And Then I'll Quit--I Promise!

5th Grade Band--When Do I Have To Decide On Everything?

One last post about starting band in the fall. This year, because of our highly 'unusual' spring season, we're postponing all of the official information, signups, and meetings UNTIL THE FALL!  That's right, you don't have to do anything right now! As the confusion about fall clears, we will publish dates for the beginning band meetings right along with everything else that comes out! But, if you were curious, or wanted to do some homework in advance, I do have one more video. This one is put out by Meyer Music and explains how they can support band families with rentals, sales, and service.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HULdak5ZqJU

Helpful Website

Not Sure? START HERE!

Here's a GREAT website that was shared with me as a resource to help students and parents make a decision about being part of the music program at school. It is a FUN and INFORMATIVE site--a tremendous resource for you to explore over the summer months! Every instrument is demonstrated here, with helpful information about it's uniqueness!

https://www.bepartofthemusic.org/

Drums!!

5TH GRADE BAND AT ZCS--WHAT ABOUT PERCUSSION?

5th Band--Instruments

5th Grade BAND at ZCS--What instrument will I play?

One of the biggest decisions about band, of course, is what instrument to play. On a normal year, I would have spent a LOT of time talking with and showing my 4th grade students the possibilities. We offer instruction in 5 basic groups at the beginning level:

1. Flute

2.Clarinet

3. Trumpet

4. Trombone or Baritone

5. Percussion

NOTES:

--We 'draft' our alto saxophone players around Christmas time from our clarinet class. 

--We do the same by selecting French horn players from the trumpet class. 

--Percussion players learn mallet instruments (bells) as well as concert drumming.

--Certain motivated students may ask for permission to begin on oboe, tuba, or bassoon. A private teacher may be necessary to make that happen.

Here are some short videos about those choices:

5th Band Schedule

5th Grade BAND at ZCS--WHEN do we meet?

For those of you who have not been involved with band at ZCS before, our schedule is somewhat unique. Each week, your student's band experience will consist of one 50-55 minute class of LIKE INSTRUMENTS meeting together. Each of these classes takes place on a different day of the week at the MIDDLE SCHOOL start time--yes that means getting your student to ZCS by 7:40 am! A tentative schedule of days for these classes is:

Monday--Flute Class

Tuesday--Clarinet Class (and later saxes)

Wednesday--Trumpet Class (and later French horns)

Thursday--Low Brass Class (Trombones, Baritones, Tubas)

Friday--Percussion Class

A SECOND meeting for all band students together (a band rehearsal) is scheduled for Thursday afternoon! I'm excited about adding one more band period per week, and by moving it to the afternoon, I have another morning class time freed up. Full disclosure here--the Thursday afternoon time runs over afternoon recess. I'm hoping students are willing to sacrifice that time for the fun of having band all together. Also, it will limit the early transportation challenges to ONE day per week.

So, to repeat, each student meets once in the early morning by sections, and the entire band meets once per week on Thursday afternoon. I'm excited about next year!

5th Band--Your Choice

5th Grade BAND at ZCS--WHO should join?

If your family is considering joining the wonderful band program at ZCS in the fall, but you are not sure what you need to know to make that decision, you've come to the right place! Follow this blog site over the next few weeks as I attempt to anticipate and answer your questions about the band experience:

WHO should join band? Well, anyone can! But there are a few things to consider about your student and your family situation:

1. Band is tons of fun--but you have to 'want to'. I find the #1 predictor of success in band is motivation! It will involve extra time and effort, but can result in some very memorable experiences. Parent support and encouragement are also needed!

2. Band is tons of fun--but you have to be willing to work. The process of learning to play well takes time and effort. There will be days that are challenging, and your student has to be willing to work through those times. Parent support and encouragement are also needed!

3. Band is tons of fun--but you have to be willing to get up in the morning for it!  Our instrument classes meet one day a week at the 7:40 time period--what I call "0 hour", or the hour before school actually starts. Even students and families who are not 'morning people' are asked to come! 

4. Band is tons on fun--but it involves extra time. Besides getting up early (see #3), there is an expectation that all students will practice at home--consistently. If your family is already running on an overbooked schedule with no margins, please consider how you could make time for success in band.

All that being said--I would love to have EVERY 5th grader join the band program. Fifth grade is a great level at which to 'try out' playing an instrument. Science shows us learning to play is SO GOOD for brain development. And of course, I'm a really fun guy!

Over the next few posts, I hope to answer your questions about how the band schedule works, which instrument to consider, how to obtain and instrument, and how to get 'registered' with ZCS for band.

For HIM in all of our music,

Mr. Schonewill

ZCS BAND BEGINNERS FOR 2020-2021!!

My 4th grader would love to start band next fall--how is that going to happen?

Dear 4th graders and parents, I'm so glad you asked!

On a 'normal' year, during the month of May, we would spend quite a bit of time in 4th grade music exploring this question. We would:
1. review and reflect on our recorder learning experience,
2. ask Mr. S all kinds of questions about band,
3. watch as he takes the instruments out and demonstrates the instruments available to us,
4. be given a letter to take home so we can talk with our parents, and
5. schedule Meyer Music to come in with some brand new instruments to try!

All of this would happen BEFORE we would ask parents to return a letter of intention to begin band in the fall so Mr. S can begin to shape and schedule his classes.  Of course, this is not a NORMAL year at all, and so things will be quite different for beginning band, too. There are many things I don't know about the fall yet, but I can share some thoughts to get you started...

1. I'm planning on doing all of the signing up, trying of instruments, etc. in the fall, as soon after the school year begins as possible. The start of band classes will be delayed slightly.
2. I'll be posting information here on the ZCS music blog site over the month of May, including some demo videos of the various instruments.
3. We'll bring Meyer Music into school in the fall as well.
4. NO DECISIONS HAVE TO BE MADE NOW!  There is enough to think about with everything else going on right now.

Always available for questions!
Kevin Schonewill
ZCS Bands