White Brook Middle School Band Program

Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.

1. How do I contact the band director?
2. On what days does concert band meet to rehearse?
3. On what days does the beginner band meet to rehearse?
4. How much should my band student be practicing at home?
5. How can I get my band student involved in taking private lessons?
6. When should my band student take their instrument home from school?
7. Where would be a good place to take my band student to hear a concert?
8. What time should my student be at school on the night of a 7:00pm concert?
9. What is the dress for the concert?
10. I would like to volunteer to help at the concerts. Who should I tell?

How do I contact the band director?

Mr. Whalen can be contacted by: 
email - whalenj@easthampton.k12.ma.us
phone - 413-529-1530
snail mail - c/o White Brook Middle School    200 Park St.  Easthamtpon, MA 01027

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On what days does concert band meet to rehearse?

Tuesdays at 8:15
Thursdays after school 2:35-3:30pm

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On what days does the beginner band meet to rehearse?

Tuesdays after school 2:35-3:30pm
Group lessons are on Wednesdays during school. Our Schedule rotates. Students will not come out of 
the same class more than once every six weeks.

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How much should my band student be practicing at home?

The best answer to this question is - however much time it takes to accomplish
the objective that has been previously decided upon. Some students may need
more time to achieve the goal, some will take less time.
The key is to set a clear goal.

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How can I get my band student involved in taking private lessons?

Go to the "Private Teacher" page of this website. I keep the list of teachers
updated often. I am constantly adding teachers for each instrument. The fee
that each teacher charges will vary depending on the teachers level of experience.

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When should my band student take their instrument home from school?

They should practice everyday. If the instrument needs to stay at school for a couple days a week, it 
really needs to go home for the weekend. Remember, 100% effort=100% success.

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Where would be a good place to take my band student to hear a concert?

Springfield Symphony Hall
The Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton
The Bushnell in Hartford, CT
Tanglewood in Lennox, MA

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What time should my student be at school on the night of a 7:00pm concert?

I tell the students to shoot for 6:20pm but no later than 6:30pm. That will
give us enough time to set up and warm up instruments and be able to get focused.

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What is the dress for the concert?

Concert dress is White (or light) on top and Black (or dark) on bottom. Dark
shoes, no sneakers.  Ties for boys. 
Dresses/skirts must be below the knee for girls.

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I would like to volunteer to help at the concerts. Who should I tell?

Please contact Mr. Whalen via email or phone and we can talk about what we need for help.
Thanks!!

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