Incoming Student/Parent Information
WELCOME to the Lowell Middle School band program! I am very excited to work with our incoming sixth grade band members! We strongly encourage all sixth graders to join band and try learning an instrument. And for 2021-2022, we have a beginning band class opportunity for any 7th or 8th grader who didn't join band for any reason during 6th grade. Don't miss out on this opportunity!
Here is a run-down of what has happened so far and what you and your students need to know as you prepare to get started in the fall.
INSTRUMENT FITTINGS took place for all 5th graders, as well as 6th graders not already in band or orchestra, last spring. At that time your student had the opportunity to try several band instruments and was given a recommendation as to what instrument might work well for them to play. This information came home to you on a band/orchestra registration sheet. If your student missed the fittings, please contact me. We can set up a time to meet at the middle school and I will help them try some instruments to see what will work best!
REGISTRATIONS ACCEPTED - You can register your student online by clicking here for the online registration form. Students can also turn in their paper registration form at their elementary building - online or paper will get you student registered! There was a deadline last spring, but if you missed that deadline, simply contact me. While it is helpful for us to get a list together early, we recognize that sometimes kids make a decision later or sometimes family situations change, and we don't want to deny ANY child the opportunity for music education! Please do let me know as soon as you can if your child would like to join band as a beginner.
GETTING AN INSTRUMENT: Once your student is signed up for band, you will want to look into getting an instrument. You can buy one, rent-to-own through the local music stores, or depending on the instrument, we do have some school instruments available very inexpensively for loan. See the documents below for details. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND waiting to get the instrument until just before school starts. We start from scratch at the beginning of the year and if the instrument is sitting around the house all summer, it will be VERY tempting for your student to experiment, potentially leading to bad habits and even broken instruments, simply because they won't have the proper guidance. If finances are tough, please contact me regarding ways to find an instrument for your child to play. We don't want ANY child excluded for financial reasons! Please look for a letter in early August with more details. I will be at Meet-the-Teacher on August 18 from 3-6 PM and can answer questions at that time.
HOW BEGINNING BAND WORKS: Band will be one of your student's exploratory classes. It meets every day for the full year and is graded. Students are typically expected to practice their instrument at home 10-15 minutes each night as a part of their grade. Aside from about three evening performances that are scheduled during the year, there is no other out-of-school commitment. Band does not interfere with sports or other outside activities! In fact, many of our best students study music and participate in extra-curriculars too - this helps them become well-rounded people. Take advantage of this great opportunity! And check out the links here for great information about why music education is important for every child!
Here is a run-down of what has happened so far and what you and your students need to know as you prepare to get started in the fall.
INSTRUMENT FITTINGS took place for all 5th graders, as well as 6th graders not already in band or orchestra, last spring. At that time your student had the opportunity to try several band instruments and was given a recommendation as to what instrument might work well for them to play. This information came home to you on a band/orchestra registration sheet. If your student missed the fittings, please contact me. We can set up a time to meet at the middle school and I will help them try some instruments to see what will work best!
REGISTRATIONS ACCEPTED - You can register your student online by clicking here for the online registration form. Students can also turn in their paper registration form at their elementary building - online or paper will get you student registered! There was a deadline last spring, but if you missed that deadline, simply contact me. While it is helpful for us to get a list together early, we recognize that sometimes kids make a decision later or sometimes family situations change, and we don't want to deny ANY child the opportunity for music education! Please do let me know as soon as you can if your child would like to join band as a beginner.
GETTING AN INSTRUMENT: Once your student is signed up for band, you will want to look into getting an instrument. You can buy one, rent-to-own through the local music stores, or depending on the instrument, we do have some school instruments available very inexpensively for loan. See the documents below for details. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND waiting to get the instrument until just before school starts. We start from scratch at the beginning of the year and if the instrument is sitting around the house all summer, it will be VERY tempting for your student to experiment, potentially leading to bad habits and even broken instruments, simply because they won't have the proper guidance. If finances are tough, please contact me regarding ways to find an instrument for your child to play. We don't want ANY child excluded for financial reasons! Please look for a letter in early August with more details. I will be at Meet-the-Teacher on August 18 from 3-6 PM and can answer questions at that time.
HOW BEGINNING BAND WORKS: Band will be one of your student's exploratory classes. It meets every day for the full year and is graded. Students are typically expected to practice their instrument at home 10-15 minutes each night as a part of their grade. Aside from about three evening performances that are scheduled during the year, there is no other out-of-school commitment. Band does not interfere with sports or other outside activities! In fact, many of our best students study music and participate in extra-curriculars too - this helps them become well-rounded people. Take advantage of this great opportunity! And check out the links here for great information about why music education is important for every child!
1._instrument_rental_info.doc | |
File Size: | 27 kb |
File Type: | doc |
2._recommended_brands.doc | |
File Size: | 29 kb |
File Type: | doc |
3._off-brand_instrument_hazards.doc | |
File Size: | 27 kb |
File Type: | doc |