Band Basics

Supplies needed for band:

Equipment:

Instrument in good working order.
Mouthpiece--Students using school owned instruments have their own mouthpieces supplied by school, but students are encouraged to purchase their own mouthpiece.
Reeds for clarinets and saxes. Select the hardness of reed according to your playing ability. 7th and 8th grade clarinets should be using at least #3. The school does not sell supplies. Any of the local music stores sell reeds. Please buy reeds by the box so you will have a good reed available at all times.
Valve oil and slide oil for brass instruments.

Books:

Planner and pencil.
6th Grade- "Standard of Excellence, Enhanced" ,book 1 and "First Performances"
7th Grade- "Standard of Excellence,Enhanced", book 2 and "Bach & Before for Band". These will be available for purchase at the beginning of the school year.
8th Grade- "Standard of Excellence,Enhanced", book 3 and "Bach & Before for Band". These will be available for purchase at the beginning of the school year.
7th and 8th Grade Bands- Plastic page protectors. The band will provide the folder. Metal ring binders will not be allowed.

CONCERTS

Concerts are an important part of the band experience. Scheduled concerts include:

Halloween concert for 6th grade band
Christmas concert for all bands
Spring concert for all bands

6th graders can wear their Halloween costume to the concert but it is not required. Concert attire for the remaining concerts are white shirts and dark pants or skirts.

"I just love to practice"

Practice, Practice, Practice

Practice is extremely important if a student is going to play an instrument well. Students need to spend time with their instruments at home, slowly reviewing material that is introduced in class. A minimum of 75 minutes per week is suggested. It would be great if students would practice 30 minutes a day.

6th and 7th grade students received 2 CDs with the method book. Please install iPas on your computer and practice along with it. It is a great resource. It will show you if you are playing the correct notes, intonation and also shows fingerings while you play.