Band

welcome to band

Dear Band Members and Parents/Guardians of Band Members,

Welcome to the Bel Aire Band's 22nd year!  I am delighted that you have taken advantage of this opportunity to learn how to play a band instrument. Band sections will rehearse from 7:30-8:00 a.m according to the following schedule:

Monday - Percussion

Tuesday - Flute

Wednesday - Clarinet and Saxophone

Friday - Trumpet and Trombone

Goals:

While the ultimate goal of the band program at Bel Aire School is to provide a meaningful musical experience through playing and performing in an ensemble, it may be some time before this is feasible. We will, however, be using a music software program called SmartMusic which simulates the experience and sound of playing in a live band, and which also gives the students immediate feedback on the accuracy of their playing.

Some of the areas that will be focused on include tone production and quality, fingering and tonguing techniques, reading and understanding rhythm patterns, note and score reading.

Practicing:

Regular practice is essential for improvement on a band instrument.  There are, unfortunately, no shortcuts when it comes to learning an instrument.  It is my suggestion that students put in at least two 20-minute practice sessions (in addition to their scheduled band sectional) per week. Students should start with a short warm-up, similar to the warm-ups we do in band class, and then proceed to repertoire that we’re working on in class. I highly recommend getting a music stand for placing sheet music.

Instrument rental/purchase:

Most students rent their instruments from “The Magic Flute”, located in the Northgate One shopping mall (near Safeway). “Best Music” in Oakland is a second option. Students who need assistance with procuring instruments may contact Mr. Gist through the school office. Percussion students should plan on getting ahold of a practice pad, and I recommend procuring a snare drum if possible.

Method Book:

The band method book we will be using is entitled “Standard of Excellence Comprehensive Band Method”, by Bruce Pearson.  Students have a choice of either buying their own books, which they may keep, or borrowing schoolbooks, which they must return at the conclusion of the school year.  The book is available at “The Magic Flute”.

Clarinet video tutorials:

• Assembly

• Putting On Your Reed and Ligature

• Hand Position and Posture

• Creating an Embouchure and First Note

Saxophone video tutorials:

• Assembling

• Posture, Horn Position, and Hand Position

• Creating an Embouchure

• Playing Your First Notes

Trumpet video tutorials:

• Trumpet Embouchure

• Trumpet First Note

• Trumpet Posture & Position

• Trumpet Hand Position

Trombone video tutorials:

• Hand Position

• Embouchure and First Note

• Trombone assembly video

• Trombone slide cleaning

• Trombone playing position

Flute video tutorials:

• Putting your flute together

• Creating a flute embouchure

• Flute posture and hand position

• Your first notes on the flute

• Flute sound production

• Flute cleaning and maintenance

Concert Music and Recordings - Spring 2024  (click on your instrument name to access the sheet music)

When the Band Goes Marching In, by Michael Story

Flute

Clarinet

Saxophone

Trumpet

Trombone

Percussion 1

Percussion 2

Fanfare and March, by Michael Sweeney

Flute

Clarinet

Saxophone

Trumpet

Trombone

Percussion 1

Percussion 2

Bells

Acropolis, by Matthew R. Putnam

Flute

Clarinet

Saxophone

Trumpet

Trombone

Percussion 1

Percussion 2

When the Band Goes Marching In

Fanfare and March