Are you aware of the following:
“Music education opens doors that
help children pass from school into the world around them — a world of
work, culture, intellectual activity, and human involvement. The future
of our nation depends on providing our children with a complete
education that includes music.” — Gerald Ford, former President, United
States of America
71% of Americans surveyed believe that teenagers who play an
instrument are less likely to have disciplinary problems. (Source:
Gallup Poll, “American Attitudes Towards Music,” 2003)
Middle school and high school students who participated in
instrumental music scored significantly higher than their non-band peers
in standardized tests. (Source: “Research Beyond Music for Art’s Sake,”
American Music Conference)
The College Board identifies the arts (music) as one of the six basic
academic subjects students need in order to succeed in college.
(Source: Academic Preparation for College: What Students Need to Know
and Be Able to Do, 1983 [still in use], The College Board, New York )
Students with band and orchestra experience attend college at a rate twice the national average. (Source: Bands Across the USA)
SAT scores for students in music performance classes were 57 points
higher (Verbal) and 41 points higher (Math). (Source: Profile of SAT
& Achievement Test Takers, The College Board, compiled by Music
Educators National Conference, 2001)
Music students out-perform non-music on achievement tests in reading
and math. Skills such as reading, anticipating, memory, listening,
forecasting, recall, and concentration are developed in musical
performance, and these skills are valuable to students in math, reading,
and science. (Source: B. Friedman, “An Evaluation of the Achievement in
Reading and Arithmetic of Pupils in Elementary School Instrumental
Music Classes,” Dissertation Abstracts International)
What if my child doesn't know how to play an instrument or read music?
That's okay! We start from the very beginning, assuming that none of the students can read music or play an instrument. That's what cadet band is for.
How and when do we get an instrument?
Once we've decided what instrument your child will play, I will send home detailed information on the different ways to obtain an instrument. In short, you can purchase an instrument, participate in "rent-to-own" programs offered by the local music store, or get one from a neighbor or an older sibling. The school also has a limited number of instruments available to borrow for students with financial need. I have never had a student who had to quit band because they didn't have an instrument.
Is band a year-long class?
Yes. Learning to play an instrument is a process that works best when it happens on a continual basis. There are cognitive and physical aspects of being a musician that must be practiced all year!
What if my child didn't sign up for band, but now he/she wants to?
You can have your child's schedule changed. You can contact Mr. White for a schedule change.. Also, if your child signed up for band but it is not on his/her schedule in the fall, let me know as soon as possible and I will make sure the student's schedule is corrected so that they will be in band!
Does being in band cost anything?
There are certain costs associated with being in band. Just as you would have to buy certain supplies for your child to play a sport (cleats, glove, shin guards, etc), there are supplies needed for each instrument. For most of these, you'll buy it once and it will last all year. The only things your student may have to buy year round are reeds, and these range from $1.50-$3.00 each. How long the reed lasts depends on how well your child takes care of the instrument. Students must also buy a method book (it costs around $9.00 and they'll use it all year) and a band shirt (usually around $16.00, but they will wear it the entire time they're in middle school band). We do an annual fundraiser, and students may use any money they raise to pay for any costs! I've had several students each year who didn't have to pay for a single thing out of pocket!
Have a great Summer
- Prestissimo — extremely fast (more than 200bpm)
- Presto — very fast (168–200 bpm)
- Allegrissimo — very fast
- Vivo — lively and fast
- Vivace — lively and fast (≈140 bpm)
- Allegro — fast and bright or "march tempo" (120–168
bpm)
- Allegro moderato — moderately quick (112–124 bpm)
- Allegretto — moderately fast (but less so than allegro)
- Allegretto grazioso — moderately fast and gracefully
- Moderato — moderately (108–120 bpm)
- Moderato espressivo — moderately with expression
- Andantino — alternatively faster or slower than andante
- Andante Moderato — a bit faster than andante
- Andante — at a walking pace (76–108 bpm)
- Tranquillamente — adverb of tranquillo,
"tranquilly"
- Tranquillo — tranquil
- Adagietto — rather slow (70–80 bpm)
- Adagio — slow and stately (literally, "at ease") (66–76
bpm)
- Larghetto — rather broadly (60–66 bpm)
- Grave — slow and solemn
- Lento — very slow (40–60 bpm)
- Lento Moderato - moderately slow
- Largo — very slow (40–60 bpm), like lento
- Larghissimo — very, very slow (20 bpm and below)
- Largamente - very, very, very slow 10bpm