Grant County Band Department

Instrument Choices

It is important for parents and students to understand that anybody can learn to play a musical instrument!  At Grant County Middle School all 6^th graders have the opportunity to take band as a class every day during school.  Mrs. Owens will be their teacher and she teaches two classes of 6^th grade band.  The band program in Grant County is one of the most successful organizations that a student can become a part of and membership in the band program has grown by over 35% in recent years.  There are currently 160 band members in grades 6-12 and we’re hoping your child will want to be a part of this outstanding organization!    

On the attached sign-up form, students will need to check a box for the brass, woodwinds, or percussion.  All students will be evaluated by Mrs. Owens and the high school director, Mr. Dale, to see what instruments may be the best choice for them.  They look at physical characteristics like face/mouth structure (lips, teeth, etc.), physical size, hand/finger size, and they may also check students’ ability to copy rhythms or to match pitches.  Based on these observations, the directors will make some recommendations to parents. That being said, the following is a list of instruments students can learn in 6^th grade band. 

  

WOODWINDS	BRASS
flute	trumpet
clarinet	trombone
bass clarinet	baritone
oboe
alto saxophone

All students choosing percussion will begin with a bell kit.  By learning mallet percussion (like bells, xylophone, marimba, etc) first, students learn to read music and rhythm more effectively.  Many other instruments will be learned later.  It is important for percussion students to know that we do not teach drum set, but what we teach can be applied later to the drum set.

 Please read the attached Frequently Asked Questions sheet for some important answers about renting instruments and being in band.

 

Band Registration Form

(Please have a parent fill out – please print)

 

Student Name:  ________________________________________

                        □          Male

                        □          Female

 

Parent Name:   ________________________________________

Street Address:  _______________________________________

City, State, ZIP: _______________________________________

Contact numbers:  (          )  ____________ best time to call?  ____________

                              (          )  ____________ best time to call?  ____________

                              (          )  ____________ best time to call?  ____________

 Email address:  ________________________________________

□          Register my child for 6^th grade band

 □          I need to be contacted by a director to get more information  before I make a decision

 □    CHECK THIS BOX FOR BRASS INSTRUMENTS

 □    CHECK THIS BOX FOR WOODWINDS INSTRUMENTS

 □   CHECK THIS BOX FOR PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS

      

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Parent Signature