Welcome to the Rogers Band Parent Informational Meeting on Instrument Placement

Agenda for Tonight’s Meeting Introduction to the band program Introduction of Staff How are the Classes structured? What instruments can I play? Rogers MS/Berry Miller JH/Dawson HS Instrumentation Considerations Classes with limited enrollment Process for Selecting Instruments Where do I rent instruments? School owned vs. Self-provided Pearland ISD Instrument Rental Policies Specialized Instruments What to do tonight?

The Rogers “Rocket” Band!! The largest organization on campus! Students come to band every day in “like instrument classes” Students are worked with a specialized teacher that will work with them every day Students perform five times during the 6th grade year Holiday Concert, During School Holiday Program, Solo Contest, Full Band Contest, Spring Concert Students only have THREE outside of school rehearsals the entire year, usually early December, Late April, and Early May. Those dates/times will be communicated to you all at the beginning of the school year. We hire special “master-class” teachers to work with students throughout the school year. We are a VERY social group as well, taking field trips to Putt-Putt Funhouse, Main Event, and Itz Pizza!!

Rogers “Rocket” Band Staff Chris Bennett – Beginning Clarinet, Bassoon, and Saxophone Heather Massey – Beginning Flute, Oboe, Saxophone, and Horn Bennett Parsons – Beginning Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba Justin Zimerman – Beginning Percussion

How are the Classes structured? The instrument you play (for the most part) determines your child's team for next school year. Exception is the 6B Team or other special scheduling concerns. We offer all instruments for all students. If your student has a team change, we MAY have to change instruments as well depending on the instrument and the team. This is to ensure we keep our “like” instrument classes. Your child comes to band every day for 40-45 minutes. They work with the same teachers everyday working on a variety of activities and music types. Instruments and materials are brought home everyday. For students playing the larger instruments like tuba and euphonium, a home instrument will be provided. All instruments will be allowed on the bus (except for tuba and euphonium).

What instruments can I play? Woodwind Brass/Percussion Flute Oboe Bassoon Clarinet Saxophone Trumpet Horn Trombone Euphonium Tuba Percussion

Rogers MS/Berry Miller JH/Dawson HS Instrumentation Considerations What this means for your and your student? Important to maintain a balanced instrumentation from 6th – 12th grade. We are Dawson HS primary feeder. Our goals: Match your student with the instrument that BEST fits and suits them. (kind of like the sorting hat in Harry Potter) Guide your student to select an instrument that they will be successful on, long term. We as the directors, ask that you TRUST our professional opinion and expertise as we guide your student to help them select the best instrument for them.

Classes with limited enrollment Purpose? Saxophone Class and Percussion Class Any student can do either of these. Procedure if your student would like to play one of these instruments Important for the students to be open minded and select two other “non- limited” enrolled classes as well, please.

Process for Selecting Instruments Step 1 – THIS MEETING!! Step 2 Tonight, sign up for a time in the back of the room when we are dismissed. You will be signing up for a 15-minute appointment time on a specific day with a specific director. All percussion candidates will need to sign up with Mr. Davis on one of those three nights. Please write the date/time down, we will not be able to send out reminders. Step 3 Instrument Selection Night Come with 3 instruments in mind Saxophone/Percussion candidates will be asked to select two other instruments that are not either saxophone or percussion. i.e. Saxophone, Clarinet, Bassoon i.e. Percussion, Horn, Oboe Saxophone/Percussion candidates will be asked to come back for a follow up meeting after we’ve seen all the candidates for the final decision. That date swill be published at the beginner selection nights. (Around the last week of May) Step 4 Instrument & Supply Rental – Music & Arts will be onsite for all 3 nights! Please use the as a convenient option.

Where do I rent instruments? Music & Arts Will be on hand at each of the three nights to help you. They are able to get all of the instruments and supplies necessary for your child’s upcoming year in band! Should I buy an instrument? What if we have an instrument at home already? Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone – Rent Instruments Oboe, Bassoon, Horn, Euphonium, Tuba – Purchase supplies and “rent” through Pearland ISD. Percussion – Purchase supplies and rent a practice marimba at home for them to use.

School Owned vs. Self-Provided Oboe Bassoon Horn Euphonium Tuba Percussion* Flute Clarinet Saxophone Trumpet Trombone Percussion*

Pearland ISD Instrument Rental Policies PISD School board approved policy for school owned instruments. Oboe, Bassoon, Horn, Euphonium, Tuba, & Percussion Private Lessons Benefits to your student! Instrument Rental Fee $50/semester for Oboe, Bassoon, Horn, Euphonium, & Tuba $50 for the Spring Semester Only for Percussion What does that pay for?

Specialized Instruments Oboe & Bassoon Students will need to begin regular lessons during this summer with a PISD private lesson instructor. No instrument rental fee for the summer, you will pay that fee when the school year begins. Reasons why?

What to do tonight? First, THANK YOU!!!! Second, please sign up for a beginner interview date/time on one of the sheets in the back. Please remember to sign up with Mr. Davis if you are planning on trying out for Percussion. Third, write down your day and time or set a reminder in your phone.

THANK YOU!!!! Thank you for coming tonight and listening to our presentation! If you have any questions, please email us: bennettc@pearlandisd.org masseyh@pearlandisd.org parsonsb@pearlandisd.org zimermanj@pearlandisd.org