Instruments to choose	What's the schedule?	How do I join, and other FAQs?

WHAT INSTRUMENT CAN I PLAY?                 

Flute, Piccolo: The flute and piccolo are the highest pitched of the woodwind instruments. The piccolo is about half the size of the flute. Both have an especially beautiful sound that can be light and happy, or quiet and calm.  Best known as the bird in "Peter and the Wolf".

Clarinet: This is the most popular woodwind instrument, and has a warm mellow sound. It can plan both high and low notes. It is probably best known as the "cat" from Peter and the Wolf.  Clarinet is a logical first step to bassoon and saxophone.

Trumpet, Cornet: Trumpets are somewhat longer than cornets. These are the highest of the brass instruments. Players need a good sense of pitch.

Trombone: This instrument sounds very brassy like the trumpet, but makes a warmer sound. It gets the different notes by using a slide. Very popular and usually in great demand for Jazz, Rock, Concert bands, and Orchestras...it does it all!

Baritone/Euphonium: This horn sounds much like the trombone, but is more mellow. It can play both melody and harmony. It is also know as the "little Tuba".  We also call it the Euphonium (Eu="good", phone="sound").

Percussion: A percussionist doesn't just play drums. There are many kinds of percussion instruments such as Snare Drum, Bells, Tympani, Triangle, the list goes on and on, and students should learn to play them all! It takes as much study to become a percussionist as for any other instrument.

WHAT'S THE SCHEDULE?

Our Elementary Bands meet at Evergreen Junior High from 7:55-8:35 AM.

-September 9th-12th, 2008: Think about the instrument YOU'D like to play.

-September 10th (Tuesday), 2008: Cadet Band Starts!

-September 15th (Monday), 2007: Beginning Band Starts!

(You only need your Brain for the first two classes.)     

        We Look Forward to Meeting and Working with You!

Elementary Band F.A.Q.s:

Do I need to be able to play or read music?-We assume you’re a beginner with no music reading experience. ANYONE Can JOIN! If you already read music, you just have an advantage.

IS THERE A LIMIT TO HOW MANY CAN JOIN BAND? No, we welcome any interested participants!  We may make limitations on the number of players on each instrument, depending upon the needs of the ensemble.

CAN I CHOOSE ANY INSTRUMENT, OR DOES THE DIRECTOR CHOOSE FOR ME? The directors make recommendations based upon needs of the band (just like a baseball team can't have all pitchers, the band needs many "positions" filled), your body shape and size, and the your ability to match pitch. NOTE: This doesn't mean you have to play with what you are assigned.  Band directors LOVE to have low brass (Trombone and Baritone)!!!

ARE THESE THE ONLY INSTRUMENTS I CAN PLAY? WHAT ABOUT PIANO, GUITAR, SAXOPHONE, ETC? The FLute, Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone, and Percussion are considered the best to start out on. While Piano and Guitar are great for you to learn reading music, they're better suited to the Jazz Band when you get to a pretty proficient level At the Junior High level, you're very valuable as a multi-instrument player! 

At the Elementary Band level, we stick to the basic instruments both for simplicity (it makes it better to teach you on these), for your development  (They're easier to learn), AND for your pocketbook (saxophone for instance is a bit more expensive to rent). A good Clarinet player can easily pick up Saxophone and other woodwinds like Bassoon or Oboe; a Baritone or Trombone player can learn Tuba pretty easily; playing the Bells gives you a good beginning to all of the Percussion; Trumpet and Flute  players can pick up French Horn,  and so on.

WHAT ABOUT IF BAND INTERFERES WITH OTHER MORNING ACTIVITIES? Band is a great way to become a well-rounded person, and we often have kids involved in Quest, Choir, Debate, Patrol, actors, athletes, and we schedule our events with consideration for other events. Try get your schedule to avoid any conflicts, but if conflicts do occur, we can work those out with the advisor. Make sure to keep us informed!

WHERE DO WE GET AN INSTRUMENT? WHAT BOOK DO I NEED? You can Rent, Borrow (some instruments available from Evergreen...first come first served!), or Own (parent, older sibling, relative, neighbor). MAKE SURE TO HAVE AN INSTRUMENT THAT'S BEEN UNUSED FOR A WHILE CHECKED OUT BY A QUALIFIED REPAIR TECHNICIAN.

-WE USE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS 2000, BOOK 1. for Beginning Band and ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS 2000, BOOK 2  for Cadet Band. Make sure to get correct book for your instrument!

IS THERE ANY FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE? Yes! Through the generosity of anonymous donors, you can apply for a rental "scholarship". Again, Evergreen also has some instruments that you can rent for a minimal fee. Just ask!

HOW DO I GET TO EVERGREEN IN THE MORNING? Three Options: Ride the Junior High Bus from your area to Evergreen (call Transportation or check the district website (http://www.lwsd.org/Schools/School-and-Bus-Finder/Pages/default.aspx) to find out where the Junior High bus stops in your neighborhood); parents can drive individually; or carpool with friends.

HOW DO I GET TO MY OWN SCHOOL AFTER BAND?  Four busses will whisk you and the Elementary Orchestra students back to your own schools, just in time or just a little after for your classes start. TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS AT YOUR SCHOOLS KNOW THAT YOU MAY BE A BIT LATE TO THE START OF CLASS.  NO WORRIES!

WHAT IF MY STUDENT MISSES A CLASS? We take roll each day, contact the elementary schools, and call home to confirm absences if a pattern emerges. Since we only meet a couple of times a week, each class is very important. PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ATTEND ON A CONSISTENT BASIS. It's the best way to learn and be successful (AND have Fun!)

-SNOW DAYS or LATE STARTS will automatically cancel ALL before school activities, including Elementary Band and Orchestra.

-EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR INSTRUMENT (repairs, left at Grandma's, left in your room) Come anyway. While it's not as much as  playing, you will still learn!

CAN I KEEP MY INSTRUMENT AT EVERGREEN? We discourage that because: Your instrument is not insured at Evergreen (if you own yours, get it covered under your homeowner's insurance); You can't play it at home, unless you have one checked out to you to keep at home (we do this with some of the larger brass, where you have an instrument at home, and all you have to bring to class is your mouthpiece). We don't recommend you share an instrument with an older sibling. That's just yucky...

CAN I JOIN WITH A FRIEND? Absolutely! Friends are more fun to learn with, they can help you be more successful, and are easier to carpool or ride the bus with.  Another advantage is that you'll make friends from Banders other schools that are also playing!

-WHEN YOU GET TO JUNIOR HIGH, YOU'll be the one who knows the school the best, since you've already been there. You'll have a better understanding of the layout of the school, the students and some teachers. Being in Elementary Band will REALLY reduce the stress of transitioning to Junior High!

Can I start TO PLAY AN INSTRUMENT Early?-Yes! Highly Recommended!  Consider piano lessons as a start; OR, Get a head start with lessons on your instrument of choice.

1.Mill’s Music 425 881-8777

2.MusicWorks Northwest 425 644-0988 www.musicworksnw.org 

3. Pacific Music 425 885-9703

4.Kennelly Keys (Woodinville) 425 481-5079

5. Email us for private instrumental  teachers’ contact info.

WHO ARE THE TEACHERS?

WHAT ELSE?

-Begin thinking about what instrument YOU’D like to play!

-Now’s a great time to talk to your parents about joining BAND

-7^th Graders can join BEGINNER BAND in Junior High!

ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS?

E-Mail Mr. Peterson