Prospective Band Members
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to be in band?
We are starting a new system to ensure that every student has what they need to have a successful year in band. In 6th grade, there is a base band fee of $50, which includes the CMS Band Polo (required for all performances), instrument book, and all cleaning/care supplies for the instrument. There is also the option to add other materials (such as mouthpieces, reeds, etc.) to get these supplies at an educator price (25% off retail!). More information will be sent home during the first week of school. We are more than willing to work with you to cover the cost! No student will ever be turned away due to financial difficulties! We want every student that wants to be in band to stay in band!
What is the time commitment like?
Students will have band class every other day as a part of their schedule. Outside of this, we will have 4 concerts per year (October, December, March and May) that take place in the evening. There is also a night that all 6th and 7th grade band students are invited to come to a CHS Football game and join the CHS Marching Yellow Jackets on the field to play our fight song!
How does my child choose an instrument?
Ms. Knapp will come to CES for a few days during the month of February. All students even remotely interested in joining band should come and try out all 11 instruments that we have! After students try all of the instruments, we see which one they liked the best and which one they were naturally able to make the best sound on. Taking these factors into account, we decide on an instrument together. A form is then sent home to be signed by parents and officially register the students for band!
What if my child wants to play a different instrument than you decided during instrument fittings?
Your child has already been signed up for an instrument from testing in the spring. They are in a class based on this instrument, so it is vital that we not switch instruments unless absolutely necessary. Please contact Mrs. Webb immediately if you have any concerns: webbs@calhounschools.org
How/where do I get an instrument?
When looking at options for getting an instrument, please consider the following:
If you are worried about the financial obligation that goes along with the renting or purchasing of an instrument, please contact Mrs. Webb ASAP! We will NEVER turn away a student for financial difficulties!
How much does it cost to be in band?
We are starting a new system to ensure that every student has what they need to have a successful year in band. In 6th grade, there is a base band fee of $50, which includes the CMS Band Polo (required for all performances), instrument book, and all cleaning/care supplies for the instrument. There is also the option to add other materials (such as mouthpieces, reeds, etc.) to get these supplies at an educator price (25% off retail!). More information will be sent home during the first week of school. We are more than willing to work with you to cover the cost! No student will ever be turned away due to financial difficulties! We want every student that wants to be in band to stay in band!
What is the time commitment like?
Students will have band class every other day as a part of their schedule. Outside of this, we will have 4 concerts per year (October, December, March and May) that take place in the evening. There is also a night that all 6th and 7th grade band students are invited to come to a CHS Football game and join the CHS Marching Yellow Jackets on the field to play our fight song!
How does my child choose an instrument?
Ms. Knapp will come to CES for a few days during the month of February. All students even remotely interested in joining band should come and try out all 11 instruments that we have! After students try all of the instruments, we see which one they liked the best and which one they were naturally able to make the best sound on. Taking these factors into account, we decide on an instrument together. A form is then sent home to be signed by parents and officially register the students for band!
What if my child wants to play a different instrument than you decided during instrument fittings?
Your child has already been signed up for an instrument from testing in the spring. They are in a class based on this instrument, so it is vital that we not switch instruments unless absolutely necessary. Please contact Mrs. Webb immediately if you have any concerns: webbs@calhounschools.org
How/where do I get an instrument?
When looking at options for getting an instrument, please consider the following:
- If your child is playing flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, or trombone …
- Option 1: Renting an instrument.
- We host a music company for two nights in August where students can rent instruments. This is where parents sign a contract and make monthly payments (ranging from about $25-$70 per month) on the instrument until it is fully owned. The company we use also has quality instruments that are put on a maintenance plan for free repairs for normal wear and tear! I highly recommend coming on this night to get your instrument.
- Option 2: Buying an instrument.
- This is another option. Please know that quality instruments are fairly expensive ($500+). You may be able to find cheaper instruments, but a good rule of thumb is to not get an instrument where you can also buy tennis shoes or toilet paper J
- When buying an instrument, look for the following brands:
- FLUTES – Jupiter, Yamaha, or Gemeinhardt
- CLARINETS - Buffet, Selmer, Jupiter, or Yamaha
- SAXOPHONES - Yamaha, Selmer, or Jupiter
- TRUMPETS & TROMBONES - Bach, King, Conn, or Yamaha
- Option 3: “I already have an instrument that has been passed down or I found used online.”
- If you are using an instrument that has been used by someone else, please ensure that you bring it to Ms. Knapp to examine. There may need to be some repairs made in order to bring it to good playing condition.
- Option 1: Renting an instrument.
- If your child is playing baritone or tuba…
- These instruments are much more expensive, so we have school-owned instruments for these students to use. To use a school-owned instrument, there will be a $30 maintenance fee for the year. More information about this will be sent home when school begins.
- You WILL need to purchase a mouthpiece for your student. We have these available to purchase via an add-on for the CMS Band Fee, which will allow for you to get the correct mouthpiece at a 25% educational discount when purchased through the school. If you would like to get the mouthpiece on your own, you will need the following models:
- BARITONE – Bach 6 ½ AL or equivalent
- TUBA – Bach 24AW or equivalent
- If your child is playing percussion…
- This past year, we were able to use some of our fundraising profits to purchase a class set of drum pads and bell kits. Students will be able to use these in class, as well as have them available for checkout for at-home practice.
- You WILL need a beginning percussion mallet pack with xylophone, marimba, and timpani mallets, as well as snare drum sticks. This is included in your band fee, which again allows us to get you the mallets for 25% off retail prices..
If you are worried about the financial obligation that goes along with the renting or purchasing of an instrument, please contact Mrs. Webb ASAP! We will NEVER turn away a student for financial difficulties!