Welcome all Beginning Band Students!
Welcome to the Band! Entering the beginning band ensemble is your first step towards a wonderful journey of music. On this page you will be able to find all relevant postings to your class. All of your schedules, assignments, letters, and study materials will be here for your convenience. On other pages you will be able to find everything that you may need to make your first steps into the music world a positive experience. Welcome again to the band family.
Overview of the Program
Beginning Band is where students start their musical journey into instrumental music. We learn about standard notation, the basics of our instruments, and develop fluency in musical literacy so to understand what is written. Everything we learn in Beginning Band is used in the later years of Band - so it is really important that students build a strong foundation to grow from. Students will be using the Measures of Success Book 1 for ensemble study plus supplemental materials provided. Each student will have their own progress chart where students can keep track of what skills they need to reach and when. This will allow students who are struggling to get extra help on those specific items yet provide advanced students direction on where to go once they have met their achievement goals. Every Friday will be a playing check date or an individual progress day where students can meet with me and get extra help. During this first year of playing an instrument, positive practice habits are a must. We will be going over how to establish healthy practice habits and how to grow from what we are learning. For extra help and guidance, check out our Practice Page for students and our Band Parent Page for specifics to help the parent(s)/guardian(s) of our amazing musicians.
The items that the students will be using in this class are:
You can purchase your book either at any of the music stores in town. If you prefer online, order yours by selecting the instrument:
Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone/Euphonium, Tuba, Percussion (percussion book is more costly as it is 2 books in 1) |
Beginning Band Supply List: In addition to the items above, students are required to have the following for daily supply:
- Box of 10 Reeds lvl 2 - 2.5 (clarinets/saxophones only)
- Cleaning Kit for specific instrument
- Working Instrument
- Binder (1 ½ inch)
- Page protectors (a single package will last them awhile)
- Pencils
Beginning Band Trimester Skill Checklists
As each person advances at an individual rate, these progress charts are for students and parents to get a better idea on where they are in their learning. These progress charts will show the learning goals per week for each trimester. If you - as a parent or learner - want to know where you should be in your learning by when, please check out these progress charts. Please note, however, that these progress charts are general goals. Some students may gain proficiency faster than others whereas others may struggle. If you feel that you, or your student, is struggling, please feel free to contact me either through email or through the contact form at the home page.
Getting Instruments - Where Can I Get One? What can I do if I can't afford one or need help with supplies?
- You can go to any of the music stores in town to rent an instrument or purchase one. Many have rent-to-buy programs as well. This way you can get a high quality instrument for a reasonable price a month. Piano Gallery, Main Street Music, Sweetwater Music, Musicians Friend, Woodwind and Brasswind, and Chesbro are all good places to start. If you need more information, please look at my article on "Renting vs. Buying". I also have purchasing guides for specific instruments lower on this page for your convenience.
- Online rental stores are also available! For example, you can go to the NEMC rental website for getting an instrument. They even have a "rent to buy" program! Currently, many instruments are available for as low as $27 per month! This is a guarantee in getting a high quality instrument for an easy payment method that is very affordable. Main Street Music is the local dealer here in Pocatello for the NEMC (National Education Music Company) rental program. If purchasing an instrument is out of your financial ability, look at renting one from them! There are also other online rental options as well including RentMyInstrument and the national Music & Arts Rental program.
- You can purchase instruments using the Empowering Parents grant provided through the state! All you need to do is sign up for the grant, get your instrument through a registered vendor, and keep a copy of your receipt for the grant proof!
- Ask a relative about using their instrument. Several people have good instruments lying around the house just waiting to be used, but beware that you may have to put some money into them to get them ready to play again. Bring them to the rental night in the fall to be checked for possible repairs or contact your teacher directly.
- Craig’s list, ebay, or KSL.com usually have instruments for sale. Start looking now for a good deal on a quality instrument. Make an offer they can’t refuse. Be careful not to buy cheap NEW instruments ($200 or less) because you can be certain they will cost you a lot more in repairs. For help, take a look at my instrument guides lower down in the page.
- Warning: Colored instruments (purple flute, blue trumpet, red saxophone, etc.) are generally very cheap instruments that cannot be repaired if they become damaged – thus it is a good idea to steer clear of them. If you are uncertain, call your teacher with concerns. Medini, Glory, Eastar, Cecilio, and other band instruments that you can buy from Target, Walmart, or Amazon that are under $200, I caution families to stay away from. These instruments break and many are irreparable when damaged. They may save money at first, but I have found the average life span of these instruments to be about 3 to 4 months with average use and care. Medini kits for percussion are okay, but they are prone to breaking if mishandled.
What if I need help with supplies or I cannot afford an instrument?
The district has a few instruments for rent for students who are economically disadvantaged and who show great potential in music. These are limited and are only for those who qualify.
They will be available in the fall for a one year lease. They are on a first-come-first-served basis and are limited to the supply I have available. These instruments are frequently not "brand new" and will have sign of wear. However, these instruments work and I do my best to maintain a working supply. I cannot supply all the instruments for all band students, as much as that would be amazing. The instrument supply is restricted to those who qualify or has been declared in great need.
Students who qualify for free-reduced lunch are qualified for these instruments provided they:
I also have, due to the graciousness of the district supply and the amazing work of our fundraiser work, a collection of books and instrument supplies that accompany these instrument rentals. It is highly recommended that families purchase the instrument method books so they may write in them (students may not write in school books).
I do what I can to assist families. IF you are unsure, or need more help, please reach out to me.
They will be available in the fall for a one year lease. They are on a first-come-first-served basis and are limited to the supply I have available. These instruments are frequently not "brand new" and will have sign of wear. However, these instruments work and I do my best to maintain a working supply. I cannot supply all the instruments for all band students, as much as that would be amazing. The instrument supply is restricted to those who qualify or has been declared in great need.
Students who qualify for free-reduced lunch are qualified for these instruments provided they:
- Stay in band
- Treat the instrument properly and care for it as they are supposed to
- Do not partake in any illegal activities, drug usage, or under-age drinking
I also have, due to the graciousness of the district supply and the amazing work of our fundraiser work, a collection of books and instrument supplies that accompany these instrument rentals. It is highly recommended that families purchase the instrument method books so they may write in them (students may not write in school books).
I do what I can to assist families. IF you are unsure, or need more help, please reach out to me.
What models of instruments do you recommend?
Not know where to start? May you are struggling to determine what is considered "good" for your learner? Select the instrument you wish to know more about. If you are unsure about what instrument your learner may be interested in, take a look at our partner page Be A Part Of Music and check out our instrument demonstrations!
Please note: Horn and Baritones for purchase fall under a different "category" as these instruments are often - if they are rented - high quality and there is little concern regarding their playability. If you are interested in purchasing an instrument flat-out, they will take you to the "step-up" guide for these instruments as it will save you money in the long run for the truly dedicated student. Renting a Single French Horn (also known as a Single Horn) is just fine for the beginner, but once a student is in their second year, it is strongly recommended they get a double horn. Double horns are not common in the rental world, hence the guide being the way it is. Baritones are usually rented by the school to students unless that student wants one of their own.
Important Dates
- December 13th @ 11 AM (attendance of families with last names A - K) in the Hawthorne Middle School Gym
- December 13th @ 2:30 PM (attendance of families with last names L - Z) in the Hawthorne Middle School Gym
- May 14th @ 6:00 PM in the Hawthorne Middle School Gym. Beginning Band students and families are welcome to stay for the second half of the concert or leave as they need to.
- May 17th (during the day): Middle School Large Ensemble Festival @ FMS. All students must wear their nice clothing (please refer to the handbook for details). This will be an all-day event where we leave from the school and then come back so students will be returning home their usual way. Chaperones are greatly appreciated.