| Week#07 | Mon11/17 | Tues11/18 | Wed11/19 | Thurs11/20 | Fri11/21 |
| 7:45 | Adv.Band | Adv.Band | Adv.Band | ||
| 8:30 | F | K | P | U | no lessons |
| 9:00 | G | L | Q | V | MrW |
| 9:30 | H | M | R | W | is attending |
| 10:00 | I | N | S | X | a conference |
| 10:30 | J | O | T | Y | after band ends |
| Week#08 | Mon11/24 | Tues11/25 | Wed11/26 | Thurs11/27 | Fri11/28 |
| 7:45 | Adv.Band | Adv.Band PAJAMAS | |||
| 8:30 | E | J | |||
| 9:00 | F | K | |||
| 9:30 | G | L | |||
| 10:00 | H | M | |||
| 10:30 | I | N |
The Beginning Band Program
COMMITMENT: All students are asked to make a minimum one-year commitment to their instrument of choice. Only if for some physical reason, you or I feel that your child is having difficulty in succeeding on the instrument, I will be receptive to changing instruments.
Since I began directing the program in
LESSONS: All students are scheduled for a rotating half-hour lesson each week during the school day between 8:30 and 11:00a. Each student is asked to bring his/her instrument, lesson book, and a working pencil to their lesson. If the student does forget, and no one is able to bring them to school in time, the student is still expected to come to the lesson. When a student does miss a lesson, the student should continue practicing the previously assigned lessons. All students must make up all classroom work missed during the half-hour lesson. This has usually not been a problem in the past.
The first lesson will be longer than a half-hour for some instrument groups. This is necessary to help the student get started.
REHEARSALS: On the first Tuesday or Thursday of February, the beginning instrumental students begin their band ensemble experience with rehearsals before school on both Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 7:45am (they should arrive between 7:30a and 7:40a to be ready to start). These rehearsals are required along with the weekly scheduled lesson. Students may be dropped off or may ride the high school bus which will drop them off at
Daily Practice (Homework)
How much should someone practice?
Every child and family is different in what is "needed" to be successful with a band assignment, just as different students take different amounts of time to complete the same classroom homework assignment. The real key is to develop a routine weekly practice schedule that balances all the student's commitments.
I recommend that the total weekly practice time as a beginner should not be less than 15 minutes a day for at least 4 days a week to start. By December, this amount should increase to 30 minutes a day for 4 days a week. There is nothing magic about these numbers - again it is more about having a schedule to practice.
However, all students will succeed when they follow this daily practice schedule, unless there is another underlying reason they are having difficulty. Parents need to help their children meet this practice commitment. Practicing is the same as homework – it reinforces and solidifies concepts and materials presented during weekly lessons and band rehearsals.
Students will receive a Home Practice Log to track their assignments, lesson days, and personal practice time.
FAQs for Beginning Band
Does my child have to read music to join Beginning Band?
Students are NOT expected to already be able to read music notation to join the band.
Does my child have to already play an instrument to join Beginning Band?
Students are NOT expected to already be able to play an instrument to join the band.
What year in school should my child start Beginning Band?
In the Granby Public Schools, band instruction begins in the 4th grade. Experience says that starting "late" is a significant disadvantage that is best overcome by acquiring a private instructor in addition to the regular instrumental lesson instruction. Parents should be aware that band is a progressive and sequential course of instruction - much like mathematics or foreign language. Students that start in the 5th grade are a year behind in instruction and typically don't do as well.
Going to a new school seems to be such a significant adjustment for a 4th grader. Wouldn't it be better to wait until 5th grade to start band?
We have found that being able to have a positive peer group (like the band) to identify with from the beginning of the East Meadow School years is one of the best ways to make the change easily. Band provides an instant peer group that is focused in and on a positive activity. Band students on the average are some of the most successful students in the school.
How do I get an instrument for my child?
Gerry’s Music Shop of South Hadley services the Granby Music Program with weekly visits to Mr. Williams. That store is where the director recommends that parents go to get an instrument. Parents can shop where ever they would like, this is just a recommended store that serves the school.
How often do band classes meet and when?
Instrumental Lessons meet weekly at
Beginning Band rehearsals meet twice a week, Tuesday and Thursday, from February through May for 30 minutes. These rehearsals take place before school. Students are asked to arrive between 7:30 and 7:40am in order to be ready to begin rehearsal on stage by 7:45am.
How many performances do Beginner Band students have in one year?
Typically two: "A Performance Demonstration" at the April Open House and a Spring Concert in May or June.
Do I need to get a private teacher for my child?
No, but it is VERY beneficial and HIGHLY recommended – especially after sixth grade! Some students take summer lessons to maintain the skills they have developed during the school year. Please feel free to discuss lessons with me.
Can my child try band and quit if he/she doesn't like it?
Enrollment in Beginning Band Class is intended to be a year-long commitment. Changing schedules after enrollment causes problems in the school schedule and in band instrumentation balance. Recently, between 40% and 45% of the fourth grade student body has enrolled in the beginning band. There is a lot that is enticing about being in the band for the students. The East Meadow Bands feed into the Junior High Band, which feeds into the Granby High Band. The Granby High Band presents at least three concerts a year, performs at a UMass Football game annually as a part of a 3,000 member band called Band Day, marches in the Granby Memorial Day Parade, and also offers opportunities to join the Jazz Ensemble or Basketball Pep Band - so students have something very exciting to look forward to. Recently, 90% of beginners have successfully completed the first year and the retention rate for students joining the Junior High Band after 6th grade has been 96%. These are very high figures compared with national averages and we are very proud of them in the Granby Band Program.
