Frequently Asked Questions about our 6th Grade Beginning Band Programs

What is Beginning Band?

Beginning Band is an introduction to the world of instrumental music and allows your student the opportunity to learn to read music and play a musical instrument.  Instruction takes place during the regular school day.  Beginning Band is offered in each of our elementary feeder schools (Bristow, North Warren, Oakland & Richardsville), and is taught by either Mr. Johnathan Cline (WEHS Band Director) or Mr. Cedrick Leavell (WEMS Band Director).

How does Beginning Band work?

In mid-August, Mr. Cline or Mr. Leavell will come to your student's school and talk to them about participating in Beginning Band and demonstrate each of the instruments that the students can choose.  In late August or early September, we will set up a parent meeting which all parents and students need to attend.  At this meeting, students will get to try each of the instruments and parents will set up rental through Royal Music.

Instruments will be delivered to school in early September.  Once instruments have been delivered, Mr. Cline or Mr. Leavell will come two or three times each week to teach the students.  All instruction takes place during the school day.  At the end of each semester (in December & May), the students will come together to put on a concert to show off their skills.  These concerts are very important and it is necessary that all students attend.

Why should my student participate in Beginning Band?

The short answer - it's FUN!

The longer answer:  Studies show that students who participate in the arts tend to be more creative, have better grades, stay out out trouble, and receive more collegiate scholarship assistance than other students.  Being in Band allows your student to participate in an academic & extra-curricular activity that is very structured and worthwhile.

On what instruments can my student begin?

For our 6th grade beginners, we currently start students on one of six instrument choices:  Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, and Percussion.

How much does it cost?

Costs for participation in the 6th Grade Beginning Band are minimal - only the cost of renting an instrument ($30-60 per month, depending on which instrument is selected), and the cost of a book (a one time expense of about $10), which can be used through the student's 7th grade year.

My student wants to participate, but we can't afford an instrument rental.  What do we do?

Mr. Cline and Mr. Leavell strongly believe that finances should not prohibit a student from participating in band.  For students with extreme financial need, we have a very limited supply of school-owned instruments that can be checked out to the students.  There is a rental fee of $25.00 for the entire year to cover wear & tear on the instrument.  You will also be responsible for purchasing a book for your instrument (a one-time expense of about $10).

Please note:  Our selection of school-owned instruments is extremely limited.  Your student may not get to play their first or second choice instrument.

My student tried Beginning Band, but doesn't like it.  What do we do?

One of the purposes of Beginning Band is to see whether playing an instrument is right for that student.  While most of our students greatly enjoy playing their instrument, from time to time, a student may express an interest in quitting Band.  There are several reasons this may occur:  difficulty in learning to read music, frustration in playing the instrument, lack of interest in learning music, and others.

Should your student express this interest, there are a few steps that we will take, based on the reasoning behind their dislike.  These steps may involve one-on-one instruction with the student on learning to read music or specific techniques on their instrument or switching to a new instrument (if the instrument is causing them difficulty).  

Ultimately, though, the decision to continue in Band is up to the student and their parents.  While we want every student to have a positive Band experience, we recognize that Band is not for every student.  Should your student still wish to quit after these intervening steps have been taken, they will be given a letter to take home to the parents to be returned with a signature confirming that they no longer wish to participate in Band.

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