- Oxford High School
- Beginner Band
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Information for Parents and Beginner Band Students
The Oxford Beginner Band consists of 6th grade students enrolled at Oxford Intermediate School. The beginner band focuses on learning the fundamentals of music and basic instrumental techniques used throughout the band program.The beginner band spends the first couple weeks of school not only learning the fundamentals of music, but trying out instruments as well. Since playing some musical instruments can be difficult for some people due to physical differences, a try-out process is used for each instrument. This also allows the beginner band to have a balanced instrumentation so that it is actually a wind band and not an ensemble of instruments. Each student has the opportunity to try out the five basic band instruments - clarinet, flute, percussion, trumpet, and trombone. After this process is completed, the students will be able to list their first, second, and third choice of which instrument they want to play. The directors will then put each student on an instrument by their listed choices. Most of the time, students are placed on their first choice. However, in order to keep a balanced instrumentation, we sometimes have to go to their second and, occasionally, their third choice.
The parent of each student will need to purchase an instrument for their child to play. After we have had tryouts and the students have decided on which instrument to play, we will have a rental meeting night where parents can come to the school and rent or purchase an instrument for their child. We will also send out information about quality brands of instruments and other places to shop for instruments, but please don't go out and purchase an instrument until we've had an opportunity to test all the students on every instrument.
Near the end of their 6th grade band experience, some students may have the opportunity to try and play other instruments that are similar to what they have been learning about. These "specialty" instruments are baritone, tuba, French horn, and bassoon. This new instrument selection is based on how well the student masters the fundamentals of music, overall grades in previous school work, and attitude and willingness to learn.
The beginner band does not practice as a group outside the normal school day. This allows students to be involved in many activities, including band! The beginner band usually has only a few performances each year. These consist of Band Night, where the beginners get to perform with both the middle and high school students, the Winter concert, and the Spring concert.
If you have any other questions regarding the Oxford Beginner Band, feel free to contact Mr. Bailey at albailey@oxfordsd.org.
Thanks for visiting!