Welcome
to the
Rockvale Middle
School Band
Band Directors
• Kathy Quarto
• Debbie Hice
Be Part of the Band!
• What is band? (15
minute video clip –
click here)
• Why should my child
be in band? (5
minute video clip –
click here)
What will your child learn in band?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
How to play an instrument
Organizational skills
Leadership skills
How to work with others as a part of a team
Reading and language skills
Mathematical reasoning
Artistic interpretation
Creativity
Commitment & work ethic
Self evaluation skills
Writing skills
Problem Solving
Study Skills
Fitting Day – Saturday, August 29
• Sign up for a time tonight (8am-1pm Sat)
• Plan to be at the school for at least an hour
• Director will guide your child through the
instrument fitting process
• Instruments to be fitted:
–
–
–
–
–
Flute
Clarinet
Trumpet
Trombone
Percussion (this will take place prior to August 29)
Other Fitting Day Options
• If you are unable to make the fitting day on
August 29, see Mrs. Quarto or Mrs. Hice for an
alternate after-school time
Beginning Instruments
• Beginning Band
students will start on
these instruments
•
•
•
•
•
Flute
Clarinet
Trumpet
Trombone
Mallet Percussion
Advanced Instruments
• Students who are doing
well on their initial
instrument may
audition for one of the
following in December.
Regular practice at
home is a must.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone
Tenor Saxophone
F Horn
Baritone
Tuba
Drums & Accessory
Percussion
Instrument Fitting
• You are free to rent an instrument from any
reputable music store
• The Music Stop will be at the school with
instruments to rent and materials to purchase
for your convenience
• Please do not rent or purchase an instrument
before your child has been through the final
fitting process
Costs / Investment
•
•
•
•
•
Instrument
Instrument Accessories
Method Book ($9-$15)
Pep Band t-shirt (optional)
Dress slacks/skirt/dress, dress
shirt/blouse/dress shoes
• Audition fees – Solo & Ensemble (optional)
Instrument
• Large instruments (tuba, baritone, F Horn, bari sax,
tenor sax, bass clarinet) are rented from the school
– $50 per semester
• Small instruments (flute, clarinet, alto sax, trumpet,
trombone, bell set/practice pad) are rented from a
music store if not owned by the student
• Percussion instruments (marimba, xylophone,
vibraphone, bells, bass drum, drum set, timpani, snare
drum, cymbals, etc)
• $25 per year user fee
• Percussion pack – marimba mallets, xylo/bell mallets, snare drum
sticks, mallet bag (may purchase or rent from school)
– $50 purchase / $25 per year rental
Instrument Rental
• All music stores offer a rental program
• Costs are basically the same
• Some include insurance, some offer it as an addon (you need insurance)
• Beware of hidden costs/fees
• Initial cost is $25-$35 for the first 3 months
• After the first 3 months, you can
– Purchase the instrument
– Purchase a used or new instrument
• Check with Band directors on brands
• Beware of extremely cheap instruments at pawn shops, online, or at big box stores (You get what you pay for)
– Continue to rent to own
Method Book
6th Grade
• Essential Elements 2000
Book 1
Accessories
Woodwinds
Brass/Percussion
• Clarinets/Saxes
• Trumpets/Baritones/Tubas
– Reeds
– Cleaning Swab
– Cork Grease
• Flutes
– Cleaning Rod
– Cleaning Cloth
– Valve oil / Slide Grease
• F Horns
– Rotary Valve Oil / Slide Grease
• Trombones
– Slide Oil / Tuning Slide Grease
• Percussion
– Drum Sticks, Marimba & Xylo
Mallets, Practice Bells,
Practice Pad, mallet bag
Smart Music
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Practice Program
For PC or Mac
App available on Ipad
Optional Home subscription
Access to all music in method books
Sightreading
Hundreds of songs
$40/year for home subscription
www.smartmusic.com
Smart Music
Performance Attire
Optional
• Tie-Dye Band T-shirt
– $15
– Will use next year as pep
band shirt
Concerts
•
•
•
•
Dress Up Clothes
Dress Slacks/Skirt/Dress
Dress Shoes
Ties are optional
Practicing
Success
Required Performances
• December Concert
• March Concert
• Solo & Ensemble Classroom Performances
Winter Band Concert
• Tuesday, December 1
• RMS Auditorium
o 5:45 warm-up
o 6:30 concert begins
• Concert attire
o Dress up clothes
o Dress pants, dress or skirt &
blouse (no jeans)
o Dress shoes & socks (no tennis
shoes)
Solo & Ensemble
Classroom Performances
• School day in May (date TBA)
• Students perform solos & ensembles for 6th grade
classrooms
• Takes place during the school day
• Students wear regular school clothes
Spring Band Concert
• Tuesday, March 22
• RMS auditorium
o 5:45 warm-up
o 6:30 concert
begins
• Concert Attire
Optional Recommended Performances
• All Rutherford County All Star Band (students
selected by directors)
• Solo & Ensemble Performance Assessment
Rutherford County All Star Band
• Rutherford County Middle School (TBA)
• Friday, May 13 – date may change
– Rehearsal during the day
– Evening concert
o Parents provide transportation to and from
rehearsals / performance
Solo & Ensemble Festival Assessment
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
HIGHLY Recommended
98% of RMS students participate
Eagleville School
Each student prepares a piece to perform as a soloist
or as a part of a small ensemble
Each event is evaluated and rated by a judge
Students receive a rating sheet and a medal for 1st &
2nd place ratings
Students are evaluated against a standard of excellence
– not ranked against each other
Parents provide transportation
Parent Help
• Encourage your child to practice
– Help them to set up a regular time and place to practice
•
•
•
•
Sign practice record each week to be turned in Monday
Transport your child to and attend performances
Poinsettia Fundraiser help
Let the directors know of any issues that may affect
your child’s learning
• What do we need for band? Tissues, disinfecting
wipes, hand sanitizer
• Help with set-up, serving and clean-up for receptions
after concerts
Grading
•
•
•
•
Rehearsal Technique
Practicing
Performances
Written
Assignments
• Playing Tests
(Performance
Assessments)
Private Instructors
• Rebecca Murphy – flute
• Rachel Grasso – clarinet
• Karl Wingruber – sax, flute, clarinet, bassoon,
bass
• Mike George – brass (trumpet, F Horn,
trombone, baritone, tuba)
• Wilson Sharpe - oboe, bassoon, brass
• Tim Hale – percussion
Where Does My Child
Get a Band Instrument?
•
•
•
•
•
Basic information
Some options:
Music Stop
Music & Arts Center
Concert Productions
Sign up for Band Fittings
• 3 Saturday sign-up sheets
• A few after school options
– See Mrs. Quarto / Mrs. Hice
Be sure to have your child turn in the yellow
band registration form