We are very excited that your child has selected BAND as their 6th grade elective choice! We know that band helps to create some of the very best students that come through Ponder Junior High. Below are a few things that parents regularly want to know or that I feel are important for you to understand about the Junior High Band. While we have a LOT of fun and students love being a part of our program, we do expect a lot from our students and want to ensure everyone is aware of the following:

1. Band takes hard work and practice. We are teaching and developing a skill that requires muscles memory. Like any physical skill, it must be practiced on a daily basis for a student to be successful. We require 150 minutes of at-home practice a week (approximately 20-30 minutes per day).

2. Band is so different from anything else your child has ever done. They are going to be really bad at first. :) It's normal for kids to get frustrated from time to time, especially in the beginning. It is important for parents and band directors to be on the same team, encouraging our students to keep working a little at a time to make the progress that will make them feel successful and have a strong sense of pride later.

3. Band teaches students about responsibility, preparedness, teamwork, and self-evaluation. Sometimes failure in a safe environment is the BEST way to learn.

4. Individual private lessons are available and strongly encouraged for every student in our program. Nothing can replace one-on-one time (especially in beginner band), and weekly lessons help students learn what they PERSONALLY need to do to be successful. We have a fantastic team of vetted private lessons teachers teaching on our campus that want nothing more than to help your child meet their potential.

5. Band does require some financial investment in your child's future. However, the benefits of this investment are tenfold.

6. Every instrument in the band is INCREDIBLY important, and we promise to do our absolute best to place your child on an instrument that is going to be a positive experience for them. We need them to love their instrument so they will want to spend more time with it! Even during this time of social distancing, we will spend a LOT of time working to place your child appropriately. Students enjoy things that they are good at, and we can use the answers provided in this form to help place your child appropriately. We are professionals in our field and have a wealth of experience in exactly this thing- trust us. :)

7. We hold our band students to very high behavior expectations both in our classroom and in their other classes. Band kids are the BEST kids everywhere!

8. Band is life-changing. Students who enter our program come out better humans and musicians.

9. Students CAN and DO participate in both band AND choir, as well as band AND athletics in their Junior High careers. Students will be successful in both if they apply themselves.

While most of this seems obvious, we want to make sure you understand that band is a special place at Ponder Junior High, and we take great pride in making our students awesome. Welcome to the Ponder Band Family!