Beginning Band
Materials Needed:
Everyone: Standard of Excellence Book 1, Music Stand
Woodwind Players: 1 Box of Reeds (cleaning kit recommended)
Brass Players: Valve Oil (cleaning kit recommended)
Grading
10% - Playing Quizzes
20% - Practice Sheets
70% - Classwork
Weekly Schedule
Woodwinds – Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Brass & Percussion – Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
*This schedule will change part way through the year as students advance and are ready to add another full band day – information will be sent home prior to this change taking place
Practice
Practice is the key to your student’s success in band. Please help your child find a place in the home that can serve as their designated “practice area”. Also, work with your child to set up a practice schedule. Students who have a practice routine in place tend to be much more successful than those who do not.
Practice Sheets
Beginning band students are required a minimum of 100 minutes of practice each week. This time is best used when divided into five 20 minute practice sessions throughout the week. Your student will receive a practice sheet that is to be filled out throughout the month. Practice sheets are due every Friday and will not be accepted without a parent signature.
Concerts
Beginning band students will perform in two concerts this year:
Holiday Concert – Thursday, December 14th – 6:00pm in the High School Cafetorium
Spring Concert – Thursday, May 31st – 6:30pm in the High School Cafetorium
Quitting band/changing instruments
Band is a new and exciting experience for 5th graders, an opportunity for them to explore whether or not music is “their thing”. Please be aware that students may lose some enthusiasm for band during the months of January and March. At this point in the year the newness has worn off and the realization that “this is hard work!” sets in. You may hear your child begin talking about quitting or wanting to change instruments, when this time comes please encourage your child to remain in band for the remainder of the year. Most often this is just a phase and the student at the end of the year is thankful that they continued on. If your student expresses a desire to change instruments, please contact me prior to making this change. Students are strongly encouraged to remain on their instrument for at least a year, but may change if circumstances call for it.
Contact Information
Band Director: Ms. Jaymi Yettaw
Phone: 529-2350 ext 2321
Email:
Website:
I look forward to beginning this musical journey with you and your child!