1	Agenda Welcome! Instrument demonstrations Questions Percussion Aptitude Tests Collect Registration forms (have until May 8 to turn in)
2	Choosing an Instrument to Play in 5^th Grade Band at Westwood Elementary School
3	Learning Music Through the 5^th Grade Band Program at WI
4	Spring Lake Park’s Band Department Website This website is an excellent source of up-to-date information about the band program. Many of the common communication items such as practice charts, announcements, and concert dates can be easily located on it. Please explore it freely and check back as time goes by for current announcements.
5	Westwood Band Department Overview Music is an integral factor in a student’s whole education. Band is one way of studying music. 5^th grade band is full school year commitment. In 5^th grade: Groups are instrument lessons that meet every 7-8 school days. “Big Band” consists of like-instrument family rehearsals that meet weekly beginning in February.
6	Responsibilities Being in band involves responsibilities on both the parts of students and parents. It is essential that these responsibilities be upheld as students become better musicians through the addition of new skills and new obligations. Both parent and student must be committed to continue in band throughout the entire school year.
7	Support from Home In order for students to be successful, parents must … Provide a quiet place for practice Encourage regular practice in a positive manner Provide a working instrument that is in good condition for the time the student participates in band Commit with your child to a full year band experience.
8	Skills Needed to Become a Good Band Student In order for students to be successful, they must … PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE on a daily basis Show commitment in their study by sticking with their decision to continue band throughout the school year Keep their instrument in good condition Attend band practices
9	Instrument Families Band instruments are divided into three categories, each with specific pros and cons depending on the ability and support of the student. Instrument families need to have a proper balance in a band in order for the band to perform successfully. Choose a link to explore each instrument family further.
10	Proper Band Instrumentation A band must have proper instrumentation in order to be successful. This means that there are certain needs for certain numbers of instruments. Students need to chose three instruments they would feel comfortable playing in order that the band can be properly balanced, and this is why students may not receive their first choice.
11	The Perfect Band as a Percentage
12	The Woodwind Family The woodwind family gets its name from the process of blowing air across a wood reed in order to produce a sound. All of these instruments use reeds except for the flute. Reed cost can range from $15-28 for a box of 10 reeds, (depending upon instrument & reed brand), which contains approximately ten reeds, and students will go through about two reeds per month in a regular practice schedule.
13	Flute The flute does not use a reed. The player blows across a tone hole to produce the sound. It is not a “girl’s” instrument … in fact, many very successful flutists are men. Players have to be aware that they will not be able to see their hands as they play this instrument.
14	Oboe The oboe is one of two double reed instruments in the woodwind family. This means that the sound is produced by a reed that actually consists of two separate pieces that vibrate against each other. Reeds generally cost $8-10 a piece, but last longer. The oboe requires a good ear, as it’s pitch can vary greatly within a single note. Outside private oboe lessons are strongly recommended.
15	Clarinet & Bass Clarinet The clarinet often carries melody lines within the band. The bass clarinet supports the bass lines in music and has fewer players then clarinet in a band. The bass clarinet is a school-owned instrument and considerably larger then clarinet Both instruments use single reeds.
16	Alto & Tenor Saxophone The saxophone is a “cross” between a woodwind & a brass due to it’s single reed and metal body. Students who choose saxophone (especially alto) need to feel very comfortable with their second and third choices as there is a greater chance not to get their first choice due to high interest in the alto. They are expensive instruments. They often play melody lines in the music. The tenor saxophone plays lower lines closer to that of low brass instruments & is larger than the alto.
17	Bassoon The bassoon is one of two double reed instruments in the woodwind family. This means that the sound is produced by a reed that consists of two separate pieces that vibrate against each other. Students who study bassoon are required to take outside private lessons. Reeds generally cost $10-12 a piece, but last longer. The bassoon requires a good ear, as it’s pitch can vary greatly within a single note. The bassoon is a school-owned instrument.
18	The Brass Family The brass family uses a technique known as buzzing to produce a sound on a mouthpiece that is amplified by the brass instrument. All brass instruments are played with mouthpieces that are the same shape, but vary in size based on the pitch if the instrument.
19	Trumpet The trumpet is a brass instrument who’s mouthpiece is the smallest and has a shallow cup. Students must use a lot of air and develop the muscles around their lips to produce sound on the trumpet. Trumpets often play the melody lines in music and must be able to play out with confidence.
20	French Horn The French Horn player must have a a good sense of pitch, and have patience to hit correct pitches. In the brass family, this is one of the more difficult instruments for the beginning player to establish pitch and students need to make a commitment. French Horns are owned by the school and students will move into “double” horn in the middle school years. If you choose to purchase a french horn, please talk to the band directors for guidance.
21	Trombone The trombone is the only brass instrument that does not use valves, but instead has a slide that is used to change pitches. It requires a good sense of pitch and students must use a lot of air and develop the muscles around their lips to produce sound on the trombone. Trombone players are generally in need in most bands, and students who pick it will most likely receive their first choice.
22	Euphonium The euphonium plays much of the same music as the trombone with the exception that has valves instead of slide. Euphoniums are generally in need in most bands. It is a school owned instrument and is limited to the number of instruments the school can provide. Euphoniums are owned by the school and due to size and weight of the case, one is provided for home practice, as well as one for in-school use.
23	Tuba The tuba is quite possibly the most important instrument in any band. It provides the bass line of music that the rest of the instruments build upon. It is not heavy, but can be a bit bulky. Tubas are owned by the school and one is provided for home practice, as well as one for in-school use. Players must be dedicated in their practice as they play a crucial role in the success of the group.
24	The Percussion Family
25	Non-Pitched Percussion Once students have learned pitched percussion instruments, they are ready to move on to the non-pitched instruments. These instruments take much more patience to play as they sometimes have few opportunities to be heard. Click on the non-pitched instruments below to hear what they sound like.
26	Pitched Percussion Beginning students spend the majority of their time learning note names and rhythms on pitched percussion instruments. Click on the pitched instruments below to hear what they sound like.
27	School-Owned Instruments Westwood Schools owns all Bass Clarinets, Bassoons, French Horns, Euphoniums, Tubas. Students wishing to play Bassoon or Bass Clarinet will be issued one instrument for $95 per school year. They will need to purchase their own reeds & other supplies. Students wishing to play French Horn will be issued one instrument to practice at home and possibly one to play at school, depending on supply & demand, for $95 per year. Purchasing their own mouthpiece is optional, but recommended. Students wishing to play Euphonium or Tuba will be issued one instrument to practice at home and one to play at school for $95 per year. Purchasing their own mouthpiece is optional, but recommended.
28	School-Owned Instruments All students are expected to keep school-owned instruments in good working condition and are responsible for any damages due to negligence. Westwood will pay for any repair needed due to regular use of all school-owned instruments.
29	6^th Grade Band Registration When you feel you have enough information, please print out the registration form, fill it out, and send it to Julie Seiler at WI. Registrations must be filled out completely (please print clearly). All students are expected to make three choices of instruments they would feel comfortable playing in order to be fair to all. Registrations without three choices will not ensure any one instrument. Please note any specific needs or points of interest on the form, i.e. previous piano lessons. Forms must be received by Fri., May 8 in order to properly fit instrumentation.
30	Thank You !!!