Come Join the DeSana

Middle School Dragon Band!

Be a part of something very special as we begin making history as the newest middle school in Forsyth County. All instruments are available and we hope you will choose to be a part of our program.

Research shows that students who

participate in Band are more likely to:

Who can participate in band? ♪ Have fewer discipline issues Everyone! ♪ Score higher on all standardized tests ♪ Show a higher level of focus in

Famous People who were in band: all classes

Jimmy Kimmel-Clarinet ♪ Develop teamwork skills needed Halley Berry-Flute for today’s society Julia Roberts-Oboe/Clarinet ♪ Have more self confidence Keesha-Trumpet/Saxophone Lil Wayne-Cymbals ♪ Make friends that will last for a Nelly Furtado-Trombone lifetime Nora Jones-Saxophone ♪ Have more FUN! Alanis Morissette-Flute Home of the

Just to NOTE: Dragon Band McDonald's Corporation surveyed 500 chief Executive Officers of Fortune Get Excited! 500 companies and 500 U.S. Congressmen. Ninety percent said Mr. Mike Mitchell that playing a band instrument helps Band Director build character and leadership skills. When asked if they would encourage DeSana Middle School their children to pursue music as part 625 James Road of a school's curriculum, 100% of the Alpharetta, Georgia 30004 congressmen and 98.6% of the businessmen said yes.

Commonly asked questions What are my instrument choices? about band: Band offers several choices of instruments I want to sign up for band, but I don’t for your child to play. know how to play an instrument. How Woodwind Instruments include: can I be in band? Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon and Alto

99% of all beginners have never played a Saxophone wind or percussion instrument in their Brass instruments include: lifetime. Beginning band is designed to Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone teach you everything you need to know and Tuba to play an instrument and be in a Percussion instruments include: WHY MUSIC? WHY BAND? performing band. We recommend the combo kit which include: Snare Drum and Bells It might be more appropriate to ask: What about after school practice? How to determine which WHY NOT MUSIC? WHY NOT BAND? Beginners have only a few after school instrument to play. It is evident music education should be practices all year: three before the Winter During the first few weeks of school, all experienced by every student. We, as Concert in December and three before the students in the 6th grade will be given the a culture, will be best served if the Spring Concert in May. This is because we opportunity to try some of the instruments combine all first year band classes for our listed above. This is called “fitting”. This will hearts and minds of our youth are filled concerts. All band students are expected to help determine which instrument is best with the knowledge and the practice each week on their own which will suited for your child. This will be a understanding of MUSIC. The time has improve their skills. recommendation only. Most students will come, the time is now: get to play what instrument they wish, but I'm only going into the 6th grade. Am I sometimes physically there is a need to STRIKE UP THE BAND! too young for band? choose the recommendation of the Most students join band in the 6th grade. director. Music teachers know that the younger you I know what instrument my child wants At the end of each school year, the start the easier it is to learn an instrument. to play, should I purchase or rent that DeSana band director will visit the feeder This allows students to have three years instrument before classes start? elementary schools to recruit for the on their chosen instrument before they join We highly recommend waiting until the beginning band program. This brochure will high school band. fittings have occurred. Nothing is more hopefully answer many of the questions frustrating for children than trying to learn you may have about band. Learning an There are many things I want to do in an instrument that they are not physically instrument is very exciting. middle school. How can I be in band suited for.

Researchers have found that band and all those other activities? I saw an instrument at a warehouse participation: Band kids are involved kids. We encourage store that seems affordable. Can I just ✧ Enhances high brain function. our students to do a variety of activities. buy this instrument for my child to use? ✧ Improves reading and math performance. We will have many students who go out for Before or after the Instrument Fitting, a ✧ Raises IQ scores and proficiency scores football, basketball, track or other school meeting for you and your child concerning ✧ Provides important experiences that can help sports, as well as participating in one or renting an instrument and the lesson book physical coordination, timing, memory, visual, aural and language skills. more of our many clubs. Being well needed for the class will be held. We do ✧ Enhances cooperation and builds teamwork skills. rounded and experiencing many different not recommend instruments sold by non- activities is part of the middle school music stores. Most of these instruments experience and we encourage it. Since the are imported from third world countries and Learning an instrument is also an majority of learning in band occurs during are not of an acceptable quality for your activity that can be enjoyed for a the school day, conflicts rarely arise. And child. In addition many cannot be serviced lifetime. when they do, we can work them out. or repaired.