Beginning Band
To enroll your child in beginning band, please register by 9/11 on our website
www.GcesBandandStrings.weebly.com
Dear Parents,
Greetings from the instrumental music department of Gorman Crossing
Elementary School! Your child has seen a presentation about our band program
and this letter gives an overview of band lessons that are available at our school to
all fourth and fifth grade students.
For beginners, the following instruments will be offered: Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone,
Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone, Tuba and Percussion. I highly recommend playing the
trombone! Students will receive two thirty-minute lessons each week. A detailed schedule of exact
days and times will be distributed on September 18.
Beginning band will start lessons on Monday, September 21. By that time, each student who
chooses to participate must have an instrument with his/her name clearly labeled on the case. A list of
highly recommended brand name instruments and other required materials is located on the back of this
letter.
I encourage you to take advantage of instrument rental plans available at all local music stores,
which allow you to apply your monthly payments to the purchase cost. Please be aware that in recent
years, many poorly made instruments have been promoted over the Internet and in department stores.
They will be inexpensive but also so poorly made that instrument repair professionals refuse to work on
them. Do not buy or rent a music instrument from a store that sells clothing and/or food. Be sure that
the store you buy or rent from can also REPAIR your instrument if it breaks. Listed below are several
music stores that I recommend that offer competitive prices and rental plans for instruments.
Music and Arts Center
Mikes Music
Washington Music
Baltimore Brass Co.
Fulton/So Ho. Co.
Ellicott City
Wheaton
Catonsville
240-568-0600 (Very Close)
410-465-0700
301-946-2300
410-744-1723
Band provides a great foundation for your child in all aspects of life. Through the study of
music, students learn self-discipline, problem solving, self-expression, memory skills, concentration,
poise, high self-esteem, and the importance of teamwork. Furthermore, studies have shown that
musical skill has a profound effect on the academic success of students as well.
Music is a discipline, which requires commitment. This commitment means that your child will
be required to attend all band classes (and make up missed class work), perform one day and evening
spring concert and to practice for at least 15 minutes a day at home. Correct daily practice is absolutely
essential. Please evaluate your child’s schedule and be certain that learning to play a musical instrument
will be enough of a priority to ensure success.
To enroll your child in beginning band, please register online at our band and string website
www.GcesBandandStrings.weebly.com (please bookmark). Registration information must be
submitted online by Friday, September 11 I look forward to seeing you and answering any questions
you may have at “Back to School Night.” If you have any immediate concerns, please do not hesitate to
call or email me at the school. Thank you in advance for supporting your child’s interest in music.
Sincerely,
Ronald D. Bowman
Required Material for Beginning Band
(Bring this information to the music store)
The following materials are required for all students:
- Instrument (Please put your child’s name on the case and band book)
- Band method book: “Accent on Achievement” Book 1” for your instrument
- 2 pencils with erasers
- Music stand for home practice (do not bring to school)
The following materials are recommended for all students:
- Private Lessons
- Metronome and Tuner
Flute (Yamaha, Gemeinhardt, Armstrong, Jupiter recommended brand names)
- Soft cloth for cleaning (such as a handkerchief)
- Slide grease
Oboe and Bassoon (Fox recommended brand name)
- Soft cloth for cleaning (such as a handkerchief)
- 2 or more reeds
- Cork grease
Clarinet (Buffet, Yamaha, Selmer recommended brand names)
- 10 or more reeds made by Mitchell Lurie (strength 2 1/2 ) or LaVoz (medium soft)
- Swab for cleaning the inside
- Cork grease
Alto Saxophone (Yamaha, Selmer, Jupiter, JZ, Armstrong recommended brand names)
- 10 or more reeds made by “Rico or LaVoz” (strength 2 1/2 or medium soft)
- Swab for cleaning the inside
- Cork grease
Trumpet (Yamaha, King, Bach, Getzen, JZ recommended brand names)
- Valve Oil
- Slide grease
French Horn (Conn or Yamaha recommended brand names)
- Valve Oil
- Slide grease
Trombone (Yamaha, Bach TB-300, King, Conn recommended brand names)
- Slide Oil
- Bone bottle (water bottle)
Baritone and Tuba (GCES may be able to provide these instruments at no cost)
- Valve Oil
- Slide grease
Percussion (Pearl, Ludwig or Vic Firth bell kits recommended brand names)
- Bell Kit includes: bells, mallets, drum practice pad, drum sticks and stands)
Drum sticks: I recommend one pair of Vic Firth General SD1
Bell Mallets: I recommend one pair of Vic Firth M132 soft green rubber
- Stick Bag
- Band method book: “Accent on Achievement” Combined Percussion Book 1
Do not buy the Percussion (S.D.,B.D. Accessories). It does not include Bell music.
- Snare Drum method book: “The Performing Percussionist” Book 1, by James Coffin
Percussion Students must have all underlined items.
Beginning Band Registration Form
Online registration is preferred at www.GcesBandandStrings.weebly.com
Please Print Carefully:
Student’s Name
Grade
Homeroom Teacher
Home Phone Number
Parent Email Address (print)
Mother’s Name
Work/Cell Phone
Father’s Name
Work/Cell Phone
Parent/Guardian Signature
I am asking for a first and a second choice of instrument. In almost all cases the first choice is
fine. Please rent your first choice instrument now. I will contact parents immediately if a
second choice necessary.
In order to properly balance our band, I highly recommend playing the trombone or brass
instruments. If your child is uncertain about which instrument to play, I am available during
recess in my classroom to assist your child with this important decision.
Instrument: First Choice (Circle One)
Second Choice (Circle One)
Flute
Clarinet
Alto Saxophone
Trumpet
French Horn
Trombone
Baritone
Tuba
Percussion (bells and drums)
Flute
Clarinet
Alto Saxophone
Trumpet
French Horn
Trombone
Baritone
Tuba
Percussion (bells and drums)
Please return this form to Mr. Bowman by:
Friday , September 11.
Beginning Band
To enroll your child in beginning band, please register by 9/11 on our website
www.GcesBandandStrings.weebly.com
Dear Parents,
Greetings from the instrumental music department of Gorman Crossing
Elementary School! Your child has seen a presentation about our band program
and this letter gives an overview of band lessons that are available at our school to
all fourth and fifth grade students.
For beginners, the following instruments will be offered: Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Trumpet,
French Horn, Trombone, Baritone, Tuba and Percussion. I highly recommend playing the trombone!
Students will receive two thirty-minute lessons each week during the school day. Lessons are rotated on
a four-week schedule so they will not miss the same academic class more than once a month. A detailed
schedule of exact days and times will be distributed on September 18.
Beginning band will start lessons on Monday, September 21. By that time, each student who chooses
to participate must have an instrument with his/her name clearly labeled on the case. A list of highly
recommended brand name instruments and other required materials is located on the back of this letter.
I encourage you to take advantage of instrument rental plans available at all local music stores which
allow you to apply your monthly payments to the purchase cost. Please be aware that in recent years,
many poorly made instruments have been promoted over the Internet and in department stores. They
will be inexpensive but also so poorly made that instrument repair professionals refuse to work on
them. Do not buy or rent a music instrument from a store that sells clothing and/or food. Be sure that
the store you buy or rent from can also REPAIR your instrument if it breaks. Listed below are several
music stores that I recommend that offer competitive prices and rental plans for instruments.
Music and Arts Center
Mikes Music
Washington Music
Fulton/So Ho. Co.
Ellicott City
Wheaton
240-568-0600 (Very Close)
410-465-0700
301-946-2300
Baltimore Brass Co.
Catonsville
410-744-1723
Music is a discipline, which requires commitment. This commitment means that your child will be
required to attend all band classes (and make up missed class work), perform one day and evening
spring concert on May 18 and to practice for at least 15 minutes a day at home. Correct daily practice is
absolutely essential. Please evaluate your child’s schedule and be certain that learning to play a musical
instrument will be enough of a priority to ensure success.
To enroll your child in beginning band, please register online at our band and string website
www.GcesBandandStrings.weebly.com (bookmark). Registration information must be submitted by
Friday, September 11. Once you have registered your child, please rent and purchase the required
items listed on the back of this page. I look forward to seeing you and answering any questions you
may have at “Back to School Night.” If you have any immediate concerns, please do not hesitate to call
or email me at the school. Thank you in advance for supporting your child’s interest in music.
Sincerely,
Ronald D. Bowman
Important Dates:
Friday, September 11
Friday, September 18
Monday, September 21
Online Registration Deadline
Band Schedule Distribution
Band Classes Begin the Week of 9/21