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Why Study Music?
Band in your FutureAlmost all Band students also participate in:
Varsity Sports
High Level Academic Classes
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Your Band ExperienceNext year you will have the opportunity become part of Mt. Healthy’s great and long-standing band legacy.
Participating in our band will be fun, rewarding and full of opportunities for challenge and growth. Throughout your band experience you will create friendships, memories and experiences that will last a lifetime. As a band member you can feel confident that you are part of a family that stretches from elementary all the way to senior year, graduation and beyond. As a 7th grader or Freshman you will be able to start your year with confidence because you are part of the band family and someone will always have your back. Not only is band fun but it will help you become successful. Research shows that band students have higher SAT and ACT scores, better attendance and graduation rates and lower chances of alcohol or drug abuse later in life. The foremost technical designers and engineers in Silicon Valley are nearly all practicing musicians. In band you will work towards common goals and strive for excellence. Band will help you reach new heights you never thought possible. Creative problem solving skills are essential to success in college and today’s job market; band will teach you the problem solving skills many CEOs look for in their employees. Far above and beyond any other reason you will have a chance to create music |
Choosing an instrument can be difficult; you may want to research how each instrument sounds by listening to quality musical clips.
The 6 instruments choices are listed inside. In addition students can start on French Horn or Baritone. Those thinking about Baritone should note it is large. The French Horn can be difficult for student with no musical experience. Students interested in either can always switch later.
On the sign up sheet each student will indicate their 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice. Almost all will get their first choice; however, like a good football team, a good band needs all positions covered in order to succeed
The 6 instruments choices are listed inside. In addition students can start on French Horn or Baritone. Those thinking about Baritone should note it is large. The French Horn can be difficult for student with no musical experience. Students interested in either can always switch later.
On the sign up sheet each student will indicate their 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice. Almost all will get their first choice; however, like a good football team, a good band needs all positions covered in order to succeed
Flute
The Flute is one of the higher voices in the band and often plays the melody and other fast passages.
The flute uses all of the fingers and can be awkward to hold when you first start out. It will take practice for beginners to develop the necessary coordination. Later in Jr./Sr. high school many flute players have an easy time learning piccolo or saxophone for jazz band. |
Clarinet
The Clarinet can play a wide rage of notes from low to high. Like the flute it often plays the melody and fast passages.
The clarinet uses all the fingers and players must cover holes to produce a sound. Later students can learn bass clarinet or sax. The clarinet uses wooden reeds to produce sound. The clarinet is used in a variety of music including Jazz. |
Saxophone
The Alto Saxophone plays in the middle range. Student will use all of the fingers and often play fast passages. It is a little larger and heavier than the clarinet or flute.
Later in Jr./Sr. high school students can also play the larger tenor and baritone sax. The saxophone uses wooden reeds to produce sound. The saxophone is also used in concert and jazz bands. |
Trumpet
The Trumpet is the highest brass voice. It is used most often to play the loud fanfares in the music.The trumpet uses only three fingers and the notes are changed by loosing or tightening the lips.
Students with larger lips may be better suited to Trombone. The trumpet is relatively small and light weight. Later students may switch to the larger baritone or tuba.The Trumpet is used in both concert and jazz bands. |
Trombone
The Trombone plays the bass/beat part of the music.
The trombone plays the lower notes. A slide is used to changes notes and like the trumpet the lips are used to help move between notes. The Trombone forms the backbone of the band and is one of the most important instruments. The Trombone is used often in concert and jazz band. Trombone players can later switch to the larger baritone or tuba. |
Percussion
Percussionists start on a bell kit and drum pad. Students are required to learn both the bells and pad.
The bell/pad kit is a bit larger and heavier than other instruments. Some cases come with wheels but is can still be difficult to transport. Percussionists perform faster and more challenge rhythms. It may look easy but frequent practice will be needed. Later students will have the chance to play xylophone and drum set. |
Investing in an Instrument
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We recommend that parents explore rent-to-own programs. These allow students to try out an instrument with investing in the entire purchase price up front.
Our preferred music provider is Buddy Rogers and they are conveniently located in North College Hill. Students must have a high-quality instrument to be able to succeed. There are many cheap and low quality instruments available in stores and online. It will be nearly impossible for students to play well on a poor quality instrument. This is an investment. Low quality instruments often break and impossible to repair. If the price seems too good to be true it is. Please contact me with any questions. |
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