You are receiving this email because your child has expressed an interest in participating in band this year at school!

Band is offered at the Barkhamsted School from grades 4 through 6 as part of expanding and enriching your child’s musical education. Working as a team in band to perform music is a lot of fun but also a big responsibility. To sound our best, we need to spend time practicing each week as well as bring all of our supplies to instrument lessons and band rehearsal each week.

Band and instrumental lessons will meet every Thursday*.

The lessons meet on a rotation so that students won't miss the same instructional time/specials each week. Occasionally, these lessons are modified to accommodate assemblies or other special activities and these changes are posted on the band bulletin board. For more information about the schedule rotation, please look at the band website (https://www.barkhamstedschool.org/page/instrumental-music).

The expectation is that students are committing to a full year of band. Should your child decide they want to quit band, I must hear a confirmation from a parent/guardian before they are officially out of band.

If you are unsure what equipment your child's instrument requires, please ask and I am happy to help!

Students need to bring the following with them to each band rehearsal and lesson:
- Instrument
- Instrument-specific cleaning and care equipment (reeds, valve oil, cleaning swab, etc.)
- Pencil
- Music & Folder
- Instrumental Book -  Standard of Excellence: Book 1 (for their instrument)
- Practice Log

* Please note - at this time, we are no longer asking that students use instrument face masks or instrument "end covers" for their instruments. If there were to be new guidelines for masking, those items may be required.

I expect that students will practice at least 60 minutes each week. It is best to spread this time out over several days rather than playing 60 minutes all in one day. Each student will have a practice log to keep track of their practice time each week.

Those students who practice 60 minutes or more each week will get a small reward when they show their completed practice log. Parents/Guardians, please initial your child’s practice log at the end of each week to help encourage good practice habits.

Students are expected to behave in such a way that they show responsibility for the music and their peers; participation in band is a privilege.

Some 6th graders may be asked to take on leadership roles in the band. These roles are a privilege.

Behavior expectations in band will use a "strike" system. Behaviors that warrant a call/email home count as a strike. When a student has 3 strikes, they may no longer participate in band for the 2023-2024 school year.

- Winter Concert (December 14, 2023  --  snow date: December 21, 2023)

- Spring Concert (May 23, 2024)