Frequently Asked Questions
The FAQs have been divided into the following categories:
How does my student get an instrument?
Check out the Instruments page for a detailed explanation.
How does my student get band supplies?
Frankfort-Schuyler works with John Keal Music out of Albany. JKM rents instruments (and repairs rental instruments), and also provides all students access to the Trip Saver. The Trip Saver is an order form that allows students to order any supplies they might need for band. Students check off which items they need, bring the order form back to school with the payment for the items they're purchasing, and hand everything in to Miss Bunger. The JKM representative will pick up the order forms during his Friday visit, and typically the supplies are delivered during his trip the following week.
What does my student need for band?
All students will need an instrument, a pencil, and a lesson book (Accent On Achievement, Book 1 for their specific instrument. Percussionists should get the Combined Percussion book) to be considered prepared, though fifth grade students will also be required to keep track of the music they receive during full band rehearsals. All of the instrument-specific materials are available on the Trip Saver:
Clarinets and Saxophones: A box of reeds (2 1/2 strength). Cork grease is also recommended.
Trumpets and Baritones: Valve oil and tuning slide grease. Valve oil is for the valves only and tuning slide slide grease is only for the tuning slide.
Trombones: Slide oil or slide spray (for the slide only), and tuning slide grease. Valve oil may be used instead of slide oil as they are chemically similar.
Percussion: Drumsticks (VicFirth SD1s or similar) and a practice pad (at least 8").
The following are great ideas for holiday/birthday gifts:
- a folding music stand (encourages good posture while sitting or standing)
- a Care Kit (includes cleaning tools specific to each instrument)
Instrumental Music Expectations
What is the time commitment for band students?
Band is divided into two components that are equally important: Lessons and Band Rehearsal (mostly for 5th and 6th graders, though 4th graders will experience band rehearsals before their Spring Concert).
All students have one weekly, small-group lesson for 30 minutes (or, in 6th grade, one class period). In 4th and 5th grades, lessons will always be on the same weekday but the times will rotate so that students don't consistently miss the same block. Students will miss the same block roughly once every six weeks. Students will not be expected to attend lessons if they are taking a test, though they are expected to communicate this with me ahead of time. In 6th grade, students will also have a lesson that rotates periods, but might alternate also between Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Fifth grade students also have band as a combined class. This meets on Mondays and Tuesdays from 8:20am-9:00am. Band Rehearsal is built into the school day so students will NOT be missing any classwork in order to attend band rehearsal. All students enrolled in lessons are expected to attend band.
Fourth grade students will also have band rehearsal in the mornings, but this will start closer to the Spring Concert.
Sixth grade students have Band Rehearsal on Days 2 and 4, 9th period in room 135 (the MS/HS band room which is shared with Mrs. Donaleski)
How often are students expected to practice outside of school?
Fifteen minutes/day, 5 days/week is the recommended amount of time. Short, focused, and frequent practice sessions are more helpful than longer, less focused/frequent sessions.
How can I help my student practice?
Good news! You don't have to be a musician to help your student practice and succeed in learning an instrument!
- Help them be aware of their posture. Whether your student sits or stands when they practice, make sure they're not slouching.
- Help them keep a schedule. A few minutes warming up, a few minutes on the lesson, and a few minutes experimenting on the instrument is all a practice session really needs to contain, especially if the warm-up and lesson work are done carefully. If your student sounds like they're spending too much time on the lesson assignment (especially if they're getting frustrated) without warming up first, ask about the warm-up and why it's important. Your student knows the answer!
- Ask them to play for (or with!) you. A scale, a rudiment, a lesson assignment, band music, something they made up - anything! Being comfortable playing in front of an audience takes practice, so if there's a chance to help them acclimate then go for it! If you happen to be a musician, feel free to play along with your student - the lesson book has plenty of duets!