October 30, 2009
Dear Parents and Students,
It’s band time!!! Band will begin when we return after winter break, and the tentative
schedule is below. Through the month of October I have introduced the band
instruments and given interested fifth graders the chance to try them out (except for the
instruments marked with an asterisk). The following are the instruments your child is
most interested in:
_____ Flute
_____ Oboe*
_____ Clarinet
_____ Alto Saxophone
_____ Horn*
_____ Trumpet
_____ Trombone
_____ Baritone*
_____ Percussion
Participating in band is a wonderful opportunity for all students! Band classes offer
unique challenges that enhance academic learning, leadership skills, and self-discipline.
Students become part of a peer group that will help them succeed in band and help with
their transition to middle school next year. Being in band does not pose any conflict
with sports or any other after-school activities. Band classes at the elementary level
meet in small groups for a more individualized instruction time and in large groups to
prepare for concert performances.
Here is the tentative band class schedule for our school:
1st week (Jan. 4)
2nd week
M – clarinets
M - percussion
T – flutes
T – clarinets
W – trumpets
W - brass
R - low brass
R - woodwinds
F – saxes
F – no school
3rd week
M – no school
T – woodwinds
W – sections needing help
R – brass
F – percussion
4th week on
M - woodwinds
T - everyone
W - brass
R - everyone
F - percussion
I
will
post
relevant
information
to
the
band
website:
http://www.bigwalnut.k12.oh.us/olcClassView.aspx?classID=664.
If you have any
questions
or
concerns,
please
contact
me
at
965-2291
or
at
Kathy_blocher@bigwalnut.k12.oh.us.
Musically,
Acquiring a band instrument
At this level it is a good idea to rent an instrument (rental money goes toward
the purchase price), since some children will change their minds about their
instruments or just participating in band.
There are several stores in this area where you may purchase a band
instrument without fear. Remember: if it sounds too good to be true, it
probably is!
Colonial Music and Arts Center
43 North State Street
Westerville, OH 43081
(614) 891-9008
Crossroads Music
1 N. Sandusky Street
Delaware, OH 43015
(740) 368-9966
Sam Ash Music
1690 Morse Road
Columbus, OH 43229
(614) 436-3919
Music Go Round
4681 Morse Road
Columbus, OH 43230
(614) 473-0100
If you choose to purchase an instrument off of ebay or anywhere online, be
very careful! There are good instruments for sale there, but there are MANY
junkers for sale as well. Please refer to the list of “Buyer Beware” brands
before buying an instrument off of the internet. If in doubt, please check with
your band teacher!
Considerations when buying an instrument
DO NOT LET THE SALESPEOPLE SEE THIS!
There are literally dozens of new “brands” of instruments coming to our shores every year.
These ISOs (instrument-shaped objects) are inferior to the quality brands that have been
around for years.
These ISOs have several shortcomings, such as lack of parts for repairs, reputable repair
shops will not try to repair these ISOs, the quality of construction is poor, and they are poor
copies of quality instruments.
The manufacturers of these ISOs use the cheapest means to manufacture their product.
The bitterness of a poor purchase will long outlast the sweetness of a low price!
Brands you can trust
Selmer (woodwind)
Conn (brass)
Bach (brass)
Buffet (clarinet)
Yamaha (woodwind and brass)
Holton (brass)
Leblanc (woodwind)
Ludwig (percussion)
Pearl (percussion)
Armstrong (woodwind)
King (brass)
Emerson (woodwind)
Musser (percussion)
Besson (brass)
Getzen (brass)
Gemeinhardt (flute)
Noblet (clarinet)
Vito (woodwind)
Jupiter (woodwind and brass)
Fox (woodwind)
Bundy (clarinet)
Benge (brass)
Boosey and Hawkes (woodwind)
Signet (clarinet)
Schilke (brass)
Buescher (woodwind)
And others (check with your band teacher)
Iotone
Monique
Beltone
Jean Baptiste
Simba
Heimer
Laurel
TriStar
Morelli
Gruskin
Helmke
Wernburg
Deura
Rossetti
Bandfolio
Kersting
Maxan
Hsinghai
Victory Band
Dolnet
Avalon
Coudet
Jazz Studio
Golden Cup
Sonatina
Laval
Unison
Maxtone
Bestler
Belcrest
Remstein
Concert
Buyer Beware!
Delphi
Jinyin
Sky
Silvertone
Jimbao
Solist
Lalo French Design
Stellar
Venus
First Act
Anaxa
Weimar
Wurzbach
Winston
Crescent
Merano
Mendini
Cecilio
York
Borg
Maxam
Lazarro
Ventiel
Mondstuk
Geval Mondstuk
Venus
Symphony
Ocarina
Most that are available in colors
Instruments with no name
Shiny Clarinet
Lacquer Saxophone
And MANY more