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Krum Middle School Beginner Band FAQ’s

HERE ARE THE ANSWERS TO THE MOST ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT BEGINNER BAND.

Should I rent or purchase an instrument?

RENT! Renting an instrument will give your child the opportunity to begin in band with only a small initial investment. Your child can have the advantages of a brand new instrument, such as pride of ownership, freedom from error due to poor equipment, and the opportunity to be the best player they can be by having the best available instrument for their age level. Your child will have the instrument and mouthpiece recommended by the band directors. The instrument can be returned to the company at any time without further obligation. All rent applies towards purchase.

What about buying used instruments?

Some used instruments are good bargains. However, you could end up spending more money on repairs than the instrument is worth. For this reason, we ask that if you do purchase a used instrument, let a Krum Band Director examine it before purchase. Local music stores and former band students are excellent sources of used instruments. You might see if the music companies have used instruments available. We have found most pawn shop instruments to be of dubious quality. WARNING: The “band instruments” listed online (Amazon, Walmart, Facebook Marketplace, etc.), in our opinion, are JUNK! They are practically toys. The Krum Band program will not allow any Sam’s Club or Walmart instruments. Again, we recommend that you RENT an instrument the first year from Brook Mays.

Are there any school-owned instruments available?

Yes. The school provides the more expensive instruments: Tuba, Euphonium, French Horn, Oboe, and Bassoon. These are assigned based on aptitude, suitability, and availability - NOT financial need. Parents whose child is selected to play one of these school-owned instruments will still be required to purchase necessary accessories such as a mouthpiece, books, reeds/valve oil, etc. Due to the unique nature and difficulty of the Oboe, Bassoon, and French Horn instruments, it is strongly suggested that they take weekly private lessons. These instruments are so challenging that if you don’t take lessons, you should not even elect to play them. Private lessons for all instruments are strongly encouraged.

Are certain instruments for girls and others for boys?

NO. Instrument choices are not based on a student’s gender, but rather on their desire to play that instrument. Instrument selection is based primarily upon the facial characteristics of the student and, most importantly, their personal choice.

When do students need instruments?

Instruments will be needed on the first day of school. Don’t wait too long! Most music companies run out of stock in July AND raise their prices to take advantage of late renters/buyers! Rent your instruments from Brook Mays.

When does the band class meet? What instruments are started?

Beginning band meets daily for 45 minutes at different times throughout the school day for the entire school year. Students are grouped into classes according to what instrument they play. The teacher-student ratio is kept low to facilitate individual supervision of students’ progress. Skills develop slowly at first; therefore, students and parents must be patient and committed for the entire school year to receive the full benefit of band instruction. Beginners are started on Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium (baritone), Tuba, and Percussion. We will help you choose the instrument that is best for you at our instrument screening.

Is any previous musical training necessary?

No. The method books used in beginner band are for the musically untrained student. We teach the fundamentals of reading music as well as the fundamentals of playing an instrument. As students progress, parents will be able to recognize familiar tunes. Their progress culminates in a Spring Concert at the end of the year.

Will my child be successful on an instrument if they have a learning challenge like Dyslexia? Asthma?

Students with dyslexia may struggle to read music. However, that can be overcome with practice, and the directors have many tips and tricks to help students learn to read music. Students with asthma should all be in band! Learning to play a wind instrument will help improve lung efficiency and reduce asthma symptoms.

Can my child start playing as soon as he/she get an instrument?

To prevent costly repairs and the formation of bad habits, we prefer that the instrument stay in the case until students have been taught how to properly take care of it by a band director. Instruments will stay in the band hall during the first part of the school year. After formal instruction is given on the care and assembly of the instrument during the first week of school, your child will begin taking the instrument home. This is to protect your investment! If you rent/purchase from Brook Mays, the store will deliver the instrument and materials to our band hall before the first day of school.

Can my child participate in both athletics and band at the same time? Band and choir?

Yes! Athletics is not offered in the 6th grade. Many middle school students are in band, athletics, choir, and other organizations. Because of the unique nature of playing a musical instrument, we try to encourage students to begin band in 6th grade and then take other electives along with band in their 7th & 8th-grade years. If you want your child to learn a band instrument, you will need to put band as your FIRST CHOICE for an elective. Students choosing band as their elective SECOND choice are NOT guaranteed to be placed into band. In 7th grade & 8th grade, the school administration, coaches, classroom teachers, and band directors work together to try to avoid conflicts in scheduling. We have current Krum MS Band members who are also in 7th & 8th grade football, volleyball, basketball, cheerleading, choir, and more!

Are there any extra rehearsals required? Concerts?

Beginners are required to attend only three (3) concert performances in their first year: One mini-concert in October to demonstrate progress, a December Winter Concert, and our April Spring Concert. We will also attend a Music Festival in April/May during school, and the students will learn a solo in May.

Will my child be required to practice at home?

Yes. Starting quickly after the first few weeks, students are required as a part of their grade to practice 10-15 minutes every day outside of class. This weekly time (not daily) increases over the first semester as their facial muscles develop and strengthen, and they can practice up to 20-30 minutes, several days per week (not every day). They record their time on a “Practice Log,” which is checked and graded weekly. Parents are encouraged to give positive support to the student as he/she progresses. The band hall will also be open before and after school for students to practice.

Are private lessons available? Are they required?

Private lessons are strongly encouraged for all students, but are not required. If your child takes private lessons, he/she will receive one-on-one instruction from a professional musician (many of whom have graduate degrees). Lessons are held once a week at Krum Middle School, either during their band class or before or after school, for $18 per half hour. Private lessons help challenge faster-paced students and strengthen slower-paced students. Above-average results are almost guaranteed!