6th Grade Band

Required Performances

Our 6th Grade Band has three required performances:

Wednesday, December 20, Holiday Concert, NHS Auditorium, 7:00p

Wednesday, March 13 "Think Spring"  Concert, NHS Auditorium, 7:00p

Tuesday,  May 28, Band Spectacular Concert, NHS Auditorium, 7:00p

Welcome to the WMS 6th Grade Band!  I hope your child has a terrific experience this year!!!  

Band and music is a rewarding and enriching endeavor.  I hope to share with your child my love of music.  I will do everything I can to give your child the best musical experience possible.

Although you may cringe at times when your child is practicing at home (make sure they practice often!), the musical growth your child will make throughout the year will be extraordinary.  You will be amazed at the progress your child and the entire band will make at our concerts in December, March and June.  

Parents, you can help your child succeed this year by being positive with their playing (no matter what they sound like in the early going), and, by nurturing consistent practice habits at home!

Please feel free to contact me via phone or email at any time.  Welcome to our band program!

WMS Band Calendar, 2023-24

1st Day with Instruments!

The 6th grade band will begin playing on either Tuesday, September 5 or Wednesday, September 6, depending on your child's class rotation.  All students should have their instrument in class or ready to go at home during the 1st FULL week of school (week of September 5).  I can't wait for our first rehearsal as a 6th grade band!

Band Books!

Our WMS 6th Grade students will use the Essential Elements for Band-Book 1.  We will use the books all year, both in class and at home.  Books can be purchased at Marshall Music, Meyer Music or on Amazon!

Frequently Asked Questions 

What will my child need for band by September 5?

When will my child need the instrument?

Students will begin playing during the second week of school (September 6).  It is highly recommend that each student have his or her instrument at this time. If you are unable to obtain an instrument by this time, please contact us and we will do our best to help you.  Please do not allow your child to put it together during the summer until we teach them the correct way to do so.  This will avoid unnecessary damage to your new instrument! 

Do I have to buy or rent an instrument for my child? 

Most parents arrange a rental-purchase plan with a local music store.  This type of plan allows the student to use the instrument on a rental basis for an initial trial period.  Always rent your instrument from a music store that has a qualified repair shop.

Can my child play a used instrument?

Many fine used instruments are available from former band students and local music companies.  Please do not purchase a used instrument until you have had it evaluated by Mr. Kozian, or, at a local music store.  There are wide variations in the value and quality of all musical instruments.  We have found that an older instrument in need of repair can sometimes hinder the student’s progress. Also, you must evaluate the cost of renting versus the cost of purchasing.  Do not buy a used instrument until you are confident it is in top playing condition.  We also ask that you avoid purchasing instruments from catalog companies.  These instruments, while cheap, are of extremely poor quality.  In addition, local music stores will not fix broken instruments from these companies. 

Are instruments available from the school?

Families provide most instruments.  In order to balance the instrumentation in the band, the school does provide some of the more expensive instruments.  These instruments are normally assigned to students who have the ideal physical characteristics to play them.  The instruments that our school provides are the french horn, baritone and tuba.  There are other instruments the school provides, such as the tenor and baritone saxophones, bass clarinet, oboe and bassoon that students may switch to in seventh or eighth grade.  WMS does have a limited amount of instruments such as the trumpet, clarinet, trombone and flute.  Please contact me at your earliest convenience if you can’t afford to rent or purchase an instrument; we want your child in band, no matter what!

What are some reputable brands of band instruments?

In order for your child to succeed, they will need a band instrument that works well!  The market is flooded with poorly made instruments.  Fortunately, Marshall and Meyer Music sells only the best brands.  The internet, however, if full of ¨off brand¨ instruments.  Even though they look shiny & new, they will often break quickly.  The local music stores will not repair them.  Below you will find some of the best brands for beginning band students:

Flute:  Yamaha, Emerson, Gemeinhardt, Artly, Armstrong

Clarinet:  Yamaha, Vito, Selmer, LeBlanc, Buffet

Oboe:  Yamaha, Selmer, Renard, Fox, Buffet

Bassoon:  Yamaha, Renard, Fox

Alto Saxophone:  Yamaha, Vito, Selmer, Keilwerth

Trumpet:  Yamaha, King, Holton, Getzen, Conn, Blessing, Bach

French Horn:  Yamaha, Holton, Conn, Bach

Trombone:  Yamaha, King, Holton, Getzen, Conn, Bach

Baritone:  Yamaha, King, Bach, Holton

Tuba:  Yamaha, King, Bach, Holton

Percussion (students need a percussion kit - includes practice pad and bells):  Yamaha, Pearl, Ludwig


What happens if my child signs up for band, however, when we receive the class schedule, band is not on it?

Call the middle school office immediately.  Make sure the school has your child enrolled in band class!


When are our concerts this year?

We have three required concerts:  

Wednesday, December 20, Wednesday, March 13 & Tuesday, May 28.  

All concerts are required and begin at 7:00p.  The performances will take place either in the NHS or CHS Auditorium.


Is private instruction available and is it required?

While we encourage private instruction, it is not required to participate in band.  Professional musicians from the Kalamazoo area will teach your child, one on one.  The lessons will take place virtually. You will have the opportunity to sign up your child for virtual lessons when school starts!


How important is practicing at home?

In order to have the best chance to succeed in learning to play an instrument, students will need to practice at home.  It is important to have a quiet place to practice and to establish a regular practice schedule.  The amount of time necessary for practice will vary from student to student.  I also highly suggest that you purchase a wire music stand for home practice.   It is very important for parents to encourage practice and to praise the results.


Is there a music company available in which to rent or buy instruments?

Yes!  Most families rent an instrument from Marshall Music in Portage or Meyer Music in Kalamazoo!


How much will it cost to rent a new instrument?

Most instruments cost between $25-50 a month.  All music companies have a rent-to-own program.  You will receive a name brand instrument in excellent condition

Frequently Asked Questions from Students!


What instrument choices will I have in 6th grade band?

Students in the WMS 6th grade band will be able to play the following instruments in the fall:  Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone, Tuba & Percussion (bells and snare drum)


When will I need to have my instrument at school for the first time?

We will begin playing our instruments in class beginning the week of September 5.  Make sure your instrument is at school that week!  You do not want to get behind!


Should I bring my instrument to band the 1st week of school?

No!  You will have too much going on!  We will not begin playing until September 5.  Keep your instrument at home the first week of school!


When will I have Band Class?

Each band class meets every other day (band class alternates days with Physical Education).  For example, if you have band on Monday, you will go to gym on Tuesday, then band on Wednesday, etc.  You will never have the same class two days in a row!  You will either have band during 5th or 7th hour depending on the instrument you play!


Do we use a text book?

Yes!  We use a band method book called "Essential Elements, Volume 1."  This can be purchased in the WMS Band room or, at Marshall Music.  We will begin in this method book during the week of September 11!


Can I begin on Alto Sax?

No!  We do not start students on alto sax.  Students who are interested in playing the alto sax should begin on the clarinet.  


Do I have to practice?

Yes!  Practicing is our homework in band class.  You will be awesome players when you practice your instrument.  Don't worry...you will have time to practice.  You should practice between 20-30 minutes every-other-night!  The more you practice, the better you will be!


Where will I store my instrument when I am not using it?

All band students are assigned a band locker and school-issued lock.  The band lockers are located in the band room.  This is a safe location to keep your valuable instrument!  You will be assigned a band locker the week of September 6.  Some students who play flute or clarinet elect to keep their instrument in their coat locker.  This is up to you.


I take the bus home and it's packed!  How will I get my instrument home?

Don't worry!  If you play a large instrument you have some options:

1.  You can practice after school and BAND JAM!  This is our after-school practice club that meets from 2:40-3:25 on Tuesday & Thursday.

2.  You can practice during XTS every day!  This is our school-wide study hall.

3.  You can arrange a ride home with your parents on the weekend.  This a great time to take your instrument home!


Can I participate in sports while in band?

Yes!!!  You will not have conflicts with athletics in middle school.  In the case that something does come up, the coaches and I will work it out!  



Buying or Renting an Instrument

Before purchasing a new or used instrument, please check out the list of reputable brands.  There are many "off brand" instruments out on the market!  

Stores such as Marshall Music or Meyer Music will provide brands and models similar to the list below:

Flutes: Yamaha YFL-200AD (open hole) or Gemeinhardt 73SP (open hole) 

 - If looking for good used flute we recommend staying with Gemeinhardt, Yamaha or Armstrong

Oboe: Selmer 1492B

- If looking for good used oboe we recommend staying with Selmer, Yamaha or Fox Renard

Clarinets: Selmer SOL300W (wood) or Yamaha 34 wood

- If looking for good used Clarinets we recommend staying with Selmer, Yamaha or Buffet)

French Horn: Yamaha or Holton 200 double horn (w/ Holton Farkas Mouthpiece and rotary valve oil)

- If looking for good used Double French Horns we recommend staying with Yamaha, Holton or Conn

Trumpets: Bach or Yamaha 2335 (w/ Bach 5C or 7C mouthpiece and valve oil)

- If looking for good used Trumpet we recommend staying with Yamaha or Bach

Trombones: Yamaha YSL-200AD (w/ Bach 6 ½ AL Mouthpiece)

- If looking for good used Trombone we recommend staying with Yamaha or Bach

Euphoniums: School provided instrument or you can rent - Yamaha YEP-201 (All students need to purchase a w/ Bach 6 ½ AL Mouthpiece)

Tuba: School provided instrument – (All students purchase Conn Helleberg Mouthpiece)

Percussion: Musser Xylo Kit or Bell Kit (2 recent years of piano are required)


Supplies

All 6th Grade Band Students Need the Following Items:

1.  An instrument in good working condition!

2.  An Essential Elements, Volume 1, Music Book (available to purchase at WMS or Marshall Music)

3.  A wire music stand to practice at HOME!

***Pencils are provided daily in class!

In addition, plan on providing the following items both in class and at home:

FLUTE:  cleaning swab and rod (a handkerchief will do for a swab) & polishing cloth

CLARINET: 3 reeds in good condition (Mitchell Lurie #3), cork grease, silk cleaning swab

OBOE:  3 reeds (Jones Brand medium are great to begin on!), swab, reed case , cork grease, small water-tight container for water 

BASSOON:  3 reeds (Jones Brand medium are great to begin on!), swab,      reed case , cork grease, small water-tight container for water 

TRUMPET:  valve oil (Marshall Music sells their own brand), tuning slide grease (I use petroleum jelly), mouthpiece brush, snake and a soft cloth

FRENCH HORN:  rotary valve oil, tuning slide oil or petroleum jelly, mouthpiece brush and a soft cloth

TROMBONE:  slide oil or slide cream (I love super slick), tuning slide oil or petroleum jelly, mouthpiece brush, and a soft cloth

BARITONE:  valve oil, tuning slide oil or cream (I use petroleum jelly), mouthpiece brush and a soft cloth

TUBA: valve oil, tuning slide oil or cream (I use petroleum jelly), mouthpiece brush and a soft cloth

PERCUSSION:  Bell Kit with drum pad. Sticks for snare (2B) and bells.  Good idea to get the case w/wheels.

Band Locks & Lockers

Students will select a band locker (located in the band room) the first week of school.  Your child can keep their band instrument & supplies in the band locker any time the instrument is not being used.  

The lockers can be secured with a master-lock.  Please have your child bring one from home.  This will keep your investment safe!  

Students who play clarinet, oboe, flute & percussion can keep their band instrument (percussion - mallets & sticks) in their coat locker. This is optional.