The 6th Grade Band year begins with tremendous enthusiasm and fun at the 6th Grade First Lesson Night. After all of the band try-outs are over and students have rented or bought their instruments, we bring the students and parents in to go over how to properly assemble, take apart, and clean your instrument.

We progress by learning basic music theory, learning notes, and working on scales.  By late November or early December, we are able to demonstrate to our parents that we can actually put on a concert together!  Then we begin with all new music and work hard to prepare for a Spring Concert towards the end of the year.

If your child already plays a band instrument or is taking private lessons, you may want to consider auditioning for All-State and Honor Bands.  See the Events / Festivals / All-State page for more details.
 

Band Required Materials

The following materials will be required of all band students during every rehearsal. Students should bring each of these items to class every day, unless instructed otherwise.

• Instrument
• Accessories
  • mouthpiece
    • Hard rubber mouthpiece for clarinets and saxophones
    • 5C or 3C mouthpiece for trumpets
    • mdc mouthpiece for French horns
    • 6 ½ AL mouthpiece for baritones and trombones
  • minimum of 2 good reeds (clarinets, saxophones, and oboes only)
  • neck strap (saxophones)
  • valve/slide oil (brass)
  • slide cream and small water “squirt” bottle (trombones)
  • metal straight mute (trumpets)
  • sticks/mallets and stick bag (percussion)
    • 1 pair general snare drum sticks (SD1 or equivalent)
    • 1 pair yarn marimba/vibe mallets
• Band Method Book (can be found at all local music stores)
  • Warner Brothers Band Expressions, Book 1 (6th Grade)
  • Foundations for Superior Performance (7th and 8th Grade)
• Theory Book
  • Alfred’s Essentials of Music Theory (6th Grade Only)
  • 1” 3-Ring Notebook (6th Grade Only)
• Music Folder
  • provided by local music stores and distributed by band directors
  • all music must be kept in a student’s folder!
  • Students will be responsible for replacing lost sheet music
• Pencil
  • mechanical preferred (it is best to just keep one in your case)
  • no pens, please!
     

Recommended Materials for Home Practice

The following materials will make home practice much more enjoyable and productive!

• Metronome
• Electric Tuner
• Wire Music Stand (required for UGA Clinic, All-State and Honor Bands)
• All-State Sight-reading Book (order forms available from Band Directors)
• Tape Recorder (to record practice sessions)
   

Uniform

When the Dickerson Bands perform, either at Dickerson or elsewhere, band students are acting as representatives of our school, our community, and perhaps even our state. Therefore, it is important for all students in the group to look their best at concerts. Depending on the type of performance and the time of year, the uniform will either be CASUAL or FORMAL.

If CASUAL, students will wear the Dickerson Band T-Shirt, blue jeans (without holes!), and school-appropriate shoes. If we are performing outdoors, shorts may be substituted for jeans. The Sixth Grade Band will always perform in this uniform.

The FORMAL uniform is a black dress with black, closed toe shoes for the girls, and a tuxedo with black socks and black dress shoes for the boys. These will be ordered at the beginning of the school year. Information on the uniform will be sent home from the Parent Uniform Committee in August. In general, formal dress is designed to exhibit pride in yourself, your band, and your school. NO jeans, T-Shirts, or sneakers/tennis shoes will be allowed as part of the FORMAL uniform. All students must wear the proper uniform in order to perform with the band.
 

Grading Policy

A student’s grade in band class is determined through a points system. Students are awarded points for actively participating in class activities, being prepared for class, and completing assignments.

6th Grade Policy

Homework

Although performance assignments evaluate concepts and skills covered in class, students will be expected to practice at home to reinforce and master these concepts and skills. A band student has homework almost EVERY DAY which consists of reviewing material introduced and rehearsed in class, and preparing technical passages for the next day’s rehearsal. Students who do not practice at home may not perform well in class or on playing tests! We know that students have busy schedules, and that many are involved in several after-school activities and sports, but home practice is essential in your child’s musical progress.
 

Helping Your Child Succeed in Band

Parental involvement and guidance are critical to a child’s education, especially with beginning band. There are many things that parents can do to help ensure success with your band student.

How You Can Help Your Child Learn:

• Provide a quiet environment, music stand, and proper chair for your child to practice.
• Schedule a consistent daily time for practice.
• Remain nearby during practice times to encourage and support.
• Praise your child’s efforts and achievements regularly.
• Encourage your child to play for family and friends.
• Try to provide tutoring by an accomplished musician.
• Attend concerts and recitals with your child, encouraging them to experience a wide variety of music.
• Engage your child in conversations about music.
• Keep your child’s instrument in working condition.
• Encourage you child to play many types of music, not just study material.
• Help your child build a personal home library of recordings and sheet music.
• Encourage your child to make at least a two-year commitment to band.
• Show constant interest in your child’s progress and band activities.
• Show support by attending band functions and concerts.
• Talk with the band director on a regular basis about your child’s progress.

What To Do If Your Child Loses Interest:

Occasionally, students will become frustrated with progress on their instrument, especially when the “newness” ends. It is important to help your child through these situations.

• Discuss the situation with your child to determine why their interest is declining.
• Talk with your child’s band director to see what might be done to stimulate interest.
• Encourage your child to continue for a specified length of time.
• Offer increased enthusiasm and support.
• Find new sources of inspiration such as live musical theater performances, different artist’s recordings and concerts that feature your child’s instrument
• Attend band festivals, college band performances, community band and symphony orchestra concerts, allowing your child to project their possible future musical experiences.
• Seek advice from parents of other band members.
• Find an older student mentor for support and musical interaction.
• Host a band party!
• As a last resort, discuss the possibility of switching to another instrument or music class with your child’s director.
  
  
  Source: Gary Markham, Supervisor, Instrumental Music