Mount Vernon School District Beginning Band
Why should my child join band?
Music and Band specifically would not be part of our schools or state curriculum if students did not show some type of benefits from being in band. After prolonged experience in band, students show many improvements on different types of mathematical problems. Reading scores improve, and feeling accepted in a large group with a common goal. Students who read music understand what note to play (foreign language), how long of a duration in time to give the note (mathematics), which finger to put down (physical dexterity), etc. Band also encourages self-discipline through practicing the instrument to improve.
Who can join band?
Any fifth and sixth grader student who is interested can join band in the Mount Vernon School District. Music reading skills are not expected. From the very beginning, they will learn how to read music. The students are expected to learn about playing their instruments and music reading from practice and lessons.
What instrument can my child play?
The beginning band program is composed of instruments from the Woodwind family, the Brass family, and Percussion family. We do not start guitar, piano or drumset in band. Students can choose from the Flute, Clarinet, Alto Sax, Trumpet,Trombone or Percussion.
How do I get an instrument for my child?
Please understand what kind of payment plan you are entering into when renting an instrument if you rent from another store. Some stores will have programs where it is a rental only where you do not ever own the instrument. If you feel you have come across a good deal for an instrument for your child,
check to see of if has these manufacturers’ names: Armstrong, Gemeinhardt, Artley, Noblet, Yamaha, Vito, Selmer, Bundy, Conn, Bach, Jupiter, Buffet, Blessing, Pearl, Ludwig. Feel free to email or call if you have questions about a particular name. DO NOT buy instruments from WalMart, Sam’s Club, Cosco or Kmart. These are very cheap instruments that will not play correctly the first time. Many instrument technicians will not fix these instruments due to the cheaper materials contained in these musical instruments. Please visit our instrument rental page to look at vendors and compare costs to find the plan that is best for your. Click Here
What if I already own an instrument my child is going to use?
Many times students will use family instruments, which is a way to save on the cost of joining band. These instruments need to be checked out by a trained technician to make sure they are in good playing shape. If you can do this before school starts, this will insure your child has an instrument in working condition when school starts.
Should my child take private lessons?
YES! With an expert private instructor you child will learn at an accelerated rate and exponentially improve on his or her instrument. Please see our private instructors tab for recommended instructors. Click Here
How much practice should my child do?
For best results, it is recommended that students do not try out their new instruments without instruction first. Bad habits are hard to change and sometimes trying it out without instruction leads to bad habits. Students will leave their classes understanding what they need to work on during the time between rehearsals. It is critical that students spend time each day practicing and preparing for their next lesson. Lack of progress in band is a direct result of lack of practice. As parents encourage and support their children to do daily homework, this type of encouragement and support is needed for band on a daily basis, also. The suggested daily practice time is 15-20 minutes. This will ensure that the student will feel confidence and success with his/her new instrument. If a student does not adhere to the daily practice time, frustration will set in and the student may become overwhelmed.
Do I need to do anything else after my child has started?
Parents can continue to help by setting up a routine of practice every day. This will be easy at first, but the newness does wear off and if there has not been a regular routine set, students will stop practicing, get frustrated, and want to switch instruments, or just quit. Please encourage the practicing by listening to a new song they just learned or having mini concerts for relatives.
Why should my child join band?
Music and Band specifically would not be part of our schools or state curriculum if students did not show some type of benefits from being in band. After prolonged experience in band, students show many improvements on different types of mathematical problems. Reading scores improve, and feeling accepted in a large group with a common goal. Students who read music understand what note to play (foreign language), how long of a duration in time to give the note (mathematics), which finger to put down (physical dexterity), etc. Band also encourages self-discipline through practicing the instrument to improve.
Who can join band?
Any fifth and sixth grader student who is interested can join band in the Mount Vernon School District. Music reading skills are not expected. From the very beginning, they will learn how to read music. The students are expected to learn about playing their instruments and music reading from practice and lessons.
What instrument can my child play?
The beginning band program is composed of instruments from the Woodwind family, the Brass family, and Percussion family. We do not start guitar, piano or drumset in band. Students can choose from the Flute, Clarinet, Alto Sax, Trumpet,Trombone or Percussion.
How do I get an instrument for my child?
Please understand what kind of payment plan you are entering into when renting an instrument if you rent from another store. Some stores will have programs where it is a rental only where you do not ever own the instrument. If you feel you have come across a good deal for an instrument for your child,
check to see of if has these manufacturers’ names: Armstrong, Gemeinhardt, Artley, Noblet, Yamaha, Vito, Selmer, Bundy, Conn, Bach, Jupiter, Buffet, Blessing, Pearl, Ludwig. Feel free to email or call if you have questions about a particular name. DO NOT buy instruments from WalMart, Sam’s Club, Cosco or Kmart. These are very cheap instruments that will not play correctly the first time. Many instrument technicians will not fix these instruments due to the cheaper materials contained in these musical instruments. Please visit our instrument rental page to look at vendors and compare costs to find the plan that is best for your. Click Here
What if I already own an instrument my child is going to use?
Many times students will use family instruments, which is a way to save on the cost of joining band. These instruments need to be checked out by a trained technician to make sure they are in good playing shape. If you can do this before school starts, this will insure your child has an instrument in working condition when school starts.
Should my child take private lessons?
YES! With an expert private instructor you child will learn at an accelerated rate and exponentially improve on his or her instrument. Please see our private instructors tab for recommended instructors. Click Here
How much practice should my child do?
For best results, it is recommended that students do not try out their new instruments without instruction first. Bad habits are hard to change and sometimes trying it out without instruction leads to bad habits. Students will leave their classes understanding what they need to work on during the time between rehearsals. It is critical that students spend time each day practicing and preparing for their next lesson. Lack of progress in band is a direct result of lack of practice. As parents encourage and support their children to do daily homework, this type of encouragement and support is needed for band on a daily basis, also. The suggested daily practice time is 15-20 minutes. This will ensure that the student will feel confidence and success with his/her new instrument. If a student does not adhere to the daily practice time, frustration will set in and the student may become overwhelmed.
Do I need to do anything else after my child has started?
Parents can continue to help by setting up a routine of practice every day. This will be easy at first, but the newness does wear off and if there has not been a regular routine set, students will stop practicing, get frustrated, and want to switch instruments, or just quit. Please encourage the practicing by listening to a new song they just learned or having mini concerts for relatives.
