Scheduling

To join band, select band on the Hopewell Junior School class registration form when you register your child for 7th grade classes. In addition, please complete the instrument selection form included on the last page of this packet.

Band is a full year course. A positive attitude and a commitment to the entire year of band are necessary.  Students need to practice being the best musicians possible. Attendance with instrument and music is required at all band classes to succeed.  Since band is a performance-based class, our concerts are the outgrowth of our class studies and are required of all students.  Being a successful musician is the result of steady practice and a willingness to always do your best.

Daily class participation, playing/written tests, practice records and concerts make up instrumental evaluations for each band student.  A grade is given once at the end of each quarter. Band grades count as part of the academic honor roll at Hopewell Junior.

Each student will have band class daily for one period during the school day. Students will be divided among three or four band classes. All classes will have woodwinds, brass and percussion instruments. For our concerts, all classes will combine into one band. We will have approximately three evening concerts throughout the school year. Additionally, there are other music enrichment opportunities such as OMEA (Ohio Music Educators’ Association) District 13 Honor Band and OMEA Solo and Ensemble Contest.

Seventh grade jazz band will be an option for some band students second semester.  Students are selected by audition and must be a member of seventh grade band.  Auditions for seventh grade jazz band will be held in December. Seventh grade jazz band will meet after school, second semester, January 2022. Jazz band rehearses on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:10-2:55. Since jazz band meets after the school day, there is a district club card fee of $50.00.
 

For our band concerts, we will wear our Hopewell Junior H-Pride shirt and black pants. Each student will have an H-Pride shirt once school begins.  

Band Instrument Rental

If you do not own an instrument, you will need to rent one from a reputable music store.  Music stores rent flutes, clarinets, saxophones, trumpets, trombones and percussion bell kits. Information and prices from local music stores are available tonight.  Buddy Rogers, Hauer, Wert and Willis Music stores all service Hopewell Junior School.

School-Owned Instrument Maintenance Fee

Hopewell Junior does not rent instruments.  However, we own instruments that music stores do not have available to rent or are difficult to rent due to the expensive cost of the instrument.  We need students to play these instruments for our band to sound balanced and complete. These instruments are purchased with some of the profits from our yearly music department candy sale.

The school instruments we own for student use are oboe, bassoon, bass clarinet, French horn, baritone horn, tuba, and percussion instruments like timpani, chimes, marimba, xylophone, and bass drum.

A maintenance fee of $75.00 per year is assessed to those students who play woodwind and brass school owned instruments. A maintenance fee of $35.00 is assessed to all students who play percussion instruments. The fee covers normal instrument usage repairs as students use the Hopewell Junior percussion and auxiliary percussion equipment, repairs and maintenance on all percussion instruments, and the purchase of mallets, drum and timpani heads. 

Method Book

Tradition of Excellence, Book I by Bruce Pearson and Ryan Nowlin. The book will be available at the music stores listed in this packet. 

Additional Supplies

Clarinet and Saxophones should always have at least 2 good reeds.  Start with a 2 1/2 strength reed.  All woodwinds also need to have a swab for cleaning their instrument. Saxophones need a neck strap.  Brass players should have valve oil, slide oil or slide cream as needed for their instrument.  Percussionists need two matching drumsticks (sizes 2B or 5A).  It is also best if all students have an inexpensive fold-up music stand at home for their practice sessions. All these additional supplies are available at local music stores. If you rent an instrument from the music store, many (but not all) of the items will be included with the instrument. 
 

The beginning band instruments are flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone horn, and percussion (snare drum and bells, as we do not teach drum set).  

It is extremely important that we achieve a proper balance of instrumentation, so please have a minimum of two choices of instruments in mind. We need a lot of clarinets, trumpets, trombones and baritones.  Often too many students sign up for saxophone and percussion.  We may need to limit the number of students beginning on these instruments.  Remember that all instruments provide the opportunity for musical experience, growth and fun!

If your child is interested in playing oboe, bassoon, French horn or tuba we suggest starting on a similar instrument such as clarinet, trumpet, trombone or baritone, then switching instruments later in the school year. These instruments are more difficult to play and private lessons are strongly encouraged. A solid start on a less complex instrument makes a good foundation for the switch.  Another option would be to begin private lessons on one of these instruments this summer to get a head start on learning to play.

Please check out this excellent website for demonstrations on these instruments below to help you decide what you would like to play.
 

Students must practice at home to reinforce and develop the skills they learn in class. This is band homework. A new assignment is given every class. For best results set a practice time of 20-30 minutes each day in an area away from distractions with a good chair, lighting, and a music stand.

Parents: please remember that you are part of your child’s success in music through your encouragement and monitoring of their practice time. 
 

If you do not already own a band instrument, renting is a great way to start.  Many music stores provide very good instruments to rent at competitive prices.  If you already have an instrument, please have it checked out by a band director or a professional repair person.  If the instrument is playing properly, this will ensure a good start to band.  Please see the information below for some helpful questions when looking to rent an instrument.

Before purchasing an instrument, consult your band director. 
You and your child need to be aware of the different brands of instruments and what they will need to excel in high school.  We highly recommend purchasing an instrument from a reputable music store, such as Buddy Rogers, Hauer or Moeller Music Stores. Please be cautious of instruments on the internet or in department stores. Many times, they are of poor quality.  If the price sounds "too good to be true", it usually is! Please call before you make a purchase or if you have any questions.
 

A quality instrument will help your child be successful in band class.  The following is a list of instrument manufacturers whose student line instruments are of good quality for the beginning player. 

Flutes
Armstrong, Emerson, Gemeinhardt, Yamaha

Clarinets
Buffet (student model), Vito, Yamaha
Mouthpiece - Hite Premier
Yamaha-4C

Saxophones
Selmer, Yamaha, Jupiter
Mouthpiece - Hite Premier, Yamaha

Trumpets
Bach, Yamaha
Mouthpiece - 7C

Trombones
Bach, Conn, Yamaha
Mouthpiece - 12C
Percussion Kit
Ludwig, Pearl
Sticks - 2A or 5B.
 

A reputable music dealer should be willing and able to answer all the following questions to your satisfaction.  For your protection and your child’s success in band, you should insist on definite and clear-cut answers to each.

• How many months may I rent the instrument?
• What is the monthly rent?
• How much of the rent is applied to the purchase?
• How many months’ rent can be credited to the purchase?
• Is insurance included in the monthly rental?
• What is covered by the insurance?  What are my liabilities?
• Is the rental instrument new, reconditioned, or a rental return? 
• What condition is it in?  Is it ready to play? What accessories are provided? 
•  (See Supplies above)     
• Will the instrument be ready for the first day of band?
• What kind of a guarantee does the instrument have?
• If the band directors feel that my child would be better suited to another instrument, can we “trade” instruments?  If so, how much rental credit do I have?
• Do you have representatives that make regular visits to each school to provide service?
• Do your store’s salespersons have music education background, and can they give knowledgeable assistance?
   

The following music stores have reputable rental programs and service Hopewell Junior School on a weekly basis:

• Buddy Rogers Music:  1-800-536-2263, order online buddyrogers.com
• Hauer Music Store:  937-222-2815, 1-800-544-2837
• Wert Music 1-859-727-1138 or order online www.wertmusic.com
• Willis Music:  777-7474 Tylersville and Cox Roads

Concert Band and sports do not conflict. Even in the upper grades, remember that concert bands meet during the school day. Outside of the occasional conflict of a game and a concert on the same night, this is usually not a problem. In fact, sports and music compliment each other in many ways, including the development of responsibility, self-discipline, commitment, self-confidence, self-esteem, leadership skills and the importance of practice to achieve success.
 

The Band director will provide all necessary instruction for beginning band.  However, private lessons are a great way to make the most of your abilities, to review and solidify the basics, or for getting you over any rough places. You can benefit from private lessons at any level, whether beginner or professional.
 

Many band students have braces.  It seems that more band students have braces than do not have braces. In general, braces do not impact students playing their instrument long term.  If your child already has braces, there should be very little to no adjustment to playing their instrument. Upon getting braces, the student should not play their instrument for the first few days.  Generally, when they are eating solid food again, it will be comfortable to play their instrument. 
 

• 7th grade Chorus
• Vocal  Chamber  Ensemble 

• 7th grade Chorus-No, you simply sign up!
• Vocal Chamber Ensemble-Yes, information on this will come to you in a few weeks 
   

• Yes!
• There is no requirement to be in 7th grade Chorus to be in Vocal Chamber Ensemble. Vocal Chamber Ensemble does not rehearse after school.
   

• Yes!
• Most Vocal Music students participate in sports and other after-school activities.

• No! All choral music used is supplied by the Vocal Music Dept.
• They only financial requirement will be about $15 for a uniform shirt for 7th grade Chorus. (BOTH Band Chorus purchase/wear these shirts!) Vocal Chamber Ensemble uniforms are provided by the Vocal Music Dept.
   

• Athletes, Cheerleaders, National Jr. Honor Society members, Academic Honor Roll awardees, Student Government members... everybody!
• Kids who like and want to learn about all kinds of music!
   

• Sing! Grading is based on class rehearsal, concert performances, and a few written exercises. Very little outside class work is required.
• Participate in award-winning ensembles
• Learn to read music and have fun!
• Get to meet other nice kids with all kinds of interests and backgrounds!