GREAT CONCERT
CONGRATULATIONS to all of our band students for their magnificent performances at the Spring Band Festival (5/20) and the Wilmington Town Memorial Day Parade (5/26)! Both the Beginning and Advanced Bands played really well!! BRAVO!! Thank you to all of the parents who marched with us and carried water in the parade too!
Band schedule
Band lessons will continue for all band students through the last full week of school in June. Students will be receiving summer practice packets to maintain the skills that they worked so hard to master this year. We ask students to try to practice once a week during the summer to keep their skills sharp.
5th Grade Band News
All students who play a band instrument in the 5th grade are invited to sign up for Band in Middle School. Course selection sheets have already been given out to students. In Middle School, Band is a regular class that meets every other day (not a pull-out class like elementary school). Instrument specific group lessons are also offered in Middle School on a pull-out basis where the students are scheduled for a lesson every 2-3 weeks. More information about Middle School Band can be reviewed at the middle school link on www.wildcatbands.com
In addition to the Band class at middle school, students also have the opportunity to participate in the after school ensemble: Jr. Jazz Band. This ensemble meets every Friday (from November – April) from 1:40 – 3:30 PM at the Middle School. This is an invitation only ensemble for students who play the Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Drum Set, Piano, Bass, or Guitar. Wind and percussion students are selected from Band class based on their demonstration of superior music skills and advanced personal responsibility (remembering to bring their instrument to school, solid lesson attendance, etc.). Piano, bass, and guitar students are required to provide a teacher recommendation and pass an audition. All students in this ensemble must be able to read music.
4th Grade Band News
During lessons this week we have been reviewing our first year of instrument study with the 4th grade band students. Additionally, we have also been discussing what’s next for these young musicians. There are basically three options for most band students:
- Continue on the instrument they chose this year. Students who do this are automatically entered into Advanced Band
when they return to school in August. It is not necessary for parents
of these students to re-register them nor do they need to
attend the instrument sign up meeting for beginners in September 2014. - Switch to a different instrument next year.
Beginning instrumental music classes are offered in both 4th and 5th grade.
Students can choose to switch to one of the following: Flute, Clarinet, Sax,
Trumpet, Trombone, Percussion, Violin, Viola, Cello.
Students who do switch instruments will be in a beginner level class again.
If your child wishes to switch instruments next year, parents should contact
their music vendor by the end of the school year to arrange returning the
instrument to save on rental fees over the summer. - Discontinue playing an instrument.
Students who have talked with their parents and have decided to discontinue
their participation in the band program will be GREATLY missed!! All students
who successfully complete their first year of band lessons are always welcome
to return to our band program at any point in their public school career.
Parents will need to make arrangements to return any rental instruments for
students who are not continuing by contacting their music vendor.
Local vendors include:
K & C Music – 781-769-6520
Performance Music – 781-938-6411
National Music – 781-933-6300
The Music Place – 978-664-6213