PARENT FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. How does the instrument selection process work?
Students interested in joining band in 5th grade will see a demonstration of the band instruments that are offered during the first or second week of school. Once they have seen the demonstrations and have a better idea of what instrument they think they might like to play, the students will need to be registered for an instrument try-out. (Link coming soon...) Students can select two instruments that they would like to try out. Students will then be pulled by classroom teacher to try the instruments that they selected. Ms. Gagliardi will work with the students to help them select the best instrument for them: an instrument that they will enjoy playing AND an instrument that they will find success playing.
2. How does the instrument rental process work?
Once the students have completed the instrument try-out process and have selected a band instrument, there will be a parent information meeting in the middle of September. During this meeting, parents will receive information about renting an instrument from Russo Music, our preferred music vendor. More information regarding this meeting will be sent home via email and posted on this website as the information becomes available.
3. How do instrumental lessons work?
Students will have one lesson per week, which will occur on the same day each week. The only time that students might have a lesson on a different day than usual is when there is a shortened week of school for either a holiday or another special circumstance that would be noted on the lesson schedule. Lessons rotate through all eight periods so that the students do not miss the same class each week. Students are responsible for making up the work that they miss when they are out of the class for music lessons.
4. When and how frequent are band rehearsals?
5th grade band meets on Tuesday and Thursday each week for 40 minutes. Students are either in 1st period band (WOLF BAND) or in 8th period band (PACK BAND). Students are assigned to one of these bands based on their homeroom teacher.
5. What is POPS?
POPS! is a select wind ensemble comprised of students from both 1st period and 8th period bands for students who demonstrate advanced skills on their instrument. Students are selected for POPS after the first concert in February by the director. Rehearsals begin in late February and are after school on Wednesdays from 3:30pm-4:30pm. Students selected for this ensemble consistently demonstrate the following behaviors/exhibit the following qualities:
Students interested in joining band in 5th grade will see a demonstration of the band instruments that are offered during the first or second week of school. Once they have seen the demonstrations and have a better idea of what instrument they think they might like to play, the students will need to be registered for an instrument try-out. (Link coming soon...) Students can select two instruments that they would like to try out. Students will then be pulled by classroom teacher to try the instruments that they selected. Ms. Gagliardi will work with the students to help them select the best instrument for them: an instrument that they will enjoy playing AND an instrument that they will find success playing.
2. How does the instrument rental process work?
Once the students have completed the instrument try-out process and have selected a band instrument, there will be a parent information meeting in the middle of September. During this meeting, parents will receive information about renting an instrument from Russo Music, our preferred music vendor. More information regarding this meeting will be sent home via email and posted on this website as the information becomes available.
3. How do instrumental lessons work?
Students will have one lesson per week, which will occur on the same day each week. The only time that students might have a lesson on a different day than usual is when there is a shortened week of school for either a holiday or another special circumstance that would be noted on the lesson schedule. Lessons rotate through all eight periods so that the students do not miss the same class each week. Students are responsible for making up the work that they miss when they are out of the class for music lessons.
4. When and how frequent are band rehearsals?
5th grade band meets on Tuesday and Thursday each week for 40 minutes. Students are either in 1st period band (WOLF BAND) or in 8th period band (PACK BAND). Students are assigned to one of these bands based on their homeroom teacher.
5. What is POPS?
POPS! is a select wind ensemble comprised of students from both 1st period and 8th period bands for students who demonstrate advanced skills on their instrument. Students are selected for POPS after the first concert in February by the director. Rehearsals begin in late February and are after school on Wednesdays from 3:30pm-4:30pm. Students selected for this ensemble consistently demonstrate the following behaviors/exhibit the following qualities:
- Demonstrate a high, above average level of musicianship on their instrument.
- Attend lessons and band rehearsals prepared and regularly.
- Demonstrate a positive attitude and intrinsic desire to improve their skills and the skills of their ensemble.