5th Grade Band

WELCOME TO 5TH GRADE BAND!!!!!

This is a very exciting time as your student has the opportunity to learn to play a band instrument. They are starting to explore their creative sides, learn new skills, and develop positive habits that will prepare them for their futures, plus they get to do it with their friends. 


 

Some important facts to consider:

➢ Students with band experience attend college at a rate twice the national average.
- Bands Across the USA.

➢ Music students out-perform non-music on achievement tests in reading and math. Skills such as reading, anticipating, memory, listening, forecasting, recall, and concentration are developed in musical performance.  These skills are valuable to students in math, reading, and science classes.
- B. Friedman, “An Evaluation of the Achievement in Reading and Arithmetic of Pupils in Elementary School Instrumental Music Classes,” Dissertation Abstracts International.

Lessons and Class Meeting Times

Band meets three times a week from 2:45 to 3:15 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.  Students meet individually for a lesson once a week for twenty minutes.  In class and lessons, we cover the basics of good tone production, proper posture, embouchure formation, pitch and rhythm fundamentals.  Band lessons and class times are an important step in your student’s success.  This is a very important time, so please make sure your student brings their instrument and music each week and is consistently practicing so they don't fall behind, get frustrated and want to quit.


 

What to bring to class or lessons:

Students will need the following:

·         Instruments

·         Music books and other music handed out

·         Pencil & eraser

·         Supplies for your instrument:  reeds, oil, sticks, mallets

·         Willingness to work as part of a group

·         Be in seat promptly with all supplies when class begins

Practice

It is very crucial to the success of every student and the overall band, that each student has a consistent practice time daily.  I recommend they practice a minimum of 15 minutes every day.  Individual practice is an essential part of musical growth and development.  Every year I have students who don't practice or are not encouraged to practice so they end up falling far behind and hating band. This can all be avoided by setting up a consistent weekly practice schedule and making sure your student is putting in the time.  Have them play for you occasionally and if possible, perform little concerts for you and your family.  This is great positive reinforcement and a great step in the learning process.   Please encourage your students to practice each week and they will love what they will be able to accomplish. If you have questions or see problems, let me know right away so we can make positive changes together.
 

Performances
 

5th grade band members will have 3 required performances.  A performing group cannot develop the necessary teamwork even if a small number of people are missing.  Please Plan Ahead to Be At All Three of the Following Performances!!  Excused absences from public performances will be granted in cases of genuine emergency only.

Performance dates for the 2009-2010 school year are as follows:

·         December 10^th, 2009 at 7:00 PM for the Winter Concert

·         April 17^th, 2010 at Redfield Elementary Music Contest

·         May 3^rd, 2010 at 7:00 PM for the Spring Concert

Concerts

Students are expected to be in dress clothes, stay for the entire concert, and are responsible for their behavior during the entire time.  Please wear the nicest clothes you have to the concert. You are representing yourself, parents, your director, and your school. If you look nice, you will feel good about yourself and will perform better.  NO blue jeans, t-shirts or tennis shoes please.  Skirts and dresses should be knee length or below.

Instrument Storage

Instruments may be checked into the band room before school starts. Instruments must be placed on the shelves and not on the floor or outside the door where they can get picked up by someone else.  Students need to have their cases labeled with name, phone number, and address at all times.  It is recommended that students keep instruments in their regular shelf when possible. 


 

Band is a great experience!!! There are many benefits and rewards for band members. I look forward to working with your child this year and in the years to come!!!!

* The 5th Grade Band is looking for players of the following instruments: clarinet & trombone.

              Recommended Instrument Manufacturers

* The following are acceptable brands of instruments.  The following brands are recommended because they are well crafted, good sounding instruments that require fewer repairs.  Clarinet and Saxophone players should get the upgraded mouthpiece that's available at Taylor Music.

Flute – Yamaha, Gemeinhardt, Emerson, Jupiter, Bundy, Selmer, Armstrong

Clarinet – Yamaha, Selmer, Bundy, Buffet

Saxophone – Yamaha, Selmer, Conn, Bundy

Trumpet – Yamaha, Getzen, Holton, Bach, Bundy, Olds, Blessing

Trombone – Yamaha, Getzen, Bach, Olds, King, Blessing

Percussion – Yamaha, Pearl, Ludwig

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