Welcome to Marvin Ridge Middle School 6th Grade Band!
The Marvin Ridge Middle School band program is an extremely popular comprehensive instrumental music program with over 350 students between 6th, 7th, and 8th grade participating annually. Incoming 6th grade
students have the opportunity to begin taking band as a part of their daily class schedule during the school
day!
According to multiple professional sources, students that have experience within a performing arts program are more likely to be better-rounded students academically. There is also plenty of research linking the study of music to higher test scores.
According to multiple professional sources, students that have experience within a performing arts program are more likely to be better-rounded students academically. There is also plenty of research linking the study of music to higher test scores.
6TH GRADE IS THE ONLY CHANCE A STUDENT HAS TO SIGN UP FOR BAND!
Instrument Selections
Students will be asked to fill out an "Interest Form" that ranks their 1st and
2nd priority for
instruments selections. The instruments to choose from
are (Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone, French Horn, Percussion,
Saxophone, and Oboe). We will do everything in our power to give your child the
opportunity to sign up for their 1st or 2nd preference on instruments. It is important to know that sometimes space is limited within certain instrument groups and adjustments
have to be made to create a balanced band sound.
When making final instrument selections band directors will take into consideration the physical characteristics, student preference, and aptitude for the particular instrument. Every
student has physical characteristics that make them better suited for some
instruments and less suited for others. Therefore it is important to match students with instruments in which they have the greatest opportunity of SUCCESS!
Things to look for when thinking of instrument preferences with your child...
FLUTE – Careful/Studious/Conscientious
Flute players should have a
slight “frown” to the upper lip without tear drop shape in the middle. Students
with extreme overbites (receded jaw) should avoid choosing flute as this makes
it difficult to produce quality sounds.
CLARINET – Diligent/Focused
Clarinet players should be
able to demonstrate a flat chin. If a student has an extremely rounded bottom
row of teeth the mouthpiece will be hard to place in the proper position.
OBOE – Patient/Scholarly
Students with profound overbites or under bites would have EXTREME difficulties playing oboe.
Students with profound overbites or under bites would have EXTREME difficulties playing oboe.
SAXOPHONE – Jazzy/Outgoing/Mellow
Demonstrating a flat chin and sitting up with good posture is extremely important for the saxophones.
Demonstrating a flat chin and sitting up with good posture is extremely important for the saxophones.
TRUMPET – Confident/Daring
Braces can be troublesome to a trumpet player but it is not impossible to make good sounds with braces. A slight overbite is okay, but an under bite can severely hinder progress on trumpet. Trumpet players come in all shapes and sizes.
Braces can be troublesome to a trumpet player but it is not impossible to make good sounds with braces. A slight overbite is okay, but an under bite can severely hinder progress on trumpet. Trumpet players come in all shapes and sizes.
FRENCH HORN – Academic/Brave
Braces can be troublesome to a french horn player but it is not impossible to make good sounds with braces. A slight overbite is okay, but an under bite can severely hinder progress on french horn. Students should exhibit GREAT ability to match sung/played pitches by humming or singing. Perhaps this is a good instrument choice for students who have participated in piano lessons or choir groups.
Braces can be troublesome to a french horn player but it is not impossible to make good sounds with braces. A slight overbite is okay, but an under bite can severely hinder progress on french horn. Students should exhibit GREAT ability to match sung/played pitches by humming or singing. Perhaps this is a good instrument choice for students who have participated in piano lessons or choir groups.
TROMBONE – Sense of Humor/Good Ear for
Music/Analytical
Students should exhibit GREAT ability to match sung/played pitches by humming or singing. Arm length is a consideration; however, there are numerous accommodations for students of all shapes and sizes to play. A slight overbite is acceptable, while an extreme under bite would hinder success. Trombone players should have slightly fuller lips than average. Students with braces will find the mouthpiece of the trombone more comfortable than trumpet or french horn.
Students should exhibit GREAT ability to match sung/played pitches by humming or singing. Arm length is a consideration; however, there are numerous accommodations for students of all shapes and sizes to play. A slight overbite is acceptable, while an extreme under bite would hinder success. Trombone players should have slightly fuller lips than average. Students with braces will find the mouthpiece of the trombone more comfortable than trumpet or french horn.
BARITONE – Unique/Fun Loving/Artistic
Baritone players should have moderately full lips, but not too full. A SLIGHT overbite is okay, but an under bite would hinder a good sound. Students with braces will find the mouthpiece of the baritone more comfortable than trumpet or french horn.
Baritone players should have moderately full lips, but not too full. A SLIGHT overbite is okay, but an under bite would hinder a good sound. Students with braces will find the mouthpiece of the baritone more comfortable than trumpet or french horn.
Students should exhibit a great deal of coordination in gross and fine motor skills. In addition, the study of percussion includes bells, triangle, tambourine, maracas, claves, bells, xylophone, marimba, and timpani among many other instruments. Preference given to those with prior piano instruction.
Band Sign-Ups
In order to work around the busy schedules of all incoming 5th grade families,
we will offer 2 opportunities to attend a meeting for more information
and to sign-up for band. If you are interested in signing your child up for
band or just to get more information you will only
need to attend ONE meeting from the options listed below. All
meetings will take place at Marvin Ridge Middle School - please enter through
the main entrance and follow the signs to the meeting location. Meetings will start promptly at times listed below.
Band
Sign-Ups 1: Band Sign-Ups 2:
Saturday,
April 6th, 2019 OR Tuesday April 16th,
2019
Meeting
times: Meeting time:
9:00 am & 10:30 am 6:00 pm
If you are unable to attend one of the meeting times and are interested in getting more information about joining the 6th grade Band please contact Ms. Johnson at your earliest convenience. Please be aware by attending a meeting for more information does not require you to sign up for band - we gladly welcome anyone that is interested to come and see what its all about and ask questions!
How Do I Sign Up???
There are 2 steps to sign
your child up for band – if you are not sure and would like more information be
sure to attend one of the band “sign-up” meetings.
Step 1: visit the website
and follow the “6th Grade Band Information” tab to review the
information available. Dates are posted for meetings – attend just one meeting
time that is most convenient for you!
Step 2: visit the website
and follow the “6th Grade Registration" tab to sign up for meeting date you are attending! This
does not lock you into joining band.
It is important to note
that if your child was referred by a current Marvin Ridge Middle School band
student, then you can include their name at the bottom of the “Interest Form”
Characteristics for a Great
Band Student
Band is very popular
with 6th graders at Marvin Ridge Middle School and most students who register
for band are extremely successful, but band isn't for every child. There
are four characteristics that the most successful band students typically have:
FOCUS - Successful band students
tend to be self-motivated to focus in class and at home. Band students
must be able to follow directions in a fast paced classroom environment. The
best band students are focused enough to go home and practice their instrument
until personal goals have been met!
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT – Numerous studies show
that students that participate with music typically have higher test scores and
overall higher academic achievement. Band is also an outlet for a lot of
students that struggle in their academics to have the opportunity for creative
expression. Where other subjects might struggle to find opportunities to teach
collaboration, teamwork, accountability, responsibility…among others, band
explores these topics on a daily basis. In addition, successful band students understand
the importance of developing good study habits and completing their assignments
in on time.
DEDICATION - Successful band
students are typically dedicated to taking their instrument home for DAILY to
practice (20-30 minutes a night). There is no substitute for good
practice habits and students who do not practice at home, typically do not make
steady progress in class.
A LOVE OF MUSIC - Successful band
students enjoy listening to, performing, and learning about music!
Even if a student
does not display these qualities, band is a perfect vehicle to develop them in
these areas. If your student fits the description above, then BAND is a
great option for you!
Renting an Instrument
To begin a rental agreement, parents will need to fill out a
simple contract (no
background/credit checks) and
make a $20 down payment (cash/check/credit
cards accepted). Students/parents will not be able to take his/her
instrument home immediately – each rental will be delivered directly to MRMS
and will be dispersed to students by the band directors. This is by far
the easiest way to secure and distribute instruments to incoming band
students.
PLEASE DO NOT BEGIN YOUR RENTAL AGREEMENT THROUGH THE MUSIC &
ARTS STORE LOCATIONS
Signing up for an instrument rental at this meeting guarantees
that a student will receive the specialized instruments carefully selected by
the Marvin Ridge Middle School band directors. This meeting will be the ONLY
opportunity where a rental agreement on these particular instruments can be
made – visiting the site location of our instrument dealer, you will NOT
receive these specific instrument models/brands chosen for quality and
durability. It is
IMPERATIVE that you begin your instrument rental at this meeting –
recurring payments will not begin until August and can be cancelled at any time
before the start of the school year.
Related Arts Curriculum
On a daily basis, students will attend two 40-minute courses
comprising their elective classes.
Any 6th grade
students enrolled in Band WILL
ALSO BE registered in Physical Education, Health, Keyboarding courses on a rotation basis.
Students who decide not to participate in Band will be
placed on a cycle of 6-week classes which includes: Drama, Art, Chorus, Career
Skills, Chinese, Spanish and Global Studies. Please note that students typically
show special interest in one or two of these offered courses; however, it
should be considered that they will only be able to participate in that
particular class for one six-week time frame.
In addition, the Drama teacher offers a club that meets
after-school in preparation for a spring production – this allows for
the possibility of band students participating in both activities with ease.
Student Video:
Parent Video:
Key Points
-Band starts in the 6th grade only (students cannot join in 7th or 8th grade). No prior experience is needed!
-Band is a class that meets during the day, and requires little to no after school commitment in the 6th grade.
-You can be involved in sports and other after-school activities while still participating in the band due to band being a regular academic class.
-Band classes are split up according to the instrument that the student plays (woodwinds, brass…etc). This allows more one on one attention, and allows students to move a faster pace in the beginning stages of learning to play an instrument.
-Taking band in the 6th grade will still allow you to be on the PE Wheel.
-Taking band in the 6th grade will still allow you to be on the PE Wheel.
If you have any questions or concerns please email Ms. Johnson
