Memorial Middle School 2017 Beginner Band Information Eric Schaefer, Music Director Email: eschaefer@wpschools.org Beginner Band is an extra-curricular class for 5 th and 6 th grade students with no prior band experience. It is held every Thursday after school. Band members will learn how to read music, play a band instrument of their choice and perform in two concerts. If you are interested in joining Beginner Band, please look over this information packet and share it with your parents/guardian. If you decide to join, fill out the sign-up sheet at the end of this packet and submit it to Mr. Schaefer no later than Thursday, September 22 nd. There will be a short meeting for anyone interested in joining Beginner Band on Thursday, September 14 th from 2:55 to 3:20 in the gymnasium. During the meeting, 5 th graders will have the opportunity to ask questions, see and hear the instruments up close, hold them in a playing position, and speak to band members in older grades. Parents are welcome to attend this meeting. Rehearsal Schedule: Beginner Band members will have a rehearsal and lesson every week: Rehearsals take place every Thursday after school from 2:55 to 3:30 20-minute group lessons are every week during school in the music office (students are excused from part of class or lunch). Rehearsals will not be held on half-days. Band members are expected to be at all rehearsals and lessons unless a note or email from a parent is sent to Mr. Schaefer. Unexcused absences will result in a lower band grade. It is important that all students are picked up after rehearsals no later than 3:45. If you are unable to pick up your child by that time, please arrange for another band parent to pick them up. If your child will be walking home from school after chorus rehearsals, please let me know by email or written note before the first rehearsal. The first rehearsal will be held on Thursday, September 21 st.
Concert Dates: Beginner Band members will perform in two mandatory concerts this school year. Please mark these dates on your calendar: The Holiday Concert will be held on Wednesday, December 20 th at 7:00 in the Gymnasium. The Spring Concert will be held on Wednesday, May 9 th, 2018 at 7:00 in the Gymnasium. At the end of the school year, Beginner Band students also have the option to join Graduation Band, which performs during the eighth grade graduation ceremony at PVHS. Which instruments can I play? You may choose to play one of several instruments in Beginner Band. Read through the instruments listed on the next few pages, and begin to think about which one you would like to play. Instrument sign-ups will begin on Monday, September 18 th. A sign-up sheet will be posted after school on the music bulletin board outside of the gym. Sign-ups will be run on a first-come basis. In order to have a balanced band, there will be a limit to how many instruments there are in each section. Flute: The flute is one of the oldest man-made musical instruments. It is usually a silver color, and is played by holding parallel to the ground and blowing air over the lip plate. While blowing, a flute player covers and uncovers holes with their fingers to change the pitch. The flute had an airy, delicate sound. Clarinet: The clarinet is made out of either wood or plastic. It is played by blowing into the mouthpiece. As the clarinet play blows, the reed (small, thin piece of wood) vibrates against the mouthpiece to create the sound. While blowing, a clarinet player covers and uncovers holes with their fingers to change the pitch. The clarinet has a warm, innocent sound. Alto Saxophone: The alto saxophone is made out of metal and is usually a brass color. The saxophone is used frequently in jazz. It is played by blowing into the mouthpiece. An alto saxophone needs reeds (small, thin pieces of wood) in order to make a sound. While blowing, a saxophone player presses and releases keys to change the pitch. The alto saxophone is smaller than the tenor saxophone. It has a raspy, smoky sound.
Trumpet: The trumpet is made out of metal and is usually a brass color. The trumpet is held up in front of the players head, with the mouthpiece on the player s mouth. A trumpet player s lips vibrate into the mouthpiece to create the sound. While blowing, a trumpet player presses and releases three valves to change the pitch. The trumpet has a bright, majestic sound. Trombone: The trombone is made out of metal and is usually a brass color. The trombone is played with the instrument held high in front of the mouth. The sound is made when the player blows into the mouthpiece. A trombone player s lips vibrate into the mouthpiece to create the sound. The trombone has no buttons or valves, but changes pitch by changing the position of a slide. The trombone has a strong, but mellow sound. Baritone: The baritone is made out of metal and is usually a brass or silver color. The baritone is played with the instrument against the chest, with the mouthpiece over the mouth. It looks and plays like a miniature tuba. The sound is made when the player blows into the mouthpiece. A baritone player s lips vibrate into the mouthpiece. While blowing, a baritone player presses on valves to change the pitch. The baritone has a strong, deep sound. Percussion:
Percussion instruments make their noise when a player strikes them, making them the only group in band that doesn t blow into their instruments. Percussion players in beginner band will learn how to play the snare drum, bass drum, tambourine, and mallet instruments (xylophone, glockenspiel). Instrument Rentals: Your child will need an instrument, which can be rented from any of the local music stores listed below. I strongly encourage beginning students to rent an instrument rather than purchase. Please contact me if you wish to purchase an instrument so that I may give you a few recommendations. If you plan on using an instrument that has been previously used by a family member or friend, please take the instrument to a music store to be checked by qualified repair technician. Students must have their instruments by the second rehearsal on Thursday, September 28. Please do not let your child play their instrument before this date, as they can develop bad habits or possibly damage the instrument. The following items listed are the supplies for each instrument. These supplies are not always included with the rental, so you may need to acquire them separately. All instruments: Flutes: Clarinets: Saxophones: Trumpets: Trombones: Baritones: Percussion: Name tag on case, pencil for inside of case, Standard of Excellence Book 1 for your instrument (may be bought from Mr. Schaefer, music store, or online) Cleaning rod, small cleaning swab Cleaning swab, at least 3 reeds (#2 strength- Vandoren preferred) cork grease. Note- students will typically use 2-4 reeds per month when beginning Swab, at least 3 reeds (#1 ½ strength- Vandoren preferred), cork grease. Note- students will typically use 2-4 reeds per month when beginning Valve oil, slide grease Slide oil, tuning slide grease Valve oil, slide grease 2B snare drum sticks, snare drum kit Instruments can be rented or purchased at the following local music stores or other locations: (Recommended) Music & Arts Rutherford Music Exchange Plaza Square 39 Park Ave. 661 Hamburg Turnpike Rutherford, NJ Wayne, NJ (201) 933-8683 (973) 956-0630 Rutherfordmusic.com stores.musicarts.com/wayne
What will I need to bring to rehearsals? Your instrument (the first rehearsal will be without instruments) Instrument accessories (valve oil, cork grease, extra reeds, etc.) Standard of Excellence music book, folder, and other music given out Pencil (very important!) It is important to come prepared to every rehearsal. Forgetting to bring music, books or pencils wastes time that should be spent on rehearsing and learning music. Please remember to bring a pencil each week; you will often need to write notes and markings in your music. Practice Schedules: Practicing at home is very important. Students will receive a practice schedule to keep track of routines and time spent on practicing at home. When beginning on an instrument, it is very important that students practice their instruments for at least a few minutes almost every day. Grading Policy: Although it is partially after school, Beginner Band is a class and students will receive a grade on their report cards. Grades will be based on these four areas: 40%: Attitude, effort, and class participation Students who demonstrate a positive attitude, show good effort and participate in discussions and lessons will receive full credit in this category. 20%: Practice time In order to play their instruments well, Band members must spend some time practicing at home. Students are expected to play for at least fifteen minutes six times a week. Parents will fill out practice sheets that will be collected and checked off at the end of each marking period. 20%: Playing technique Each student will receive a grade three times per marking period for correct posture, hand position, embouchure/stick grip, and knowledge of correct fingerings. These are the performance skills that we develop in class and should be reinforced through proper practice at home. 20%: Class Preparation Attendance and preparation are very important. Attendance includes getting to band rehearsals on time with music, instrument, and pencil.
For Parents: Why should my child participate in band? The benefits a child will reap through participation in instrumental music programs are tremendous! The development of musical skills and the ability to play an instrument are two of the most obvious. You and your child will be investing time and money in skills that will last a lifetime. Nearly everyone, regardless of age or physical condition, can enjoy playing a musical instrument alone or with a wide variety of groups over the course of a lifetime. Although the musical benefits of participation in band are enormous, the nonmusical benefits are nearly as exciting, and certainly important. Here are just a few non-musical ways in which your child will grow through participation in band: Teamwork and Cooperation: In band, it is very important for each member to give their all 100% of the time. There is never one person who is more important than any other; no one sits on the bench in band. Because of this, band becomes a great place to teach students how to work together and depend on one another. Opportunity for Success: When involved in band, every student can feel successful. In a world where not everyone finds success in every activity, it is important to realize that everyone can succeed in music at his or her own level. As a music educator, it is my job to help every student succeed. Social Development: Band provides many opportunities for students to interact in ways otherwise not possible in the typical school setting. As students continue their involvement in band programs, activities such as high school marching band, band trips, festivals, and competitions provide avenues for developing leadership and relationship-building skills. Mental Development: Music is an activity that engages both sides of the brain at the same time. Musicians make use of the left (or concrete ) side of their brains when reading music, counting, and following the conductor, while the right (or creative side is used to produce the type of emotional expression that makes music exciting to hear and play. A person who is experienced at processing information in both sides of the brain at the same time will be successful in many areas of everyday living. In addition, countless studies indicate that students who participate in instrumental music tend to be, or become, very successful in other areas of school curriculum, including reading, math, language, and standardized tests.
Ten ways to be a great band parent: 1. Ask your child what he/she did in band today 2. Provide a place in your home and set a time to practice almost every day 3. Check your child s band assignments 4. Encourage your child to play his/her instrument for you 5. Make sure your child has all the necessary supplies: reeds, valve oil, etc. 6. Make sure your child s instrument is in good working condition 7. Look into the possibility of giving your band student private lessons on their instrument 8. Attend all the band concerts 9. Take your child to see bands perform in the high school, community, and professional groups, such as the symphony 10. Listen to music at home Student and Parent Responsibility: When a student chooses to begin band instruction, they choose to make band a part of their school curriculum. Because success in instrumental music is so directly tied to class attendance and home practice, it is important that students and parents realize from the beginning that the choice to participate in band is a commitment. Very few people are able to pick up an instrument for the first time and instantly be successful. We must all work to achieve success, and lack of practice and commitment is a large reason for some students limited success. Parents should also feel some responsibility for their student s choice to enroll in Beginner Band. Without support and encouragement from parents, students may experience difficulty. As a parent, you are a vital part of the success equation ; your attitude toward your child s participation may someday decide his or her success or failure. This statement is not only true of participation in band, but for countless other activities. Thank you in advance for your support and encouragement at home! Eric Schaefer Music Director
Beginner Band Sign-Up form Student Name: Grade: Preferred instrument: I give my child permission to participate in Beginner Band. I am aware of the rehearsal schedule and concert dates. I read the grading policy and I understand that my child needs to be picked up from school no later than 3:45 after a band rehearsal. Parent/Guardian Signature Parent email address: *a frequently checked email address will be used to share changes in rehearsal schedule, newsletters and other communication Home telephone number: Cell phone number (optional): Tear off and return to Mr. Schaefer before Thursday, September 21 st