Brookside Band Drive Parent Meeting

Welcome to the Brookside Band Program! We’re glad you’re here!

Brookside Band is a Family We want your child to have a safe place where they really belong. On the first day of school, they’re walking into a welcoming environment. Parents are joining band too!

Brookside Band Rocks! We get consistent first divisions & sweepstakes at UIL contest We always place in the Renaissance Festival Band Contest in Plantersville, TX Our beginners make first divisions at Gator Fest

What if my child knows nothing about music? We start teaching music from “scratch”. No prior musical knowledge is expected or necessary. We ask that all beginners practice 15-20 minutes per night.

What activities do beginners typically do outside of school? Christmas Concert Spring Concert Solo Contest in May Gator Fest Band Contest

Social Events Main Event Brookside Band Blast with Games 2 U Spring Trip – Pirates Bay

What activities do more advanced students do? Pep Rallies Perform at an 8th grade football game Region Band Auditions Renaissance Festival School Days Band Contest “World Tour” to Elementary Schools Concerts for Fall, Winter, and Spring “Sound Bites” Ensemble Concert UIL Contest Solo Contest Band gets more exciting the longer you are in it!

How do you do sports and band? Band directors and coaches work together to accommodate both schedules Coaches and band directors want kids to have the freedom to do BOTH sports and band. We all feel that the kids are too young to choose.

Band Boosters We can’t do what we do without parent support

How does my child choose an instrument? Choose a time for Saturday on the sign-up sheet Allow for about 15-30 minutes when you’re with the band director Bring the whole family! Have an idea of what you’d like to play but also have an open mind to explore Let us know about special concerns – dyslexia, health issues Listen for what comes naturally and feels easy The instrument will “choose” your child

What instruments do beginners have to choose from? We need approximately: 10 Flutes 13 Clarinets 6 Alto Saxophones 14 Trumpets 4-5 French Horns 8 Trombones 4-5 Euphoniums/Baritones 4 Tubas 7 Percussionists (not just drummers!) 1-2 Oboes 1-2 Bassoons

How do I get the instrument once we’ve chosen one? Rent or purchase from a reputable music store Two companies will be here on Saturday for your convenience Music & Arts (Bay Area Blvd near Staples) H&H Music (Dixie Farm Rd/Hwy 3 near Ellington Field) Large instruments rent from Brookside $100 per year If finances are an obstacle for your child to obtain an instrument, let us know so that we can help to find a solution. We help several students with this every year. BRAND of instrument is most important.

What if I already have an instrument? If you have an instrument at home, please bring it to the band drive so that the band director can let you know if it will work. We are looking for quality of brand and condition. We want everybody to start on an even playing field. We also want to make sure it’s a fit for your child’s embouchure.

What if my child wants to play percussion? All prospective percussion students need to come Saturday to get an excellent 2nd choice instrument they really like. We have over 25 students auditioning for 7 percussion openings. After you have gotten a good 2nd choice instrument, please wait to be interviewed by Mrs. Troutman. She will call you after all students have auditioned to let you know if your child is selected for percussion. Percussion is over 100 instruments. Percussionists will spend 50% of their time playing marimba/keyboards. Percussion students must rent a marimba for home practice.

Does my child switch instruments every year? No. The point of doing the test drive is finding the perfect fit for your child. We switch only if the child isn’t developing properly on his/her instrument.

Private Lessons We hire the best private instructors we can find Lessons happen before school, during band class, and after school Private Lessons are highly encouraged No beginners should start private lessons now. Please wait until school starts. We know they’re excited to start playing, but we want to closely monitor their progress on a daily basis. Exception to this: Oboe & Bassoon SHOULD start lessons ASAP!

General Questions If you have any specific questions, please see either of us after the meeting.

Welcome to our Brookside Band Family!