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 add-on (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, on-line, 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• Clarinets/Saxes

– Reeds– Cleaning Swab– Cork Grease

• Flutes– Cleaning Rod– Cleaning Cloth

Brass/Percussion• Trumpets/Baritones/Tubas

– 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

o5:45 warm-upo6:30 concert begins

• Concert attireoDress up clothesoDress pants, dress or skirt &

blouse (no jeans)oDress 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

o5:45 warm-upo6:30 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