2015-2016
Band
Orientation
Packet
Tracy Cupp
Band Director
817-299-5836
tracycupp@misdmail.org
www.moisband.weebly.com
What you need to know about the Mary Orr Tiger Band
Program and how to be a part of it.
Tiger Band
Pride
Dear “future band” parent,
The Mary Orr Band program is a yearlong program built for the young beginner
musician. We offer a wide selection of instruments for your child to choose from. Your child
does not have to have any type of musical experience to be a part of the band program. We
start the school year with an understanding that the majority of the student population does not
know how to play an instrument or even have the knowledge to read music. Within the year
that your child is in the program, we will teach them everything that they need to know to
become a successful young musician.
Band teaches cooperation, teamwork, and discipline. The skills we teach in band will
carry over into other academic subjects. Band is the largest organization at MOIS. Students
may start other electives in Middle or High School, however band is different. We only have
one beginning band and it is for the sixth grade. This is your child’s one chance to be a part of
the band and learn how to play an instrument. If your child is torn between band and another
elective, I recommend giving band a try in 6th grade. The 7th grade course selection allows for
students to be a part of band and choir or art.
This year, as you may know, your child has been rotating every 7 ½ weeks into a
different elective. In the Pre-Band class your child has had the opportunity to learn about all of
the different band instruments that we offer in our 6th grade beginner band program. The
students, after they had been introduced to all the instruments, were given the opportunity to
play on several of the band instruments. At that time I assessed if your child would be able to
produce a “first sound” on the instrument. I gave your child a score of 1-5 based on the initial
sounds that were produced with a score of 5 being the best. Finding a good match between
student and instrument is important. Since music is all about sound, choosing an instrument
based on its tone quality, or sound, is a good place to start. Beyond this are physical
considerations - factors such as hand size, dental structure, and mouth shape can have a big
impact on playing success. My goal is to help your child chose an instrument that they are
naturally suited for. If your child is unable to produce the characteristic initial sounds for an
instrument, more than likely they will not be as successful on that instrument and their first year
of band will not be a positive experience for them. I am dedicated to making sure your child
has a successful year in band with a desire to continue into their middle school and high
school years.
Your child will receive a green registration form to join band. On that registration form it
will have the score that your child received on each of the instruments. Your child may chose
from those instruments that they scored the highest as their instrument of choice for next year.
Simply fill out the bottom portion of the registration form and return to the Mary Orr Band (Mrs.
Cupp) by May 22nd. Please be aware that some instrument classes fill up faster than others
and enrollment into the classes will be on a “first come” basis.
Your next step will be to obtain an instrument and band supplies. I know that this can
feel like an overwhelming task. There are many options for you. 1 st we have music stores
coming to Mary Orr on May 26th, May 28th and June 2nd.. You can come by anytime between
4:00-7:00 pm. The music stores can help you get set up for next year. All instruments and
supplies will be delivered to Mary Orr before school starts and will be given to your child at
schedule pick-up. I recommend renting the instrument for the 1st year. If your child chooses to
continue band after the first year, the rental fees that have already been paid can go towards
the purchase of the instrument. The instruments that are available from the music store are:
Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone and Percussion
Other options are to check out ebay, Craig’s List, pawn shops and online retailers such as:
Musician’s Friend at www.musiciansfriend.com
Woodwind BrassWind at www.wwbw.com
Music 123 at www.music123.com
Musician’s Buy Line www.musiciansbuyline.com
Please be aware that if you obtain an instrument from ebay, craig’s list or a pawn shop
you will not be aware of the quality of the instrument that you are purchasing and will not have
a warranty on the instrument that you would receive from a music store. Please stick with the
preferred instrument list that is provided. These instruments have been found to be of
excellent quality and provide the student with an instrument that does not hinder their success.
You do not want to make the investment on an instrument and have your child not be
successful in band due to malfunctions within the quality of the instrument itself.
Some instruments are too expensive for us to ask you to purchase and are provided by
the school for a fee of $40 for the year. You will need to pay your $40 on the night of May 27th,
May 28th or June 2nd to reserve your school provided instrument as well as reserve your band
supplies from the music store. The school provided instruments are:
Oboe, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, French Horn, Euphonium and Tuba
We are excited about the possibility of your child being introduced to the discipline of
instrumental music. We typically see grades increase and study habits improve among band
students. A Canadian study in 1994 concluded that I.Q. for special reasoning increases as
much as 40% in children who study music. The program will follow your child through to
graduation if he chooses, and could provide him with scholarship money for college.
As a parent myself, I know that all this information is a lot to take in. Please know that I
am here to guide you through this process and make it a positive one not only for your child
but for you as well. Feel free to contact me anytime with questions that you may have. I hope
to see your child be a part of the Mary Orr Band program.
Tracy Cupp
Mary Orr Band Director
tracycupp@misdmial.org
817-299-5836
1) Is band a full year elective?
Band meets as an elective class for the entire year. Skills develop slowly at first; therefore, students and
parents must be patient and be committed for the entire year get the full benefit of the instrumental
program. One of the most appealing aspects of band is that band is a true vertical program designed
each year to ready students for the next level.
2) My child was told they would be playing a rental/purchased instrument. How do I go about
getting them an instrument?
For students playing a rental/purchased instrument -- flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and
percussion -- you have two options for obtaining an instrument.
Option 1: Renting or purchasing an instrument from a music store such as Music & Arts Center, Ellis
County Music. or Rivard Brothers Music Co. The vast majority of our students choose to rent an
instrument because it gives your child all the advantages of starting band with a brand new, high quality
instrument with an affordable investment on your part. Monthly instrument rental fees range from
approximately $30.00 – $50.00 depending on which instrument you’re renting, whether it is new or
used, and which company you are renting from. You will need to do some research to find the best deal
for you.
Option 2: Purchasing a new or used instrument on your own via the internet or other source. The
advice in this case is that you do intelligent and thorough research and choose wisely – not all band
instruments are made equally. There are varying degrees of cost vs. reliability, and our best advice is to
buy from a reliable source, and to get the instrument checked for condition before purchase by one of
the band directors or by a reputable instrument repairperson. Please stay away from band instruments
being sold at discount stores! These instruments are of poor quality and require repeated repairs. Your
child will only feel frustrated and disappointed by an instrument that is not in good working condition,
or an instrument that is of inferior quality.
3) My child was told that they would be playing a “school-owned” instrument. What is a “schoolowned” instrument and how do I get one?
“School-owned” instruments include oboe, bassoon, french horn, euphonium, and tuba. The value of
these instruments is very high and would make a monthly payment cost prohibitive. So if your child has
been chosen to play one of these instruments, they will be assigned a “school-owned” instrument to use
during their entire 6th grade year, and then by their future campus in subsequent years. You will be
responsible for paying a yearly “usage” fee of $40.00, plus the cost of a mouthpiece for the brass
instruments and reeds for bass clarinet, oboe and bassoon. You will also be responsible for the cost of
any necessary repairs incurred during the year.
We will hold an Instrument Drive Night on May 26th, May 28th and June 2nd from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
(come & go) in the Mary Orr Band Room. There will be representatives from local music stores
present that evening to initiate rental contracts and to order all necessary supplies your child will
need.
Make sure to check the attached list for the instrument and mouthpiece recommended by the band
directors before entering into any rental or purchase contract!
4) Will there be after-school or weekend commitments for beginning band?
There are very few out-of-school commitments in 6th grade band. Students will participate in the Solo
Contest, which is held on a Saturday in early April, and they will perform evening concerts in October,
December, and May. Students will also have one after school rehearsal in December, two in April and
one in May.
5) How is band set up differently in 6th grade versus subsequent years?
6th grade band classes are set up in groups of like instruments – all flutes meet together, all trumpets, etc.
Grouping like instruments accelerates skill building at the critical beginning stage. In grades 7-12,
students will be in a full band setting with other instruments daily.
6) Is beginning band offered in 7th or 8th grade?
Currently beginning band is offered in 7th or 8th grade at some of the MISD middle school campuses.
But the instrumentation is limited to those instruments which the band director has determined there is a
need for. For instance, there is little chance of beginning band in middle school on percussion or any of
the woodwind instruments.
7) Is home practice required?
At-home practice is essential for building and developing skills learned in class, and for developing the
muscles required to produce a characteristic sound. Students are required to submit weekly parentsigned practice records. Most students practice about 20 minutes per day.
8) Will the Tiger Band have actual performance opportunities?
Yes, many! Band students perform concerts in October, December and May, and also travel to the
Sandy Lake Funfest Band Competition in May to compete for an award and trophy. Students will also
have the opportunity to participate in the MISD Intermediate Schools Solo & Ensemble Contest in the
spring semester. We perform at an assembly for the 5th grade students and will be touring the
elementary schools this next year.
9) Looking ahead, can students participate in both band and sports in middle and high school?
Yes. In fact, a majority of the band students are involved in both band and sports. A good number of
band students are also involved in student government, clubs and organizations, and the National Honor
Society. Band students are typically high achievers, and many band students eventually earn a
scholarship to college as a member of the band.
For more information about any aspect of beginning band, contact Mrs. Cupp.
Tracy Cupp
MOIS Band Director
817-299-5836
tracycupp@misdmail.org
Instrument Selection Guide
Bassoon
Flute
(Rent from school)
(Purchase or rent from
music store)
French Horn
(Rent from school)
Clarinet
(Purchase or rent from music store)
Euphonium
(Rent from school)
Tuba
Bass Clarinet
(Rent from school)
(Rent from school)
Oboe
(Rent from school)
Alto Sax
Trumpet / Cornet
(Purchase or rent from
music store)
(Purchase or rent from music store)
Trombone
(purchase or rent from
music store)
Percussion
(Purchase or rent from
music store)
RECOMMENDED INSTRUMENTS AND SUPPLIES LIST 2015-2016
Contact the percussion director, Mr. Feldser, regarding instrument and supplies for
[Type a quote from the document or the summary of an interesting point. You can position the text box
percussion students.
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kevinfeldser@misdmail.org
Music Stores
Music & Arts Center
Arlington Highlands Shopping Center
4000 Five Points Boulevard
Suite 129
Arlington, TX 76018
817-466-8696
www.musicarts.com
Rivard Brothers
2425 W. Arkansas Lane
Arlington, TX 76013
817-459-2263
http://rivardbrothers.com/
Websites
Music and Arts
www.musicarts.com
Rivard Brothers Band Specialists
www.rivardbrothers.com
Musician’s Friend
www.musiciansfriend.com
Woodwind BrassWind
www.wwbw.com
Music 123
www.music123.com
Ellis County Music
100 Plaza Drive, Suite 300
Red Oak, TX 75154
972-617-9992
www.elliscountymusiccenter.com
Musician’s Buy Line
www.musiciansbuyline.com
Music Place Mansfield
2401 Callender Rd., Suite 111
Mansfield, TX 76063
817-225-6060
www.musicplacemansfield.com
Brook Mays Music
3801 S. Cooper St. Ste #117
Arlington, TX 76015
817-468-1500
www.brookmays.com
Lone Star Percussion
10611 Control Pl.
Dallas, TX 75238
214-340-0835
www.lonestarpercussion.com
Calendar of Events
May 22nd – Applications to join band are due
May 26th – Music and Arts will be at Mary Orr
4:00-7:00 PM in the band room
May 28th – Brook Mays Music will be at Mary Orr
4:00-7:00 PM in the band room
June 2nd – Ellis County Music will be at Mary Orr
4:00-7:00 PM in the band room