Welcome Lake Como Families! If you are new to middle school music, this page is for you!
1) Start with one of these informative videos! then...
2) Check out the Frequently Asked Questions below!
Music Class - A Safe Place to Grow
Music Prepares Us for Success
Music Brings Us Together
Beginning Band & Orchestra FAQ
These are frequently asked questions by beginning families.
1) What is band versus orchestra? Band is the study of wind instruments along with percussion. These include flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, and saxophone in the woodwind family; trumpet, horn, baritone, trombone, and tuba in the brass family; and snare drums, bass drum, mallet instruments, and hand percussion in the percussion family. The orchestra includes stringed instruments played with a bow: violin, viola, cello, and double bass.
2) What about guitar, piano, or chorus? Due to the smaller size of K8 middle school enrollments, we do not offer classes in guitar, piano, or voice. There is an opportunity for students to play guitar or piano as second instruments (after being currently enrolled in band or orchestra) in the jazz band. In these cases, students would be in two music electives every day.
3) Can my student choose their own instrument?
Yes, your student will choose their top three instruments after a “fitting” process during class the first two weeks of school. For band, this involves having students learn about each instrument and trying to make the preliminary mouth shape, posture requirements, and basic tone to see whether the instrument would be a good “fit.” For orchestra, we look at arm length, finger and hand size, and how they hold each instrument. They will receive a feedback rating on “Fit Profile” sheet which will give us a preliminary picture of how successful they may be on each instrument (kind of like positions on a sports team based on your physical traits).
From here, we consider ensemble need. Obviously, a group of trumpets or violins alone would never work! Great care must be taken to create the classic instrument balance of the concert band and orchestra. That means that students may not get their 1st choice instrument, but probably will get their 2nd. The key is to keep an open mind. While we often want to pick an instrument, sometimes the instrument picks you!
4) Will the try-out process be sanitized and safe? Yes. For band, all the mouthpieces will be sanitized twice in Sterisol cleaner and 90% isopropyl alcohol. Orchestra students may use hand sanitizer if they choose.
MYTHBUSTER: Flutes are for girls and trombones are for boys.
TRUTH: That could not be further from the truth. There was a time in the past where these stereotypes were reinforced, but that era died with the 8 track tape- let's leave it there! The truth is anyone can be a great flute player if they work towards that goal. Instead of reinforcing stereotypes of yesteryear, let's keep an open mind and "let the instrument speak" to your child during their fitting process.
5) We already own a violin from an older sibling. Can my child just play that?
This is definitely a possibility, but I would urge you to keep an open mind and let their passion be part of the equation. If you do decide to use an instrument from the family, make sure you have had it checked out by a quality repair tech. Email Mr. Himes for references.
6) My uncle plays the saxophone and said he would give me lessons, can I play saxophone?
Again, keep an open mind. Sometimes the “family tradition” approach to instrument selection works, but many times it does not. If they can make a good sound on the instrument (one that sounds musical and doesn't scare everyone away!), then we can consider it.
MYTH BUSTER! My student is small so he can't play a large instrument.
TRUTH: Well, maybe he can . . . and maybe he will be the world's next greatest tuba player. We have smaller tubas and they WILL NOT have to carry a tuba home everyday. Let's not rule anything out until after the try-out process :)
7) My son is only interested in drums, can he pick the drums?
First off, “playing drums” may be very different than what he is expecting. If your son is selected as a percussionist, he will be learning to play dozens of percussion instruments- everything from snare drum and bass drum to mallet instruments like marimba and xylophone. He will be taught to play drum set, but that won’t happen until later in the year. Because so many students want to play drums, I require the following prerequisites. If a student is already actively studying percussion AND demonstrates proficiency (lessons are not enough- they display natural fit), they will be strongly considered. Every other student under consideration must display exceptional rhythmic intelligence at their audition AND be able to read the notes of the piano keyboard. Unfortunately, wanting to play drums is not a guarantee that they will be placed as a percussionist.
8) When will we actually get our instruments?
After the selection process (the end of week 2 for orchestra and week 3 for band), you will be given info on how to rent from a local music store OR an appointment to come in and check out a school instrument. Generally, students chosen to play a large instrument will check out a school instrument. We do have a very small number of smaller instruments available, but they are reserved first for families with financial need. Please contact Mr. Himes if you have financial concerns in participating.
9) Does the school provide instruments?
The school currently provides the following large band instruments. Students will need to purchase their own mouthpiece:
Band: tuba, baritone, bassoon, french horn, and large percussion instruments
Orchestra: double bass, cello, a limited number of violas and violins
Families issued a school-owned instrument (including percussionists!) will need to sign an Instrument Use Agreement and provide a Maintenance Fee paid on SchoolPay (watch for the due date on this fee).
MYTH BUSTER: I don't want my student playing TUBA or BASS! They are not carrying that thing home everyday!
TRUTH: You're right! It is too big. That is why they will have one at home to practice AND a class instrument to play at school. They will only carry a mouthpiece to school everyday (even the flute players will be jealous!) Bass players may have one at home on a bi-weekly rotation basis with another bass playing student with both students playing a class instrument while at school.
10) My daughter was selected to play viola, can we buy a used one instead of renting one?
Yes. BUT, do your research. I have a list of the makes and models of the best student instruments- instruments that have proven track records of success with this age group. If you buy an off-brand instrument blind off the internet, you are really taking a chance. You may get a cheaply-made, low-quality instrument that already needs mechanical repair. Your daughter will have a very hard time making progress on a low-quality instrument! If you are interested in buying your student's instrument, that is a great way to go. Please contact Mr. Himes for guidance.
11) Where can we rent an instrument?
Band Room Central is right on Curry Ford Rd. and provides great service and competitive rent-to-own plans, with repair/loaner service and delivery to and from the school. For orchestra, you can go to Atlantic Strings on Mills Ave.
12) What brands/models should I look for?
Please Email me for more info!
13) Can my student switch instruments if they don't like it?
Switching is handled on a case by case basis with an understanding that nearly all students hit a bump in the road at one time or another and see switching instruments as a way to fix their problems. I encourage students to first try harder, practice more diligently, get coaching with an older student, or take a private lesson. If these remedies don't create a positive effect, we can discuss the possibility of changing instruments and what that would look like.
MYTHBUSTER: Music classes are an easy A
TRUTH: It is not hard to get an A in music class, but it does require commitment to getting better and personal practice. Beginners are often VERY excited to start playing. After a month or so, they realize that it can be challenging and that the only way to get better is to practice and practice smart. This is normal and part of the learning process. When students hit a wall, they have a great opportunity to develop perseverance and grit to overcome that obstacle. These are the values I want to instill in them. They become stronger, more flexible and resilient. The other factors in getting a good grade is remembering all daily required items and not missing mandatory performances. For more detailed grading info, please see our Handbook.
14) What will they do in class?
The curriculum for this class includes learning basic technical concepts related to each instrument, learning to read music notation, and developing a sense of pitch, rhythm and tone production. Students should expect to warm-up daily, practice clapping rhythms, reading and writing music notation, listening to great music, and of course, playing lots of notes! They also have fun and make friends!
15) Will there be after-school rehearsals?
Beginning Band typically has one after-school rehearsal the week of or before a concert. 7th and 8th grade students will have several mandatory after-school rehearsals per semester as the performance schedule demands to prepare for concerts, public performances and Music Performance Assessments (MPA). These dates will be published early in the year so you can plan around them.
16) Are there fees that need to be paid be in band or orchestra? Yes
- A student enrichment fee which covers the method book, spirit T-Shirt, and digital music subscription. Mr. Himes will order your student's book. You can pay all fees by clicking here.
- Students renting from a local vendor should expect to pay around $30/month for most instruments (saxophones, horns, and cellos are more expensive at around $60/month)
*only students using school-owned instruments
17) What if families cannot afford the fees?
No family will be denied access to an arts education at Lake Como due to financial concerns. Every student has a right to participate and have a chance to learn to play an instrument. The Family Information Form completed by the end of the first week of school has a question where you can designate whether you need financial help.
18) Should my student take private lessons?
Hands-down! Absolutely! This is the fastest way to progress on a new instrument! The Band Room has a full staff of music teachers. If you would like more option, contact Mr. Himes
19) I can’t afford to rent an instrument. Can my student still be in band or orchestra?
Yes. There are a limited number of smaller instruments reserved for families need assistance with this. Please contact Mr. Himes at [email protected]
20) Are there any opportunities to volunteer and help out the program?
Absolutely! Thanks for asking :) Everything from concert outfit fittings to hospitality at events to chaperoning are all needed tasks for us to have a successful program. There is a place on the Family Information Form where you can select areas where you can help.
These are frequently asked questions by beginning families.
1) What is band versus orchestra? Band is the study of wind instruments along with percussion. These include flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, and saxophone in the woodwind family; trumpet, horn, baritone, trombone, and tuba in the brass family; and snare drums, bass drum, mallet instruments, and hand percussion in the percussion family. The orchestra includes stringed instruments played with a bow: violin, viola, cello, and double bass.
2) What about guitar, piano, or chorus? Due to the smaller size of K8 middle school enrollments, we do not offer classes in guitar, piano, or voice. There is an opportunity for students to play guitar or piano as second instruments (after being currently enrolled in band or orchestra) in the jazz band. In these cases, students would be in two music electives every day.
3) Can my student choose their own instrument?
Yes, your student will choose their top three instruments after a “fitting” process during class the first two weeks of school. For band, this involves having students learn about each instrument and trying to make the preliminary mouth shape, posture requirements, and basic tone to see whether the instrument would be a good “fit.” For orchestra, we look at arm length, finger and hand size, and how they hold each instrument. They will receive a feedback rating on “Fit Profile” sheet which will give us a preliminary picture of how successful they may be on each instrument (kind of like positions on a sports team based on your physical traits).
From here, we consider ensemble need. Obviously, a group of trumpets or violins alone would never work! Great care must be taken to create the classic instrument balance of the concert band and orchestra. That means that students may not get their 1st choice instrument, but probably will get their 2nd. The key is to keep an open mind. While we often want to pick an instrument, sometimes the instrument picks you!
4) Will the try-out process be sanitized and safe? Yes. For band, all the mouthpieces will be sanitized twice in Sterisol cleaner and 90% isopropyl alcohol. Orchestra students may use hand sanitizer if they choose.
MYTHBUSTER: Flutes are for girls and trombones are for boys.
TRUTH: That could not be further from the truth. There was a time in the past where these stereotypes were reinforced, but that era died with the 8 track tape- let's leave it there! The truth is anyone can be a great flute player if they work towards that goal. Instead of reinforcing stereotypes of yesteryear, let's keep an open mind and "let the instrument speak" to your child during their fitting process.
5) We already own a violin from an older sibling. Can my child just play that?
This is definitely a possibility, but I would urge you to keep an open mind and let their passion be part of the equation. If you do decide to use an instrument from the family, make sure you have had it checked out by a quality repair tech. Email Mr. Himes for references.
6) My uncle plays the saxophone and said he would give me lessons, can I play saxophone?
Again, keep an open mind. Sometimes the “family tradition” approach to instrument selection works, but many times it does not. If they can make a good sound on the instrument (one that sounds musical and doesn't scare everyone away!), then we can consider it.
MYTH BUSTER! My student is small so he can't play a large instrument.
TRUTH: Well, maybe he can . . . and maybe he will be the world's next greatest tuba player. We have smaller tubas and they WILL NOT have to carry a tuba home everyday. Let's not rule anything out until after the try-out process :)
7) My son is only interested in drums, can he pick the drums?
First off, “playing drums” may be very different than what he is expecting. If your son is selected as a percussionist, he will be learning to play dozens of percussion instruments- everything from snare drum and bass drum to mallet instruments like marimba and xylophone. He will be taught to play drum set, but that won’t happen until later in the year. Because so many students want to play drums, I require the following prerequisites. If a student is already actively studying percussion AND demonstrates proficiency (lessons are not enough- they display natural fit), they will be strongly considered. Every other student under consideration must display exceptional rhythmic intelligence at their audition AND be able to read the notes of the piano keyboard. Unfortunately, wanting to play drums is not a guarantee that they will be placed as a percussionist.
8) When will we actually get our instruments?
After the selection process (the end of week 2 for orchestra and week 3 for band), you will be given info on how to rent from a local music store OR an appointment to come in and check out a school instrument. Generally, students chosen to play a large instrument will check out a school instrument. We do have a very small number of smaller instruments available, but they are reserved first for families with financial need. Please contact Mr. Himes if you have financial concerns in participating.
9) Does the school provide instruments?
The school currently provides the following large band instruments. Students will need to purchase their own mouthpiece:
Band: tuba, baritone, bassoon, french horn, and large percussion instruments
Orchestra: double bass, cello, a limited number of violas and violins
Families issued a school-owned instrument (including percussionists!) will need to sign an Instrument Use Agreement and provide a Maintenance Fee paid on SchoolPay (watch for the due date on this fee).
MYTH BUSTER: I don't want my student playing TUBA or BASS! They are not carrying that thing home everyday!
TRUTH: You're right! It is too big. That is why they will have one at home to practice AND a class instrument to play at school. They will only carry a mouthpiece to school everyday (even the flute players will be jealous!) Bass players may have one at home on a bi-weekly rotation basis with another bass playing student with both students playing a class instrument while at school.
10) My daughter was selected to play viola, can we buy a used one instead of renting one?
Yes. BUT, do your research. I have a list of the makes and models of the best student instruments- instruments that have proven track records of success with this age group. If you buy an off-brand instrument blind off the internet, you are really taking a chance. You may get a cheaply-made, low-quality instrument that already needs mechanical repair. Your daughter will have a very hard time making progress on a low-quality instrument! If you are interested in buying your student's instrument, that is a great way to go. Please contact Mr. Himes for guidance.
11) Where can we rent an instrument?
Band Room Central is right on Curry Ford Rd. and provides great service and competitive rent-to-own plans, with repair/loaner service and delivery to and from the school. For orchestra, you can go to Atlantic Strings on Mills Ave.
12) What brands/models should I look for?
Please Email me for more info!
13) Can my student switch instruments if they don't like it?
Switching is handled on a case by case basis with an understanding that nearly all students hit a bump in the road at one time or another and see switching instruments as a way to fix their problems. I encourage students to first try harder, practice more diligently, get coaching with an older student, or take a private lesson. If these remedies don't create a positive effect, we can discuss the possibility of changing instruments and what that would look like.
MYTHBUSTER: Music classes are an easy A
TRUTH: It is not hard to get an A in music class, but it does require commitment to getting better and personal practice. Beginners are often VERY excited to start playing. After a month or so, they realize that it can be challenging and that the only way to get better is to practice and practice smart. This is normal and part of the learning process. When students hit a wall, they have a great opportunity to develop perseverance and grit to overcome that obstacle. These are the values I want to instill in them. They become stronger, more flexible and resilient. The other factors in getting a good grade is remembering all daily required items and not missing mandatory performances. For more detailed grading info, please see our Handbook.
14) What will they do in class?
The curriculum for this class includes learning basic technical concepts related to each instrument, learning to read music notation, and developing a sense of pitch, rhythm and tone production. Students should expect to warm-up daily, practice clapping rhythms, reading and writing music notation, listening to great music, and of course, playing lots of notes! They also have fun and make friends!
15) Will there be after-school rehearsals?
Beginning Band typically has one after-school rehearsal the week of or before a concert. 7th and 8th grade students will have several mandatory after-school rehearsals per semester as the performance schedule demands to prepare for concerts, public performances and Music Performance Assessments (MPA). These dates will be published early in the year so you can plan around them.
16) Are there fees that need to be paid be in band or orchestra? Yes
- A student enrichment fee which covers the method book, spirit T-Shirt, and digital music subscription. Mr. Himes will order your student's book. You can pay all fees by clicking here.
- Band – Habits of a Successful Beginner Band Musician – order your student's instrument!
- Orchestra – Essential Elements for Strings (Book 1) – order your student's instrument!
- Students renting from a local vendor should expect to pay around $30/month for most instruments (saxophones, horns, and cellos are more expensive at around $60/month)
*only students using school-owned instruments
17) What if families cannot afford the fees?
No family will be denied access to an arts education at Lake Como due to financial concerns. Every student has a right to participate and have a chance to learn to play an instrument. The Family Information Form completed by the end of the first week of school has a question where you can designate whether you need financial help.
18) Should my student take private lessons?
Hands-down! Absolutely! This is the fastest way to progress on a new instrument! The Band Room has a full staff of music teachers. If you would like more option, contact Mr. Himes
19) I can’t afford to rent an instrument. Can my student still be in band or orchestra?
Yes. There are a limited number of smaller instruments reserved for families need assistance with this. Please contact Mr. Himes at [email protected]
20) Are there any opportunities to volunteer and help out the program?
Absolutely! Thanks for asking :) Everything from concert outfit fittings to hospitality at events to chaperoning are all needed tasks for us to have a successful program. There is a place on the Family Information Form where you can select areas where you can help.