A parent's guide to school band programs  (Page 2/5)

Another possibility is to talk to the various directors at your school and see what can be worked out. A flute player may be able to rehearse with the band during school and the orchestra after school, for example. Or a violin player may be able to rehearse with the orchestra during school and be on the dance team after school. Don't be too insistent until you are certain of your child's serious interest in more than one program. Don't expect special treatment; that's not fair to the other students. Instead, work with the directors to fill their needs to have a complete orchestra or to have everyone available for certain rehearsals. Your first step is to find out what music program choices your child will be offered, at what grade they are offered, and at what point there may be conflicts. Only the various options available to wind and percussion players are discussed here.

Busy schedules laden with possible conflicts are only for the truly dedicated young musician; most students will be happy to pursue the various possiblities open to a single instrument or musical pursuit. In fact, some pursuits lead naturally to more than one opportunity. For example, although wind and percussion players are normally trained in band programs, they are often eventually given the opportunity to play with an orchestra (but be aware that there are many more places for strings than for winds in the typical orchestra, and normally no orchestral seats for saxophones, baritones, or euphoniums). String bass players train with the other strings for orchestra, but are also very welcome in jazz band programs.

Starting late? Missed beginners' band? Changed schools? The competition for spots may be fierce for some of the music programs at your school, but there are usually many opportunies for late starters to join in the fun. Talk to directors about how to get your child started. Most band directors have at least one section that they wish had more players, and will be very happy for the opportunity to add someone to that section. Private Lessons will help your child get caught up quickly. If they are not an option, and the director is too busy for one-on-one instruction time, try to arrange for a mature student in the section to give your child lessons, either formally or informally. (Offering a small payment to the student for "lessons" is very appropriate.)

Types of band programs

There are many types of bands that might be available at your school, but most schools cannot offer every type. As mentioned above, your student will probably only have time for one band during school. This band is usually assigned based on the student's playing ability, scheduling issues, and the programs available. Other band programs may be available as extra-curricular activities, or may even be extra-curricular activities required of band class members. Extra-curricular instrumental groups are often only available to students in the in-school band program, or else students in the in-school program are given priority for spots available. Some may be competititve and only available to students at a certain playing level.