Beginning Band At Burr Ridge Middle School

Ms. Carol Collins, Director of Bands, BRMS

Did you know? !   Students of lower socioeconomic status who took music lessons in

grades 5-12 increased their math scores significantly as compared to non-music students. But, just as important, reading, history, geography and even social skills soared by 40%.

!   A Columbia U. study revealed that students in the arts are found to be more cooperative with teachers and peers, more self-confident and better able to express their ideas.

!   The skills gained through band class include: discipline and the ability to analyze, solve problems, communicate and work cooperatively. These skills are vital for success in the 21st century workplace.

!   High school students who are in band or orchestra report the lowest lifetime and current use of all drugs.

Did you know?

Musical activities provide children with important experiences that can help them develop physical coordination, timing, memory, visual, aural and language skills. They gain important experience with self-paced learning, mental concentration and a heightened personal and social awareness.

-Frank Wilson, M.D. Professor of Neurology, U. of California School of Medicine, San Francisco; AMC 1998 Publication “Music and Your Child”.

Oh yes, it’s also a lot of Fun!

BRMS Bands perform at assemblies, concerts, Hinsdale South Pre-Game, A.M. Jeans, BRMS Solo Festival, Southeast DuPage Band Festival, and the Hinsdale South Hornet Jazz Fest.

It all starts in Beginning Band Class

!  Our goal in Beginning Band is to learn the basic skills to prepare you for entry into the BRMS Symphonic Band the following year.

!  Establish good practice habits. !  Read music !  Play with a warm, round beautiful sound.

This is a graded class that will be on your report card.

Requirements to join At BRMS one of our goals is to set your child up for success. Since

band is a graded class, we want to make sure that they will be able to succeed.

!   If your child is struggling in their core academic subjects then it is best to have them concentrate on reading and math rather than have them join band.

!   In order to decide if band will be a good match for your child we look at the following data to decide who will have a successful experience in band class:

–  ISAT data from last year (did they meet or exceed in math and/or reading) –  Basic musical knowledge from music class (we will review this in music class) –  Recommendations from the 4th and 5th grade teachers on:

•  student work habits, •  classroom behavior •  completion of work in a timely manner

Great News!

Our school district has always believed that a good education includes the fine and performing arts.

!  We are very proud to say that we can provide you with an instrument for your child to use (for only a small, one time fee for the band book and reeds). Depending on the instrument that would be between $12-$30.

!  When they are in the Symphonic band (in 6-8th grade) then you will pay the yearly school activity fee.

What are the instruments that

my child can choose from?

Brass Family

!  Trumpet/Cornet !  Trombone !  Baritone Horn !  French Horn

Woodwind Family

!  Flute !  Clarinet !  Alto Sax

Percussion

!  Bells/Snare Kit (a set of bells, drum pad)

Beginning Band Schedule

!  Beginning Band meets during the regular school day.

!  We meet three days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) as a large group.

!  We will also meet once a week for small group lessons.

Group Lessons

Each instrument is different. We also meet with students in group lessons. For the first four weeks of band they will meet twice a week in their group lessons. After that they will only have one group lesson a week. Group lessons are on a rotating schedule. Students will only miss a class for 30 minutes. The rotation changes each week so they do not miss the same 30 minutes again for the next six weeks.

Flexible Schedule

The teachers and I are in constant communication in order to make sure that the band students do not miss anything crucial in their classes. We are very flexible. If for example if Math has a test or quiz, then the band students would be excused from lessons that day.

Beginning Band At Burr Ridge Middle School

If you have any questions please feel to email the Band Director at ccollins@ccsd180.org

Are you interested?

Please sign this page and have your child bring it to their homeroom teacher no later than Thursday, September 20, 2012. Yes, I would like to have my child join the band program at BRMS. Entrance to the band program will be dependent on passing the requirements stated earlier in this handbook. A letter will be sent home with your child whether they will be eligible or not to join the program at a later date.

____________________________________________ Parent or Guardian Signature

__________________________________ Child’s name

Beginning Band At Burr Ridge Middle School

Ms. Carol Collins, Director of Bands, BRMS