In the words of the famous musical, The Sound of Music, “let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start!” Our beginner classes are a wonderful introduction to the world of music for the uninitiated, and a good refresher for students who
may have some exposure to music prior to entering 6th grade. We teach music fundamentals, instrument care and maintenance, and of course, begin our students on the path of learning an instrument.
We’ve included some helpful FAQs below, and we’re working on videos demonstrating each instrument so your son or daughter can “window shop” a little bit if they like. If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact a director using the form
at the bottom of the page.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does beginner band start?
Beginner band begins for all interested students in 6th grade. During their 5th grade year band directors will reach out to all 5th grade students and parents to talk with them about band.
What instruments are used in 6th grade band?
The instruments that we use in 6th grade band are flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, and percussion.
How is beginner band set up?
Each instrument meets as a separate section each day in class (ex. all trumpets with trumpets, all clarinets with clarinets, etc). This helps us keep class sizes small and ensures that each student receives the most personal attention possible.
What are the goals of the band program?
Our goals are to encourage and promote musical technique so that our students gain a higher appreciation in music throughout the rest of their lives. Music has also been shown to provide numerous benefits to education. For information from the
National Association from Music Educators about some of these benefits, ( click here )
How much time outside of class am I expected to practice?
While we try to cover any issues with our concert repertoire in class, we encourage our students to practice a minimum of 120 minutes a week (2 hours) outside of class. This helps our students to continue to reinforce what we teach during class
as well as further their own playing ability.
Can my child participate in both athletics and band?
The answer is absolutely YES! We want our students to be as well-rounded as possible! In fact, Mr. Sanchez played football in High School. We only ask that students and parents let us know when there is a conflict so that we can resolve it and
come up with a better solution for everyone.
What is Charms?
Charms is a program that we use to communicate with our students and parents. It allows us to help you keep track any band expenses as well as fundraising balances for your child. You can check the time of the next concert or directly message
the directors about a question you may have.
When does the band perform?
All band events will be posted on Charms so that students and families may plan accordingly. In the weeks approaching the concert, directors will pass out information regarding attire, concert itinerary and concert order. As always, please feel
free to e-mail or call us if there are issues with dates or times.
Do the students go on any trips?
Yes! We like to reward our students for all of the hard work they put in over the year! This year, we’re looking to take our students on a field trip in the spring semester. Details of the trip will be made available in the spring semester.
What materials are required for class?
Our band boosters help us provide each student with a method book and 1″ 3-ring binder to hold their music. Students are assigned a $2 fee in order to help pay for this purchase. We only ask that students bring a pencil with them EVERY DAY to class.
Do I need to purchase an instrument or can I borrow one from the school?
All students are encouraged to own their own instrument with certain exceptions (French Horn, Baritone, Tuba, Percussion). We do have instruments available for rent for interested students. An annual fee will be applied to their Charms account
in order to cover any maintenance throughout the school year.
Are private lessons available for students that are interested?
We LOVE when our students want to have more individualized instruction on their instrument. We wish that we could give each student that level of attention every day, but with 50-100 students in each class and 50 minutes of class time, it’s simply
not possible. We currently offer private lessons on flute but as we have more students wishing to take lessons, we will continue to add on to our private lesson staff. A scholarship to pay half of your child’s lesson fees are available through our
Gatesville Band Boosters. Speak with a director for more information.
My child is getting braces soon… will they still be able to play their instrument?
When a child first gets braces, it can be uncomfortable. It is actually rare for braces to prevent a child from playing their instrument. After the braces are placed, students are able to adjust to them or use wax to continue to play their instruments. We also provide “bumpers” for students to place on their brackets to keep them from rubbing their gums while playing. Ask a director for more information.