WSP Grade Six Band

The Grade Six band program provides students who have little or no experience the opportunity to learn how to play a musical instrument. While learning how to play an instrument, students will also develop listening skills and performance skills. Band also gives students an avenue for creativity and self expression. Last year we had an evening demonstration class in fall and an evening concert in spring.

The Grade Six band is designed for students who have not played a concert band instrument. We begin the year by learning how to assemble our instruments and maintain them properly. Proper tone production on the mouthpiece is essential to producing a clear sound on the entire instrument. A few days are spent learning the embouchure, or shape of the muscles around the mouth, before we actually blow through the entire instrument. We also learn how to breathe correctly. Once we have talked about these concepts, we are ready to experiment with playing a clear tone on the mouthpiece of our instruments. Next we need to learn the basics of reading a fingering chart for our particular instrument. Each note that we play has a certain fingering. One of the most important skills when dealing with fingerings is to remember what the name of the note is, where it is positioned on the staff and what fingers are needed to produce that tone.

Instrument Choices are:

FLUTE, CLARINET, TRUMPET, TROMBONE
BARITONE*, TUBA*, PERCUSSION*

* These are the only instruments available through the school. There are a limited number of these instruments available.

In June upcoming Grade Six students are invited to come to the school to select an instrument for the Grade Six band program. The band director will provide parents with information regarding the instrument chosen, including rental/purchase options and the supplies that will be needed for that particular instrument. When the decision is made to join the band, the initial commitment is for one year. Supplies can be purchased at school or at a music store. You can save time and money by purchasing these supplies from the school. Supply prices can be found in the band room, on the school website, and on the back of this page.

Assessment and Evaluation

Students will demonstrate understanding of concepts and execution of skills through playing tests, which are performed in class. Students also hand in monthly practice calendars signed by their parents.

For more information try the WSP Band Index.

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