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30 Frequently Asked Questions About Joining Band (They are asked very frequently, so hopefully this list will help answer some of your questions!)

My child has no previous musical experience. How do I know if he/she will be successful in band ? No musical experience is necessary to be in the band program. The Jane Addams Mustang Band is looking for dedicated students who show a strong potential for learning. This is based on interest, aptitude, and self-discipline. A student’s determination to succeed, hard work and the proper motivation from home are the keys to success in the band program. Our curriculum begins from the VERY beginning – “This is how you open the case ….”

How much will my child have to practice ? “Practicing” does not mean the daily band class that your child is in. Every student MUST work hard on an individual basis AT HOME – that’s called practicing. Every student must practice for 30 minutes per day at home in order to keep up with the class expectations. The band can only be as good as the weakest player in the group. Becoming good at an instrument DOES NOT happen by magic or by just hoping that a student gets better at it. It takes dedication and very hard work!

How do I know which instrument my child should play in the band ?

How the Band Director figures it out: Instrument “fitting” (or testing) is a series of criteria that we use to best “fit” a student with an instrument that they will have the best probability of success with. These criteria include (but are not limited to): facial characteristics (lip, teeth and jaw structure), body characteristics (arm length, frame size, hand/finger size), past academic performance, and enrollment limitations for each instrument section. A student may want to play a certain instrument and, through instrument “fitting”, discovers that another instrument would be easier for him/her. The best and "easiest" instrument to get a good sound out of is the one that the individual child should play in the band.

How you can help the Band Director figure it out: 1.) Do Some Research Research online about what the different instruments sound like. Your child does not want to be stuck playing an instrument that he/she cannot stand the sound of. Check out some CDs from your local library, or go online to find sound clips of different instruments. A teacher may be able to demonstrate the sound of some instruments for you.

2.) Try Some Out Once you have found a few sounds that please you, see if you can try some out. If you know someone who plays an instrument, ask them if you can try it. They may not want to let you put your mouth on their mouthpiece, but you can at least hold the instrument and feel how it feels in your hand. Some music stores may be willing to let you try an instrument. Keep in mind that a student will not play a symphony on the first try, but you do want to choose an instrument that feels somewhat comfortable in your child's hands.

3.) Match with Your Child’s Personality Next, think about the new musician’s personality and try to match it with an instrument. Here are some things to think about when it comes to instruments and personalities:

Woodwind Instruments: = Flute tones are produced by directing an extremely focused air stream across the hole. Usually plays the most notes in the whole band. Highest and fastest of the band instruments. Fingers have to move FAST. Students who can read fluently are good candidates for the flute. Must have good finger dexterity and coordination. Upper lip cannot have a peak (tear-drop shape) in the middle.

Clarinet = The uses a “single reed” on a mouthpiece to produce the sound. Plays the melody in songs a lot. Usually goes fast. Should be good at reading for this one too. Must have good finger dexterity and coordination. It is for students who are able to focus on and follow a set of instructions. = The oboe is similar in its appearance to a clarinet, but it is played using a “double reed” instead of a single reed and mouthpiece. Usually only ONE or TWO in the entire band. For someone who LIKES to stand in the spotlight. There are no in . Oboe students will have other important jobs in Marching Band (carrying a flag, for example.) Must have good finger dexterity and coordination. Students with high academic performance records are good candidates to play the oboe. Weekly private lessons are NECESSARY to be truly successful at the oboe. Alto = The gives the impression of being both a brass and a , however it is indeed considered a woodwind instrument. The alto saxophone uses a single reed like the clarinet. For the person who is outgoing and doesn’t want to hide. Every mistake can be heard easily. You can’t have tiny hands. Must have good finger dexterity and coordination. Plays harmony most of the time. Sometimes plays the melody. Brass Instruments:

Trumpet = The sound is produced by buzzing the lips into a mouthpiece. It's for the person who is outgoing and doesn’t want to hide. Every mistake can be heard easily. Having an even upper and lower jaw (no severe overbite or underbite) makes it much easier to play. Plays the melody most of the time. For someone who’s confident and self-motivating.

French Horn = The sound is produced by buzzing the lips into a small mouthpiece. Tougher to play than the other brass instruments. Must have “good ears” to play it. Best for students who have or piano experience. Must be a patient person who doesn’t give up easily. Plays the harmony most of the time. Weekly private lessons are NECESSARY to be truly successful at . French horn players rent an instrument from Music & Arts Center to use in school AND rent one from the school district for an annual rental fee of $50 per school year to keep at home to practice on.

Trombone = The is played like the other brass instruments (buzzing into a cup-shaped mouthpiece), but uses a slide instead of valves. Fun to play. VERY important in the band. Not for someone with super-short arms. For someone with medium-to-full sized lips. Plays melody sometimes. Plays bass line most of the time.

Baritone = Looks like a small version of a . Its sound is similar to that of a trombone, but it uses valves like a instead of a slide (like trombone). Easier to play than the other brass instruments. VERY important in the band. Plays bass line most of the time. Baritone players rent an instrument from Music & Arts Center to use in school AND rent one from the school district for an annual rental fee of $50 per school year to keep at home to practice on.

Tuba = Tuba players need to have full lips and a large lung capacity. It's the biggest and most important instrument in the band. The tuba provides the musical foundation for the band and requires players that are self-motivated over-achievers. It won't fit on the bus every day, so you rent one to play at home, and another one to keep at school. Plays the bass line. Weekly private lessons are NECESSARY to be truly successful at the tuba. Tuba players rent TWO (that are owned by the school district) for an annual rental fee of $50 per instrument (for a total of $100 per year). One is to use in school. The second one is to practice on at home.

Percussion = The percussion section is the most select, hand-picked section of the band. Careful consideration is given to each student’s grades, behavior, motor skills, and prior knowledge of music. They should be able to listen and follow a series of instructions without any problems. They should be able to organize their equipment and belongings in an orderly fashion. Everything they play is a solo - so they must be precise all the time. Percussion isn’t the name of the instrument – it’s the name of a FAMILY of instruments. In Beginning Band, you have to learn two instruments at once - and bells. You MUST take weekly private lessons in order to play percussion in the Jane Addams Band program. If you want to be in in 7th and 8th grade, you must purchase/rent your own drum set to practice on at home.

The bottom line is that you need to help your child choose an instrument that he/she will enjoy playing. Practicing an instrument is hard work, and in order for it to pay off, the student MUST enjoy it. By taking time in choosing your child’s first musical instrument, you will ensure that you have made a choice that you can both live with happily.

Why can’t my child just “play drums” in the band ? The movie “Drumline” has caused an overabundance of student interest in “playing drums”. Please understand that Mrs. Zabinski is a percussionist herself. The percussion family of instruments includes the snare drum and bell set (mallet instruments), and she firmly believes in educating students as true percussionists, not “drummers.” Other percussion instruments that our percussionists learn to play are: , (they used to be known as kettledrums), chimes, triangle, , woodblocks, , and many other smaller instruments. Therefore, if a student wants to be a percussionist in the Beginning Band, he/she will need to rent a percussion kit that contains a snare drum AND a bell set. Since there is DOUBLE the amount of information for percussionists to learn in the first year of band, all JAMS percussionists are REQUIRED to take private lessons and are REQUIRED to spend 50% of their practicing the snare drum and 50% of their time practicing bells!!!

How do I get an instrument for my child ? Our school has a partnership with a store called “Music & Arts Center,” and Mrs. Zabinski recommends that parents rent or buy an instrument from them. They offer competitive pricing, excellent quality instruments, outstanding service, and a representative who visits the school once a week so that you don’t have to do any driving for supplies! Parents can shop where ever they would like, but Music & Arts Center is highly recommended.

Can my child play an instrument that we got a GREAT deal on from an auction website or a regular retail store ? To avoid A LOT of problems in the future, PLEASE read the sheet called A Warning for Parents about “Bargain” Instruments from Retail Stores and Online Auctions to fully understand why this not good.

Can my child play an instrument that's owned by the school ? YES! Baritones and tubas may be rented from the school for $50 annually, but supplies are VERY limited!

Can my child play a used instrument that we already own ? YES! A representative from Music and Arts Center will be at the Beginning Band Sign-Up Night to check over a used instrument and give you a cost estimate for any repairs that may need to be made on that instrument. You’ll still need to buy a music stand and band book.

What if my child is approved for an instrument, but REALLY wants to play a different one ? Please remember that the band director and the staff of Music & Arts Center are trained musical professionals interested solely in your child’s success on his/her instrument. We WILL NOT set your child up for failure. While desire plays a large role in a student’s willingness to work hard, practice and learn – physical and academic characteristics MUST be taken in consideration.

How do I take care of a band instrument ? Every student is taught from their very first lesson how to take care of their instrument, including how to clean it and how to avoid damaging it. Every student will also receive a sheet that details how to take care of and clean their specific instrument. If you have any questions about the care of your child’s instrument (in other words, how to take care of your major financial investment), don’t hesitate to contact the band director and ask! If an instrument is always maintained properly, it will always sound great, it won't smell or grow mold, and it will spend a minimal amount of time in the repair shop.

Is there a fee for being in band ? It depends. ALL band students must pay the necessary money to have an instrument, a band book, and a music stand for home practice and to use in the . All PERCUSSIONISTS must pay the $50 school instrument rental fee (even though they will have their own snare drum and bell set) because they will also be using the school's bass drum, cymbals, timpani, , chimes, and various other school-owned percussion equipment. The money collected in school-owned instrument fees is used to repair and replace these school-owned percussion instruments.

What if my child won’t be in school on Wednesday, April 25th for the instrument “fittings”? Please come to the Beginning Band Sign-Up Night on Thursday, May 3rd, (any time from 5:00 – 8:00pm) and your child will be able to try several instruments and get “fitted” then.

What if we can’t be at the Beginning Band Sign-Up Night ? If you cannot attend the Beginning Band Sign-Up Night, please send Mrs. Zabinski an email at [email protected] and she will be happy to take care of your registration and mail you the information from Music and Arts Center to set up you instrument rental. However, please note that registration for Beginning Band is on a first-come-first-serve basis and is limited on some instruments. Therefore, it is to your advantage to attend Beginning Band Sign-Up Night or contact Mrs. Zabinski as soon as possible to reserve your child’s place in the Jane Addams Middle School Beginning Band.

What are MY responsibilities as a parent to help my child succeed in band ? - Provide your child with a good quality band instrument that is in good working order. - Provide your child with a band book and music stand. - Provide your child with accessories when needed (reeds, valve oil, books, etc.) - Schedule AND ENFORCE a 30-minute block time every night for your child to practice. - Expose your child to a variety of live music and other arts experiences. - Assist the Jane Addams Band Boosters when possible. - Provide transportation for your child to and from band activities when necessary. - Stay aware of how your child is doing in the band program. - Attend your child’s performances. - Provide a positive and encouraging atmosphere for your child to succeed!

Will Beginning Band interfere with any sports, clubs, or other school activities ? It depends.  If your child is in one of the Beginning Band classes that meets during the school day, it will not interfere with any other sports or activities.  If your child is in a Math Block class, and is therefore in the After-School Beginning Band class from 2:45 – 3:45pm, this class takes place during the time that most sports, clubs and other activities meet, so students in that Beginning Band class would not be able to participate in those conflicting activities.  When a student is in 7th and 8th grade and is in Jazz, , Symphonic or Marching Band, sometimes conflicts do arise. If this happens, band members are encouraged to divide their time equally between activity practices. However, students are expected to attend all required parades and concerts.

Going to middle school seems to be such a big adjustment. Wouldn’t it be better to wait until 7th grade to start band ? NO! In the Valley View School District, band instruction begins in the 6th grade, so students who want to be in band need to select band for their elective for 6th grade. If a student doesn’t take Band from the beginning of 6th grade, but decides they want to join later, they must wait until the beginning of the NEXT school year and then join Beginning Band as a 7th or 8th grader. (They will be in band class with all 6th graders.) Parents must be aware that band is a progressive and sequential course of instruction, and students who start band in the 7th grade are a year behind in instruction and typically don't do as well as those who started in 6th grade. We have found that being able to have a positive peer group (like the band) to identify with from the beginning of Middle School is one of the best ways to make the transition easier. Band provides an instant peer group that is focused on a very positive activity.

What are private lessons? Should my child take private lessons ? A private lesson is one-on-one training by a professional musician who plays the same instrument as your child. Private lessons are in addition to the daily in-school band group classes. Private lessons take place once a week for 30 minutes. In private lessons, each student learns at his/her own pace. The teacher has the time and focus to work on the individual student’s strengths and weaknesses, because for those 30 minutes, the student is the ONLY focus of the teacher. Although private lessons are a small added expense to your child’s musical education, they are exceedingly more productive and highly recommended for any student who wants to truly succeed. Student who take private lessons progress more rapidly than students who do not take lessons, and they perform to the very best of their abilities. It has been proven many times that the students that do the best in band are the ones who take private lessons. Are private lessons required ? Only students who are playing PERCUSSION are required to take private lessons. All other students are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to take private lessons for the best possible chance at success.

How do I set up private lessons for my child ? Private lesson times are available on a first-come-first-serve basis before school, after school, and during your child’s band class period during the school day at Jane Addams. (A student won’t fall behind by missing one day a week of band class. Students in private lessons actually end up very far AHEAD of the class!) Private lessons are also available at most music stores. There will be a “Private Lesson Information” sheet available at the Beginning Band Sign-Up Night that you can use to set up private lessons for your child.

How many different bands are there at Jane Addams ? Beginning Band - For students who are starting to learn a new instrument. - For students who have passed Beginning Band and are ready for the next level. Symphonic Band - For students who have passed Beginning Band and are well-accomplished in playing their instrument. Marching Band - For students who have passed Beginning Band and are ready for the next level. Jazz Band - For students who play trumpet, saxophone, trombone, guitar, bass, piano, or drum set (and can read the music correctly) and have passed Beginning Band. It meets two mornings a week before school, and no grade is earned for this group. It is a co-curricular activity.

My child would like to play another instrument too. Can we just switch instruments at any time ? It’s complicated. Since each instrument has its own set of fingerings and notes, switching instruments will cause a student to drop WAY BEHIND the rest of the class, and therefore he/she gets frustrated and wants to quit. Switching instruments is not allowed during the school year, but it can be done over a summer by following this process: 1.) Band director approves the switch. 2.) Parent begins renting the new instrument. 3.) Student takes weekly private lessons on the new instrument. 4.) Band director tests student at the end of the summer to determine if he/she has enough knowledge on that new instrument to be placed in Concert or Symphonic Band. If not, then the student will have to join the Beginning Band again for the following school year to learn the basics of the new instrument.

My child is getting dental braces. Can a child with braces play a band instrument ? YES! Many students with braces play musical instruments successfully. However, it is recommended that students with braces (or who will soon get them) who would like to play a brass instrument choose an instrument in the low brass family (trombone, baritone or tuba) due to the larger and more comfortable mouthpiece. Students choosing a woodwind instrument (flute, oboe, clarinet, or alto saxophone) will have to make some adjustments to playing with braces, but it has been done successfully by many students.

By being in band, are there any classes that my child is not taking ? (What if he/she isn’t in band?) The Beginning Band students who are scheduled into a Beginning Band class that meets during the school day do not take the Careers classes (which are Art and Applied Technology for the 2017-2018 school year).

What is my child decided that he/she doesn’t want to be in band anymore ? Enrollment in a Beginning Band class is intended to be a year-long commitment. Changing a student’s schedule during a school year causes extreme problems with the rest of the school’s schedule. If a special situation arises, the band director will first need to have a conference with the school administration and parent about why the student is dropping out of band. If the drop is approved, the student may only join the Careers Classes rotation at the beginning of a new quarter.

Do students receive a grade for band ? Yes! Students will earn a grade on their quarterly report card in Beginning Band, and that grade will count towards their overall GPA (Grade Point Average). Students take a weekly playing test, a weekly written quiz, and will lose points from their grade if they do not have their instrument, book, or a pencil in class every day. How much time is required outside of the school day for Beginning Band ? Aside from the daily 20 minutes of practicing at home, all Beginning Band students must perform in two concerts a year (The Winter Concert in December and the Spring Concert in May), and attend only two after-school rehearsals a year (the day before the Winter Concert and the day before the Spring Concert).

What kinds of musical opportunities will be available for my child outside of the school day ? We have “Band Recital” in April in which any band student may play a song of their choice. Our school district also has a “Solo and Ensemble” contest in February. This contest takes a lot of preparation, but ALL band students are encouraged to participate.

Are there band uniforms for the Beginning Band ? No. For the Winter and Spring Concert performances, Beginning Band students must wear dressy clothes within the following guidelines: (No gym shoes, jeans, sweatshirts or t-shirts.) Girls: White dressy blouse or sweater, black dress pants or black skirt, black dress shoes. Boys: White dress shirt (tie is optional but encouraged), black dress pants, black socks and black shoes.

What if my child has problems getting better at playing his/her instrument ? There are several ways to help your child keep up with his/her band class. Taking private lessons is the best way to succeed on an instrument. Any band student can sign-up on the bulletin board for a ten minute “Help Session” with Mrs. Zabinski after school on a day that she’s available.

Can being in band really improve my child's education and life ? YES!!!! Research has proven that an education in music is a vital part of a complete education!

 Studying music has been proven to enhance higher brain function and improve reading and math skills.  Band teaches fundamental principles of responsibility, self-respect, confidence and self-discipline.  Band helps develop physical coordination, mental concentration and problem-solving skills.  Band helps develop personal expression and creativity through the universal language of music.  Band develops leadership, citizenship, teamwork and dependability.  Band provides the opportunity to participate in parades, field trips, tours, and other activities.  Band provides fun, self-entertainment and enjoyment for a lifetime!

The U.S. Department of Education lists the arts as subjects that college-bound middle and junior high school

students should take, stating "Many colleges view participation in the arts and music as a valuable

experience that broadens students’ understanding and appreciation of the world around them. It is also well

known and widely recognized that the arts contribute significantly to children’s intellectual development."

- Getting Ready for College Early: A Handbook for Parents of Students in the Middle and Junior High

School Years, U.S. Department of Education, 1997

“ opens doors that help children pass from school into the world around them - a world of work, culture, intellectual activity, and human involvement. The future of our nation depends on providing our children with a complete education that includes music.” - Gerald Ford, former U.S. president

Students of music continue to outperform their non-arts peers on the SAT, according to reports by the College Entrance Examination Board. In 2006, SAT takers with coursework/experience in music performance scored 57 points higher on the verbal portion of the test and 43 points higher on the math portion than students with no coursework or experience in the arts. Scores for those with coursework in music appreciation were 62 points higher on the verbal and 41 points higher on the math portion. - The College Board, Profile of College-Bound Seniors National Report for 2006

“The life of the arts, far from being an interruption, a distraction, in the life of the nation, is close to the center of a nation's purpose - and is a test to the quality of a nation's civilization.” - John F. Kennedy, former U.S. president

To put it simply, we need to keep the arts in education because they instill in students the habits of mind that last a lifetime: critical analysis skills, the ability to deal with ambiguity and to solve problems, perseverance and a drive for excellence. Moreover, the creative skills children develop through the arts carry them toward new ideas, new experiences, and new challenges, not to mention personal satisfaction. This is the intrinsic value of the arts, and it cannot be overestimated. - Education Week, Issue 20, vol. 24, pg. 40, 52; Jan 26, 2005, Rod Paige (former U.S. Secretary of Education), Mike Huckabee, former Governor of Arkansas, Education Commission of the States Chairman (www.ecs.org), Chairman’s Initiative on the Arts in Education

“Teaching music is not my main purpose. I want to make good citizens. If a child hears fine music from the day of his birth, and learns to play it himself, he develops sensitivity, discipline and endurance. He gets a beautiful heart.” - Shinichi Suzuki (legendary music educator)

Research confirms that music education at an early age greatly increases the likelihood that a child will grow up to seek higher education and ultimately earn a higher salary. If you want to be a CEO, college president, or even a rock star, the message from this survey is: take music. As with reading, writing, and arithmetic, music should be a core academic focus because it is so vital to a well rounded education and will pay dividends later in life, no matter the career path taken. - Harris Interactive survey release, November 12, 2007

“I would teach children music, physics and philosophy; but most importantly music, for in the patterns of music and all the arts are the keys to learning.” - Plato (Classical Greek Philosopher) “ Test scores reflect only one measure of a student's school performance. The arts provide an essential and ongoing measure of the whole child with their special ability to instill creativity, appreciation of diversity, problem solving, collaboration, and interpersonal skills -- qualities as essential for success in our society as mastery of basic skills." - Paul G. Young, Principal of West Elementary School, Lancaster, PA, and 2002-2003 President of the National Association of Elementary School Principals

"In band, I found friendship, respect, and dignity. There is no difference in my color, how I dress, or who I know, there is just our music. We create something together, that we could not do alone. When we work and play together, something happens that is more than just different people playing different parts. My mom calls it synergy, the Pulaski Community calls it pride." - Alexis Sell, Pulaski Middle School, Pulaski, WI, Grade:8, Age: 14