Band Frequently Asked Questions…
How many concerts will I have as a beginning band member? There will be two concerts. One will be the beginning concert sometime during
the first semester and a second concert will be the spring concert.
Do you have after school rehearsals? There is usually only one or two after school rehearsals before a concert. This allows the brass, woodwind,
and percussion section to practice together.
What is available after beginning band? There is a Concert and Varsity Band (Intermediate Level and advanced –intermediate level) and a
Symphonic Band (Advanced Level). Once through beginning band, students are encouraged to continue to develop their talent. Concert and
Varsity Band is the second natural step up; however, students may audition for a spot in the Symphonic Band. All students are encouraged to
audition and they are placed in the band that best fits their level of performance. Opportunities become available to audition for the Santa Rosa
All-County Band and participate in the Florida Bandmaster’s Association District One Concert Band Music Performance Assessment. The
Symphonic Band does this event every year. It is quite spectacular!
Is there a band uniform? Yes. Students will wear black dress pants(preferably black dress pants with pleats-no jeans or cargo pants, black socks,
black dress shoes (not tennis shoes) a black belt and the band shirt, which is approximately $20.00-this is the polo shirt that students wear with
black pants as their uniform. The shirt should be tucked into the dress pants. There is also an opportunity to purchase a “fun/spirit” shirt. This is
a black t-shirt that is approximately $12.00. The fun shirt is optional. Parents should purchase these items upon the beginning of school-as they
are only ordered one time. The band shirts are the only part of the uniform purchased from the school. Everything else should be purchased
outside of school. We will need the band uniform for the school band pictures that are in the yearbook.
How do you rent or purchasing an instrument? Any student that plays flute, clarinet, alto or tenor saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and
percussion will rent or purchase an instrument from a music dealer. One nice option about renting an instrument is that one may choose to
purchase rental insurance that will cover the cost of repair if something happens to the instrument during the rental agreement. Also, if there
is repair needed, it is much more time efficient to have a reputable local dealer to repair the instrument, rather than having to ship the
instrument away. Every moment of class rehearsal time is very important. Also, if your child wishes to upgrade or change instruments due to a
problem they encounter in playing the selected instrument, many programs have policies to help this situation.
What if you know someone that has an instrument and is willing to give it to my child for free or a small cost? The most important thing is that
you have the instrument checked out by a reputable repair store to see if the instrument has any hidden cracks or problems that could prohibit
the student’s success on the instrument. It may just need an adjustment or pads changed. Something that may seem small could cause a lack of
success or frustrating problems.
What else should I know about purchasing an instrument? Some instruments are sold for a more attractive price on the internet. Be cautious
about finding a good brand that is repairable by the local reputable dealer. You want to make sure they will repair it and they can get
replacement parts. Sometimes it is easier to rent to own and purchase one instrument, rather than buying something that is not repairable.
Always check with your local repair store.
What if I play tuba, baritone, bassoon, or oboe? These instruments can be rented from the school. Generally the students have an instrument
at home and an instrument at school. The oboe is small enough to carry back and forth, so that musician only has one that is carried back and
forth. The rental fee per instrument is $70.00. So a tuba player that rents one for home and one for school pays $140.00 to rent the instrument
for the school year-August through May. There is a rental card to fill out. These instruments are only rented. They belong to the school
permanently. Thus, there is not rent to own option with a school owned instrument. There are times where the instrument must be brought
into school for repair, county inventory, or summer repair.*It is possible that some school horns are shared. Students should purchase their
own mouthpiece.
Can I rent a school owned instrument over the summer? Yes. It is with administration and director approval. This is an available option for the
student after his/her first year of band. They need to be brought in for inspection and then with the $70.00 rental fee and instrument rental
card you may use it for the summer once you have spent the first year in band. These instruments are then returned at the first of school for
any necessary repairs.
What if the school owned instrument breaks? It the damage is done by the student, and not a result of normal wear and tear, the parent pays
for the damage. If the student dents the horn or does not clean and properly maintain the instrument, the parent pays for the damage. This will
be with the director’s choice for selecting the repair store. If it is normal wear and tear or adjustments that occur by nature, the school will pay
to have this fixed. Any destruction will require a behavior referral and restitution.
Where do I store my instrument? There are lockers in the band room to store your instrument. You come into the band room in the morning
before school store it safely in your locker by locking it with a master combination lock that is provided. Do not use key locks, alphabet locks, or
any lock that one can change the combination. At the end of the day, simply return to the band room and pick up your instrument before
getting on the bus, walking home or riding home as a car rider.
How much musical knowledge do I need? You do not need any prior knowledge or experience. You just need to want to learn how to play and
instrument and we will teach you the rest!
How much time do I have to practice? The ideal practice is at least thirty minutes a day for four or five days a week. Practice is part of your
grade. The rest of your grade is earned by participation in class on a daily basis-you must have your instrument each day with your music.
Concerts are also a part of your grade. We also learn about music theory-of course! That is the basis of you understanding your music. We also
learn about composers and music in other countries. After concerts we also evaluate our performance in an essay.
What book do I use? The Standard of Excellence Book One by Bruce Pearson for your chosen instrument.
What else do I need for class? Everyone needs Paper, pencil, page protectors, and a black music binder (music stands are also great). If you play
clarinet, saxophone, oboe, you will need 4good reeds-at all times, a reed guard, a swab, a polishing cloth, a Rovner Ligature for clarinet and
Saxophone, cork grease and a mouthpiece brush-except for oboe. Reeds do break and will wear out and just get unsanitary. It is cheaper in the
long run to purchase by the box. I recommend Vandoren Reeds because of the tone production. Brass players will need valve oil, cork grease,
mouthpiece brush and a snake. Tuba and baritone players also need a mouthpiece, and a mouthpiece pouch. Percussion players will need Mike
Balter 1B Oval Black Rubber, Extra Soft Mallets with Birch Handles and 2 B Percussion Sticks, along with their percussion kit. There is a $20.00
lab fee for percussion players only as these members will often use class equipment. It is always best to check with your local music dealer and
director to see what else is needed.
What if I don’t like band? That is generally approached on a one to one basis. If the instrument is hard to play, due to a physical characteristic,
we will reassess. That is another great thing about renting an instrument-many stores have policies for this situation. This is why we hold music
try-ons to try and fit the instrument to the student. We build our instrumentation with great promise for the future bands of Concert, Varsity
and Symphonic.
Final Comments: This seems like a lot of information. Yes, it is! It is helpful to know what you are about to become involved in. We also do two
fundraisers each year. This pays for lots of different things-new instruments, used instruments, sometimes students even have to share
instruments and use their own mouthpiece. These monies also pay for buses, district and Florida Bandmaster’s Association Fees, classroom
equipment, supplies, repair, music, etc… We are always happy to accept donations as well. Please speak to the director if there is a financial
problem. We will see if there is anything that we can do to help. One certainly has a great musical experience and knowledge when joining
band. It also provides long lasting memories, opportunities, friendships, discipline, responsibilities, and assists students in other testing areas,
etc… Congratulations! I am very excited for you and look forward to teaching you next year!
Sincerely,
Woodlawn Beach Middle School
Stacy Rohde
1500 Woodlawn Way
Director of Bands
Gulf Breeze, Florida 32563
850-934-4010 ext. 203
rohdes@mail.santarosa.k12.fl.us