Welcome to the McAnally Beginner Band!
We are looking forward to a fantastic year of band!!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. WHEN DOES THE BAND CLASS MEET? WHAT INSTRUMENTS ARE STARTED?
Beginning band meets daily at different times throughout the school day for the entire school year. Students are grouped into classes according to what instrument they play. The teacher-pupil ratio is kept low to facilitate individual supervision of student’s progress. Skills develop slowly at first, therefore, students and parents must be patient and committed for the entire school year in order to get the full benefit of band instruction. Beginners are started on Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium (Baritone), Tuba, and Percussion. We will help you choose the instrument that is best for you at our instrument fitting and selection meetings in the Spring.
2. IS ANY PREVIOUS MUSICAL TRAINING NECESSARY?
No. We teach the fundamentals of reading music as well as the fundamentals of playing an instrument from the very beginning with no prior musical experience needed.
3. ARE CERTAIN INSTRUMENTS FOR GIRLS AND OTHERS FOR BOYS?
Definitely NOT! Instrument choices are not based on a student's gender, but rather their desire to play that instrument. Instrument selection is based primarily upon the facial characteristics of the student, and, most importantly, their personal choice.
4. WHEN DO STUDENTS NEED INSTRUMENTS?
Instruments will be needed on the first day of school. Storage for all instruments is provided in the band hall. Please make sure that the case is labeled with your child's name. Don’t wait too long! Most music companies run out of stock in July and it can become difficult to secure an instrument, if you wait too long. We will have a music company attend our instrument fitting and students can secure an instrument once they have selected their instrument for beginning band.
5. SHOULD I RENT OR PURCHASE AN INSTRUMENT?
RENT! Renting an instrument will give your child the opportunity to begin in band with only a small initial investment. Your child can have the advantages of nice instrument, pride of ownership, freedom from error due to poor equipment, and the opportunity to be the best player they can be by having the best available instrument for their age level. Your child will have the instrument and mouthpiece recommended by the band directors. The instrument can be returned to the company at any time without further obligation.
6. WHAT ABOUT BUYING USED INSTRUMENTS?
Some used instruments are good bargains. However, you could possibly end up spending more money on repairs than the instrument is worth. For this reason, we ask that if you do purchase a used instrument, try to let a MMS Band Director examine it prior to purchase. Local music stores and former band students are excellent sources of used instruments. You might see if the music companies have used instruments available. We have found most pawn shop instruments to be of dubious quality. WARNING: The “band instruments” listed in departments store (i.e. Sears, Sam’s), in my personal opinion, are JUNK! They are practically toys. Again, we recommend that you RENT an instrument the first year from a reputable music company.
7. ARE THERE ANY SCHOOL OWNED INSTRUMENTS AVAILABLE?
Yes. The school provides the more expensive instruments: tuba, euphonium (baritone), french horn, oboe, and bassoon. These are assigned on the basis of aptitude, suitability, and availability - NOT financial need. Parents whose child is selected to play one of these school owned instruments are required to pay a $100 per year usage fee, and will still be required to purchase necessary accessories such as a mouthpiece, books, reeds/valve oil. Due to the unique nature and difficulty of the oboe and bassoon, it is REQUIRED that they take weekly private lessons (See #12). These instruments are unique and private lesson are a must to help the young developing oboe and bassoon player. Private lessons for all instruments are strongly encouraged.
8. CAN MY CHILD START PLAYING AS SOON AS HE/SHE GETS AN INSTRUMENT?
In order to prevent costly repairs and the formation of bad habits, we prefer that the instrument stay in the case during the summer. Once students have solid fundamentals of making a sound on their instrument and formal instruction is given on the care and assembly of the instrument, your child will begin taking the instrument home. This is to protect your investment! If you rent/purchase from a music company, the store will deliver the instrument and materials to our band hall for students.
9. CAN MY CHILD PARTICIPATE IN BOTH ATHLETICS AND BAND AT THE SAME TIME? BAND AND CHOIR? BAND & THEATRE ARTS?
Yes, students get two electives in 6th, 7th and 8th grade. There are many middle school students who are in band, athletics, and other organizations such as theatre arts, choir, etc. Because of the unique nature of playing a musical instrument, we try to encourage students to begin band in 6th grade so they have the best chance for success. If you want your child to learn a band instrument, you will need to put band as your FIRST or SECOND CHOICE for an elective. In 7th grade & 8th grade, the school administration, coaches, classroom teachers and band directors work together to try to avoid conflicts in scheduling. We have current Aledo MS Band members who are in 6th grade pre-athletics, and in 7th & 8th grade football, volleyball, basketball, UIL Academics, cheerleading, and in school theater productions!
10. ARE THERE ANY EXTRA REHEARSALS REQUIRED? CONCERTS?
Yes, we will have a couple required performances throughout the year. We usually have Extravabandza (Fall Semester), Winter Concert (December), Auction Concert (Early Spring), Spring Concert (May) and some type of Band Festival in late Spring (April/May). Students are also required to perform a solo at our annual solo contest(May). There may be times that we schedule before/after school rehearsal as we prepare for an upcoming performance but these will be communicated well in advance.
11. WILL MY CHILD BE REQUIRED TO PRACTICE AT HOME?
Yes. As students learn new skills and music theory, students will be required as a part of their grade to practice 10-15 minutes every day outside of class. As students build their skills, we will gradually increase the minutes until we finally reach a total of 150 minutes per week. This weekly time (not daily) increase over the first semester as their facial muscle develop and strengthen and they can practice the full 30 minutes, several days per week (not every day). They record their time in Charms, which is turned in and graded weekly. For home practice, students are to purchase a folding music stand, metronome (electronic time-keeper). Parents are encouraged to give positive support to the student as he/she progresses. .
12. ARE PRIVATE LESSONS AVAILABLE? ARE THEY REQUIRED?
Private lessons are strongly encouraged for all students, but are not required. (Except for oboe and Bassoon) If your child takes private lessons, he/she will receive one-on-one instruction from a professional musician (many of which have graduate degrees). Lessons are held once a week at McAnally Middle School at a cost of $20-25 per half hour. Private lessons help challenge faster-paced students and strengthen slower paced students. Above average results are almost guaranteed! It is better to RENT to OWN a less expensive instrument and participate in the private lessons program than to purchase.
Beginning band meets daily at different times throughout the school day for the entire school year. Students are grouped into classes according to what instrument they play. The teacher-pupil ratio is kept low to facilitate individual supervision of student’s progress. Skills develop slowly at first, therefore, students and parents must be patient and committed for the entire school year in order to get the full benefit of band instruction. Beginners are started on Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium (Baritone), Tuba, and Percussion. We will help you choose the instrument that is best for you at our instrument fitting and selection meetings in the Spring.
2. IS ANY PREVIOUS MUSICAL TRAINING NECESSARY?
No. We teach the fundamentals of reading music as well as the fundamentals of playing an instrument from the very beginning with no prior musical experience needed.
3. ARE CERTAIN INSTRUMENTS FOR GIRLS AND OTHERS FOR BOYS?
Definitely NOT! Instrument choices are not based on a student's gender, but rather their desire to play that instrument. Instrument selection is based primarily upon the facial characteristics of the student, and, most importantly, their personal choice.
4. WHEN DO STUDENTS NEED INSTRUMENTS?
Instruments will be needed on the first day of school. Storage for all instruments is provided in the band hall. Please make sure that the case is labeled with your child's name. Don’t wait too long! Most music companies run out of stock in July and it can become difficult to secure an instrument, if you wait too long. We will have a music company attend our instrument fitting and students can secure an instrument once they have selected their instrument for beginning band.
5. SHOULD I RENT OR PURCHASE AN INSTRUMENT?
RENT! Renting an instrument will give your child the opportunity to begin in band with only a small initial investment. Your child can have the advantages of nice instrument, pride of ownership, freedom from error due to poor equipment, and the opportunity to be the best player they can be by having the best available instrument for their age level. Your child will have the instrument and mouthpiece recommended by the band directors. The instrument can be returned to the company at any time without further obligation.
6. WHAT ABOUT BUYING USED INSTRUMENTS?
Some used instruments are good bargains. However, you could possibly end up spending more money on repairs than the instrument is worth. For this reason, we ask that if you do purchase a used instrument, try to let a MMS Band Director examine it prior to purchase. Local music stores and former band students are excellent sources of used instruments. You might see if the music companies have used instruments available. We have found most pawn shop instruments to be of dubious quality. WARNING: The “band instruments” listed in departments store (i.e. Sears, Sam’s), in my personal opinion, are JUNK! They are practically toys. Again, we recommend that you RENT an instrument the first year from a reputable music company.
7. ARE THERE ANY SCHOOL OWNED INSTRUMENTS AVAILABLE?
Yes. The school provides the more expensive instruments: tuba, euphonium (baritone), french horn, oboe, and bassoon. These are assigned on the basis of aptitude, suitability, and availability - NOT financial need. Parents whose child is selected to play one of these school owned instruments are required to pay a $100 per year usage fee, and will still be required to purchase necessary accessories such as a mouthpiece, books, reeds/valve oil. Due to the unique nature and difficulty of the oboe and bassoon, it is REQUIRED that they take weekly private lessons (See #12). These instruments are unique and private lesson are a must to help the young developing oboe and bassoon player. Private lessons for all instruments are strongly encouraged.
8. CAN MY CHILD START PLAYING AS SOON AS HE/SHE GETS AN INSTRUMENT?
In order to prevent costly repairs and the formation of bad habits, we prefer that the instrument stay in the case during the summer. Once students have solid fundamentals of making a sound on their instrument and formal instruction is given on the care and assembly of the instrument, your child will begin taking the instrument home. This is to protect your investment! If you rent/purchase from a music company, the store will deliver the instrument and materials to our band hall for students.
9. CAN MY CHILD PARTICIPATE IN BOTH ATHLETICS AND BAND AT THE SAME TIME? BAND AND CHOIR? BAND & THEATRE ARTS?
Yes, students get two electives in 6th, 7th and 8th grade. There are many middle school students who are in band, athletics, and other organizations such as theatre arts, choir, etc. Because of the unique nature of playing a musical instrument, we try to encourage students to begin band in 6th grade so they have the best chance for success. If you want your child to learn a band instrument, you will need to put band as your FIRST or SECOND CHOICE for an elective. In 7th grade & 8th grade, the school administration, coaches, classroom teachers and band directors work together to try to avoid conflicts in scheduling. We have current Aledo MS Band members who are in 6th grade pre-athletics, and in 7th & 8th grade football, volleyball, basketball, UIL Academics, cheerleading, and in school theater productions!
10. ARE THERE ANY EXTRA REHEARSALS REQUIRED? CONCERTS?
Yes, we will have a couple required performances throughout the year. We usually have Extravabandza (Fall Semester), Winter Concert (December), Auction Concert (Early Spring), Spring Concert (May) and some type of Band Festival in late Spring (April/May). Students are also required to perform a solo at our annual solo contest(May). There may be times that we schedule before/after school rehearsal as we prepare for an upcoming performance but these will be communicated well in advance.
11. WILL MY CHILD BE REQUIRED TO PRACTICE AT HOME?
Yes. As students learn new skills and music theory, students will be required as a part of their grade to practice 10-15 minutes every day outside of class. As students build their skills, we will gradually increase the minutes until we finally reach a total of 150 minutes per week. This weekly time (not daily) increase over the first semester as their facial muscle develop and strengthen and they can practice the full 30 minutes, several days per week (not every day). They record their time in Charms, which is turned in and graded weekly. For home practice, students are to purchase a folding music stand, metronome (electronic time-keeper). Parents are encouraged to give positive support to the student as he/she progresses. .
12. ARE PRIVATE LESSONS AVAILABLE? ARE THEY REQUIRED?
Private lessons are strongly encouraged for all students, but are not required. (Except for oboe and Bassoon) If your child takes private lessons, he/she will receive one-on-one instruction from a professional musician (many of which have graduate degrees). Lessons are held once a week at McAnally Middle School at a cost of $20-25 per half hour. Private lessons help challenge faster-paced students and strengthen slower paced students. Above average results are almost guaranteed! It is better to RENT to OWN a less expensive instrument and participate in the private lessons program than to purchase.