Dear 4^th and 5^th Grade Students and Parents:

Beginning Band will be starting soon for 4th and 5th graders. Band is an extremely fun experience that can last a lifetime! Band not only helps you develop musically, it also builds the traits of self-discipline, teamwork, and personal responsibility which help kids excel in all subject areas. 

Beginning band classes are held at Finn Hill Middle School in the band and choir rooms from 7:45 to 8:30 am on Mondays, Wednesdays, and every other Friday. On Fridays, we alternate between flutes and clarinets one week, and trumpets, trombones, and baritones, the next. We’ll pass out the Friday schedule on the first day of class. The first day will be Monday, September 19^th. Students need their own transportation to FHMS for band. The district provides a band bus that takes students to their elementary school after band.

There is no cost for elementary band, but you will need to provide an instrument and a book. Instruments can be purchased or rented at many local music stores. We highly recommend that beginners rent their instruments. If you are thinking about purchasing a used instrument or using a “hand-me-down”, we recommend that you have it checked out by a repair shop. Please be very wary of instruments that are being sold at discount stores or at low prices online. These are nearly always made of inferior materials and non-standard parts which can not be replaced or repaired. If you plan to buy an instrument and you are unfamiliar with the brand, please contact Mr. Maier before you make the purchase. The book you will need is “Accent on Achievement” Book 1. It will be available where you rent your instruments.

Beginning Band students can choose between the flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, and baritone. Students who want to play saxophone should start on the clarinet as it provides better beginner training. Students interested in percussion instruments should start on a wind instrument. In January we will hold auditions for percussion.

We will be hosting Beginning Band Orientation on Monday, September 12th, at 6:00 pm at Finn Hill Middle School in the band room. This is an informal opportunity for students and parents to learn about the instruments, the band program, and meet the directors. Juanita High School students will be there to demonstrate each of the instruments. If your kids aren’t sure which instrument they would like to play, we will also have instruments available for them to try out.

Parents, we’d love to have a very large turnout for band.  However, please remind your child that starting band is a serious commitment that requires practicing at home to master the skills needed for success and enjoyment.

 

Registration is open on the district webpage.

Click on Programs and Services then Elementary Band and Orchestra.

If you are reading this online, you can use this link.

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=P2fUH5bfIUaGOKHYjEyF16Ye86-OM9pJmfFjrI-kjKFUOTZHQVVFWFY3VlUzTFZWWUZZVk1RSjJERCQlQCNjPTEu

 

Please contact Mr. Maier at Finn Hill if you have any questions. 425-936-2340 ext. 54115, rmaier@lwsd.org

We look forward starting your kids on a great musical journey!

 

Ron Maier

Serena Scrivner

5^th Grade Band!

 

Dear Fifth Grade Band Students,

We are looking forward to another fun year of band!

Fifth Grade Band meets on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 7:45 to 8:30 AM in the Finn Hill band and choir rooms.  You will need your own transportation to Finn Hill and there will be a bus to take you back to your elementary school after class.  Our first day of band will be Tuesday, September 20th.

We will start the year with the same book we used last year, Accent on Achievement, Book 1.

Fifth Grade Band will be really fun. You will make a lot of progress, build new skills, and the music you play will be more challenging and interesting. You even get to go on your first band field trip at the end of the year!

Online registration is open for parents to register students. Go to the LWSD website, under Programs and Services you will find the Elementary Band and Orchestra link. On question 10, be sure to select “Prior band experience”.  If you are viewing this online, you can use this link. https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=P2fUH5bfIUaGOKHYjEyF16Ye86-OM9pJmfFjrI-kjKFUOTZHQVVFWFY3VlUzTFZWWUZZVk1RSjJERCQlQCNjPTEu

See you on Tuesday, September 20th!

 

Musically,

Mr. Maier

Ms Scrivner