Beginning Band (6th Grade)

INSTRUMENT OPTIONS:

Beginning band students may choose from the following instruments:

  • FLUTE

  • CLARINET

  • TRUMPET

  • TROMBONE

  • BARITONE

  • *PERCUSSION

*PERCUSSION students must understand they will be playing a mix of drums and mallet instruments and must be equally proficient in both. Additionally, there is a cap on how many percussionists will be accepted into the program on a first-come-first-serve basis depending on the beginning band survey that is filled out.

Any students interested in SAXOPHONE must have at least one year of experience on the clarinet in 6th grade band. They will be able to change to saxophone in 7th grade.

Any students interested in TUBA usually must first start on BARITONE or TROMBONE.

HOW TO GET STARTED: STEPS FOR JOINING BAND:

  1. Make sure you are signed up for band by checking your PowerSchools. If you are not signed up, please contact your counselor to sign up. 

  2. If your student is an incoming 6th grader and plans to be in band you will need to fill out the beginning band survey. It is located at the top of this page. Note: Survey will activate at the end of the first week of school.

  3. Contact Mr. Switzer if you have any questions!

Practice Tips

Sometimes the hardest part of practicing is taking the instrument home and taking it out of its case. I do not expect everybody to be professionals in my program, but I do expect each individual to work hard every day to become great. Here are some tips on how to practice:

  1. Take out your instrument and assemble it!

  2. Practice fundamentals: when we work on our fundamentals, music gets easier! Fundamentals can be summed up into three basic concepts – Time, Tone and Technique.

  3. Practice your band music: once you have practiced your fundamentals, you can apply those fundamentals to our band music.

  4. Listen to recordings of your instrument: In order to know what your instrument should sound like; we must listen to the professionals play their instrument. Listening to recordings can help a lot, as well as, going to live performances from local colleges and professionals!

  5. PRACTICE SLOWLY: I cannot emphasize enough the importance of practicing your music and your fundamentals slowly. If you can play it slow, you can play it fast!