Dear Band Parents and Students,
Welcome to Band! I’m so glad you visited this band webpage to learn more about Lineville band!
Below are answers to the most common questions from parents and students. Please contact me through email if you need more information.
Band class is an incredible experience, and I am looking forward to starting this New Adventure with you!
Musically yours,
Mr. Zipperer
[email protected]
Common Questions & Answers
1. What does it cost?
A. INSTRUMENT: Expenses vary greatly, depending on the source of the band instrument. Here are some possibilities:
2. What instruments are in the 5th grade band?
Each student has six band instruments from which to choose. Next year’s 5th grade band will include flutes, clarinets, trumpets, trombones, baritones, and percussion. In 6th grade band we will expand the instrumentation to include other instruments. Students interested in playing oboe, bassoon, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, or tenor saxophone in their second year should start with either flute or clarinet. The basic skills learned in 5th grade will transfer well to the second instrument. Students interested in playing french horn in 6th grade should begin on trumpet, and students interested in tuba should start out on baritone.
3. When do students get to play and choose an instrument?
Students will learn about and play the instruments during the one day summer school class called “5th gr. BAND INSTRUMENT SELECTION.” Students will have the chance to play flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, baritone, and percussion. Teachers will guide students toward making an instrument choice. During the last half hour parents are invited to attend class to receive information and ask questions . The classes will take place in the Lineville Intermediate School band room. Parents are encouraged to select one of these 4 class sections:
August 19 9:00 am-11:30 am
August 19 12:30 pm-3:00 pm
August 20 9:00 am-11:30 am
August 20 12:30 pm-3:00 pm
Parents will be able to sign up for one of these class sections when summer school registration is open (online registration usually starts in April at https://www.hssdschools.org/community/summer-school). If students are not able to attend any of the sections parents are encouraged to contact Mr. Zipperer about setting up an instrument fitting meeting ([email protected]).
4. When do students actually begin lessons on their chosen instruments?
Band instruction will begin when school starts in September. Students must have their instrument and other supplies by the first day of school! At the end of the August summer school class “5th Grade Band Instrument Selection” I will provide a list of necessary supplies and will suggest where to get them.
5. How is the percussion section chosen?
Typically there are many students who audition to get in the 12-member PERCUSSION section. Typically, students with strong piano lesson backgrounds have the best chance to be selected. Interested students will be auditioned during the August sessions of the summer school class “5th gr. Band Instrument Selection” Students strongly interested in percussion should sign up for a section of this class.
Welcome to Band! I’m so glad you visited this band webpage to learn more about Lineville band!
Below are answers to the most common questions from parents and students. Please contact me through email if you need more information.
Band class is an incredible experience, and I am looking forward to starting this New Adventure with you!
Musically yours,
Mr. Zipperer
[email protected]
Common Questions & Answers
1. What does it cost?
A. INSTRUMENT: Expenses vary greatly, depending on the source of the band instrument. Here are some possibilities:
- Renting or purchasing from a music store: Since buying a new instrument is very expensive ($1000!) most people rent-to-own from a music store. Monthly costs are usually around $30-45. The money all applies to toward purchase if you choose to do so.
- Purchasing a used instrument: There are many used instruments for sale by music stores and private sellers. While music stores are safe sources (they usually guarantee their sales) private sellers can be risky. I recommend that you take an instrument that is being sold privately to a music store or band teacher to be evaluated. Costs of course vary widely, for as little as $250 up to several hundred.
- Using a school-owned instrument: The school district has a very small number of school-owned instruments which can be used during the school year. These instruments include several baritones and a few smaller instruments (flutes, trumpets, clarinets, trombones). School-owned instruments are only available during the school year, and only if they are not being used by another student. The obvious drawback to this instrument source is that you never own the instrument; it has to be turned in at the end of the year. Due to the limited supply, they are first-come-first-served.
- Tradition of Excellence band book ($11)
- Folding Music Stand (about $15)
- Reeds for the Clarinet (about $30 for box of 10, which usually lasts from 6 months to a year)
- Mouthpiece and valve oil for Baritone (about $40)
2. What instruments are in the 5th grade band?
Each student has six band instruments from which to choose. Next year’s 5th grade band will include flutes, clarinets, trumpets, trombones, baritones, and percussion. In 6th grade band we will expand the instrumentation to include other instruments. Students interested in playing oboe, bassoon, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, or tenor saxophone in their second year should start with either flute or clarinet. The basic skills learned in 5th grade will transfer well to the second instrument. Students interested in playing french horn in 6th grade should begin on trumpet, and students interested in tuba should start out on baritone.
3. When do students get to play and choose an instrument?
Students will learn about and play the instruments during the one day summer school class called “5th gr. BAND INSTRUMENT SELECTION.” Students will have the chance to play flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, baritone, and percussion. Teachers will guide students toward making an instrument choice. During the last half hour parents are invited to attend class to receive information and ask questions . The classes will take place in the Lineville Intermediate School band room. Parents are encouraged to select one of these 4 class sections:
August 19 9:00 am-11:30 am
August 19 12:30 pm-3:00 pm
August 20 9:00 am-11:30 am
August 20 12:30 pm-3:00 pm
Parents will be able to sign up for one of these class sections when summer school registration is open (online registration usually starts in April at https://www.hssdschools.org/community/summer-school). If students are not able to attend any of the sections parents are encouraged to contact Mr. Zipperer about setting up an instrument fitting meeting ([email protected]).
4. When do students actually begin lessons on their chosen instruments?
Band instruction will begin when school starts in September. Students must have their instrument and other supplies by the first day of school! At the end of the August summer school class “5th Grade Band Instrument Selection” I will provide a list of necessary supplies and will suggest where to get them.
5. How is the percussion section chosen?
Typically there are many students who audition to get in the 12-member PERCUSSION section. Typically, students with strong piano lesson backgrounds have the best chance to be selected. Interested students will be auditioned during the August sessions of the summer school class “5th gr. Band Instrument Selection” Students strongly interested in percussion should sign up for a section of this class.