The Lake Washington School District provides group instrumental music instruction for all 5^th and 6^th graders.  The goals of this program are to introduce the student to performing music on an instrument, working within a group of other musicians, and help them progress to performing groups at the Junior and Senior High level.  The Redmond Region instrumental music program has been very successful for several years, and we hope you and your child will choose to take part in this exciting and beneficial program. 

NOTICE: Parents, if your child is sick on the day of band, please call Mr. Furness’ voicemail at 425-703-3356, ext. 8871-119, or send an e-mail to DFurness@lwsd.org.  This is for our Safe Arrival records.  When there are schedule changes due to inclement weather, please watch local media or the district website for schedule announcements.  In the event of late starts, elementary band classes will not meet.

You can also link to Mr. Furness’ website at Redmond Junior High at http://schools.lwsd.org/rjh/.  This has general information such as concert dates.  Go to Faculty, then click on portals and click on Mr. Furness’ class.

Rehearsal Schedule:

Monday: 2nd Year Advanced Band
Tuesday: 1st year—flutes and trumpets
Wednesday: 2nd Year Advanced Band
Thursday: All First Year Band Students
Friday: 1st year—clarinet, saxophone, trombone, baritone.

 

Where, when and how?

When do the band classes meet?

All band classes meet from 7:40—8:25 AM. Students should be at school by 7:35 to be ready for class.  There are two rehearsals per week.  First Year Band kids will meet every Tuesday or Friday in their sections and all first year students will meet on Thursday.

Who are the instructors for the classes?

Mr. Furness, the Band director at Redmond Jr. High, and Ms Anderer, music teacher at Redmond Elementary School, are your band teachers.  Both team teach the second year band class.

Where do the band classes meet?

The elementary band classes meet in the music rooms at Redmond Jr. High School. 

How does my student get to band and to their elementary school?

Students have three options to get to Redmond Jr.  1) If they are within walking distance, they may do that; 2) if a Jr. high bus serves their neighborhood, they may take that to school; 3) many band student families form carpools to get them to the Jr. High.

At the end of band classes, all students are bussed back to their elementary school.

How much class time will they miss?

Students should get to their school fairly close to the start of the school day and should miss none or very minimal instructional time in their class.  Teachers are supportive of the band program.

What if my child misses a rehearsal?

Attendance will be taken at each rehearsal and absences will be reported to the student's school immediately following rehearsal.  Since we only meet two times per week, it is important for your child to be on time to every rehearsal.  If the student will be missing band, please send an e-mail to Mr. Furness (DFurness@lwsd.org) or call his voicemail at 702-3356, ext. 8871-119 to let us know.   This is important for Safe Arrival information. Also, band does meet on half days but we do not meet if school is delayed or canceled due to weather concerns.

Are there concerts?

Yes, we usually have two or three performances each year, one before the holiday break, and another at the end of the year in May.  The second year band plays at the Redmond Region Concert in March.  Concert dates are:  Nov. 13, Mar. 26 (2^nd yr. students only), and our Spring Concert is scheduled for May 14.

Will band interfere with other activities?

Band is a fantastic opportunity for you and your family.  We know how busy students and families are and we are always proud to have accomplished athletes, dancers, actors, hobbyists, and other interesting people sign up for band.  We try to schedule our rehearsals and concerts as sensitively as possible so students can still pursue their homework and outside interests.  Band is yet another way to become a well-rounded person.

What do we get to play?

What instruments are available to study?

Although there are many instruments in the Redmond bands, some are not suitable for beginners. Several of these are intended to be switched TO after one or two years on a similar instrument.  Beginners may choose from the following band instruments (brass, and especially LOW brass are suggested for those who are undecided.  All band directors LOVE to have more low brass players).

Flute (woodwind)         Trumpet (High Brass)

Clarinet (woodwind)                  Trombone (Low Brass)

Alto Saxophone (woodwind)       Baritone B.C.  (Low Brass) 

Students who eventually wish to play percussion must start on one of the above instruments.  This allows us to better meet the needs of each individual instrument grouping and student, along with allowing us to better teach critical note-reading skills to all students.  We will audition interested students from these sections for percussion later in the year.  This also allows us to maintain proper balance between sections in the band.               

Can my child start on saxophone?

We are concerned about maintaining a proper balance of instruments in the band, and we may need to limit the number of saxophones for that balance.  If your child is interested in playing the sax, we would like you to consider a possible alternative choice.  Please indicate both saxophone and your alternate choice on the form.   If you choose saxophone, do not obtain an instrument until we have contacted you.   If you have not heard from us by Sept. 11, please call or e-mail Mr. Furness at RJH.  If your chosen instrument is one other than sax, you can look into getting one right away.

What equipment does my child need?

Each student will need an instrument, the required accessories, a book, and a pencil.  Please have a folder in which to put the book, sheet music, and any informational letters.

The accessories include:

·          Flute:  cleaning rod and a handkerchief or soft cloth for cleaning

·          Clarinet:  cork grease, a drop through style cleaning cloth, and a minimum of five #2 clarinet reeds.

·          Saxophone: cork grease, a drop through style cleaning cloth, and a minimum of five #2 alto saxophone reeds.

·          Trumpet:  valve oil, and a soft cleaning cloth.

·          Trombone:  slide oil and a soft cleaning cloth

·          Baritone B.C.:  valve oil, and a soft cleaning cloth.

What book should we buy?

The band students will be reading music from a book called Essential Elements 2000, book 1.  Please make sure that you purchase the book designated for your student’s instrument.  These books are available at all the local music retail stores for around $6.00.  We will be writing in them so it's important that they have their own. If the stores run out, don't panic.  Your child can share for a while.  We use the same book all year, so there are no other books to purchase

Where do we get an instrument?

Most students rent band instruments from a local music store, such as Mills Music, Kennelly Keys, or Pacific Music.  The school has a few trombones and baritones that may be rented by paying a $50 maintenance fee. If you already own an instrument in the family for your child to play, please have it checked out by a repair technician or one of the band directors to make sure it is playable.  Please use a nametag on ALL cases.  For a quality instrument, we recommend buying or renting at an established music store.

 How expensive is it to be in band?

There are no charges for band other than renting an instrument, purchasing a few accessories, and obtaining the book we use in class.  Here’s an estimated breakdown of costs for a beginning band student:

·          Instrument rental – approximately $15.00-$20.00 per month Instrument accessories - $10-$20 per year

·          Book – $6 per book

We do not want cost to be a factor in whether or not you join band.  If your family has financial concerns, please contact one of the directors. 

Storage of  student instruments

Students will take their instruments with them back to their elementary school classroom, and then bring them home to practice.  Regular practice will help each student experience success on a regular basis.

How do we get started?

The students will be seeing a demonstration of all of the instruments, hopefully within the first week of school, and should decide along with their parents what they would like to play.  Please fill out and detach the registration form on this flyer, and return it to your classroom teacher.   Band will start on Tuesday, September 16^th or Friday, September 19^th, depending upon the instrument selected.

 Schedule for week 1:

Tuesday Sept 16^th = Flutes, Trumpets in sectionals

Thursday Sept 18^th = Flutes, Trumpets in sectionals

Friday Sept 19^th = Clarinets, Saxophones,     Trombones, Baritones in sectionals 

Schedule for week 2 and beyond:

Tuesdays = Flute, Trumpets in sectionals

Thursdays = Full band rehearsal

Fridays = Clarinets, Saxophones, Trombones and Baritones in sectionals

My child is in 6^th grade this year and didn’t join last year.  Can he/she still start band?

Yes, we accept 6^th graders as beginners and encourage them to sign up.   With the right work ethic and attitude, they can be quite successful in band and have a great time with their friends.  They will play for the first half of the year with the Beginning Band and then transfer to the 6^th grade band approximately half way through the year.  The success of this is mostly dependent upon their willingness to work twice as effectively to catch up.  Private lessons, of course, are very helpful.

I don't have my instrument or book yet.  Should I still START band?

YES!  We can wait for your instrument or book to show up but there's information you need from the very first rehearsal.  Please show up even if you're empty-handed.

Please feel free to call or email us if you have any questions.

Mr. Furness at Redmond Jr: 702-3356  x8871-119

Ms. Anderer at Redmond Elementary:  702-3419  x648