get scholarships to college- colleges!

colleges look very highly upon people who choose to participate in this activity, and stick with it through high school!

You get the opportunity to take trips and meet new people

You can compete for medals and awards, both as a group and as an individual

….BUT MOST OF ALL…

You can learn more about music, and You can learn more about music, and have a lot of fun in the process.have a lot of fun in the process.

Instrument choices for 5th grade band

WoodwindsWoodwinds FluteFlute ClarinetClarinet Alto SaxophoneAlto Saxophone

BrassBrass TrumpetTrumpet TromboneTrombone BaritoneBaritone

PercussionPercussion Snare kit and bells (together!)Snare kit and bells (together!)

Depending on the size of the band, and the Depending on the size of the band, and the abilities of the individuals, some students abilities of the individuals, some students might have the opportunity to try the oboe might have the opportunity to try the oboe and french horn and french horn (at the teacher’s discression).(at the teacher’s discression).

Discuss it with your parent(s), and return Discuss it with your parent(s), and return the registration form on the back of your the registration form on the back of your Band Handbook as soon as possible.Band Handbook as soon as possible.

You will then begin trying the instruments You will then begin trying the instruments to discover what you might be good at (only to discover what you might be good at (only students who sign up for band will try the students who sign up for band will try the instruments).instruments).

How do I sign up for band?

After trying all of the instruments for After trying all of the instruments for yourself, you will need to select your top yourself, you will need to select your top 22 favorites. Mrs. Schweihs will talk with you favorites. Mrs. Schweihs will talk with you quickly about which might be the best fit quickly about which might be the best fit for you.for you.based on your trial experiences (natural abilities), your based on your trial experiences (natural abilities), your

aptitude test, the needs of the group, and your personal aptitude test, the needs of the group, and your personal interests.interests.

THE ONLY THING LEFT TO DO IS….

YOUR PARENTS WILL NEED TO DO THIS!YOUR PARENTS WILL NEED TO DO THIS!Purchase (new or used)Purchase (new or used)

Borrow (friend, family member)Borrow (friend, family member)

Rent (parents sign up for a meeting time to rent one for you)Rent (parents sign up for a meeting time to rent one for you)

Paying a little each month as long as they want you to Paying a little each month as long as they want you to have the instrumenthave the instrument

Their first payment will cover all of your costs through Their first payment will cover all of your costs through January! All kids also need a book, and possibly January! All kids also need a book, and possibly reeds/grease (depending on the instrument), percussion reeds/grease (depending on the instrument), percussion also needs to buy a small set of beginner bells.also needs to buy a small set of beginner bells.

All information is in the Band Handbook for your parents to All information is in the Band Handbook for your parents to go over.go over.

WHEN DO WE START??

INSTRUMENT LESSONSINSTRUMENT LESSONS begin in begin in OctoberOctober, , after we have gone through the orientation process, after we have gone through the orientation process, your instrument has been selected, and your parents your instrument has been selected, and your parents found an instrument for you!found an instrument for you!

AFTERSCHOOL BANDAFTERSCHOOL BAND (all of us together) (all of us together) begins the first week of November, on your band begins the first week of November, on your band day.day.

Sign up for band!!!

You won’t regret it!