how to JOIN THE SCMS BAND PROGRAM
Sixth Grade Beginning Band
Common Myths, Questions, and Concerns:
Beginning middle school is overwhelming enough and band may be too much. The transition to middle school is made easier when a student has a community such as band to belong to. We refer to band as a "family" where students not only learn to play an instrument, but they develop life-long friendships and memories.
No one in my family is a musician. Many band students are the first ones in their family to play an instrument. It is our job to teach students everything about music and their future instrument from the very beginning.
My student was selected for STEM. Will they have to opt out of STEM to be in band? No! The schedule at SCMS allows for students to participate in both band and STEM.
Band interferes with athletics and after-school activities. Since band is a regular academic class, it does not interfere with athletics and other after-school activities. After-school rehearsals are rare and performances are scheduled with athletic activities in mind. It is important to note that the majority of our band members participate in athletics and/or other clubs!
Students will have to choose between band and other performing arts like choir and drama. Our SCMS Fine Arts department works diligently to avoid scheduling conflicts among our department. In fact, band students are HIGHLY encouraged to participate in choir and/or drama, we refer to these students as "triple-threats."
Instruments are expensive. While instruments can be expensive, most students rent their instrument through a music store. During our informational meeting, we will explain how your child can get a quality instrument for an affordable price. No student or family will ever be turned away over financial concerns.
Can students just wait until seventh or eighth grade to join band? Beginning Band is offered only during the sixth grade at SCMS. The program follows a sequential three-year curriculum and prerequisite musical skills are necessary for students to experience success in seventh and eighth grades.
Do students get to choose what instrument they play? Yes. The band directors will conduct an instrument fitting process to help students find the instrument(s) on which they will be most successful. After students receive guidance, students will pick their top 3 instrument choices. From there the directors will balance every student's choices with their "best fit." The one exception is percussion. Percussionists play BOTH mallet instruments and non-pitched percussion (drums) and an audition is required to play in the percussion section. More details about his process will be explained in our informational meeting.
What instruments are available in the band? In Beginning Band (6th grade), students can play flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, tuba, or percussion. The majority of students will play their originally chosen instrument throughout all three years of middle school band. *Note: percussionists play BOTH mallets and non-pitched percussion*
Beginning middle school is overwhelming enough and band may be too much. The transition to middle school is made easier when a student has a community such as band to belong to. We refer to band as a "family" where students not only learn to play an instrument, but they develop life-long friendships and memories.
No one in my family is a musician. Many band students are the first ones in their family to play an instrument. It is our job to teach students everything about music and their future instrument from the very beginning.
My student was selected for STEM. Will they have to opt out of STEM to be in band? No! The schedule at SCMS allows for students to participate in both band and STEM.
Band interferes with athletics and after-school activities. Since band is a regular academic class, it does not interfere with athletics and other after-school activities. After-school rehearsals are rare and performances are scheduled with athletic activities in mind. It is important to note that the majority of our band members participate in athletics and/or other clubs!
Students will have to choose between band and other performing arts like choir and drama. Our SCMS Fine Arts department works diligently to avoid scheduling conflicts among our department. In fact, band students are HIGHLY encouraged to participate in choir and/or drama, we refer to these students as "triple-threats."
Instruments are expensive. While instruments can be expensive, most students rent their instrument through a music store. During our informational meeting, we will explain how your child can get a quality instrument for an affordable price. No student or family will ever be turned away over financial concerns.
Can students just wait until seventh or eighth grade to join band? Beginning Band is offered only during the sixth grade at SCMS. The program follows a sequential three-year curriculum and prerequisite musical skills are necessary for students to experience success in seventh and eighth grades.
Do students get to choose what instrument they play? Yes. The band directors will conduct an instrument fitting process to help students find the instrument(s) on which they will be most successful. After students receive guidance, students will pick their top 3 instrument choices. From there the directors will balance every student's choices with their "best fit." The one exception is percussion. Percussionists play BOTH mallet instruments and non-pitched percussion (drums) and an audition is required to play in the percussion section. More details about his process will be explained in our informational meeting.
What instruments are available in the band? In Beginning Band (6th grade), students can play flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, tuba, or percussion. The majority of students will play their originally chosen instrument throughout all three years of middle school band. *Note: percussionists play BOTH mallets and non-pitched percussion*
