Dear Westbriar E.S. families,
The Band and Strings program at our school is one of the largest and most successful in the county, and we encourage your child to consider joining one of these wonderful musical groups this year.
Participating in Band and Strings not only teaches a child how to read music and play a specific instrument, but it also teaches them how to be creative, enhances analytical skills, have confidence to try new things, develop self-discipline and time management skills, and to be a contributing member of a group activity.
In FCPS, all 4th-6th grade students have the opportunity to play a stringed instrument; all 5th-6th grade students have the opportunity to play a string or band instrument. Students can choose Strings or Band, but not both. Instruction will occur once per week for an hour during the school day.
We will be meeting with students during the first two weeks of school to demonstrate and talk about all of the instruments that students can choose from. Students will have a chance to try the instruments and talk to the instrumental music teachers about which instrument will be best for them.
Please review the information below about the Band and Strings program. When you are ready, proceed to register by clicking the “Register” link at the bottom. Registration closes on Thursday September 9th. We expect to start instrumental music classes on Monday, September 13th.
Instrument Choices:
- Strings: (Grades 4-6) Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass
- Band: (Grades 5-6) Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone,
Tuba (we have these at school for rental), and
Percussion (percussion students need to rent a bell kit, which
includes a set of bells, a practice pad and possibly a snare drum)
We hope to see your child in one of our instrument ensembles this year!
Thank you,
John Barger - Orchestra Director,
jtbarger@fcps.edu Jill Skeen - Orchestra Director,
jmskeen@fcps.edu Helen Landers - Band Director,
hlanders@fcps.edu