Frequently Asked Questions

Band is offered to all students in the 6th grade. The only requirement is that the students obtain a band instrument and accessories. Students interested in joining band simply need to circle band on their 6th grade choice sheets.

The greatest benefits of learning to play an instrument are the life skills which a player develops through being a member of a quality organization. These benefits include self discipline, self confidence, commitment, persistence, pride, social development, cooperation and team work, surviving the pressures of performance, healthy competition, coping with success and failure, a strong work ethic, and an appreciation of the arts. These are important qualities of adulthood.

No previous special training is necessary, but any musical background will be helpful. Beginning band is taught in small classes to provide individual attention so that each student may achieve their maximum performing potential as quickly as possible. In addition, supplemental private lessons are available to students who desire them.

Supplemental lessons are available through the band program to all band students. Individual instruction is extremely beneficial due to the one-on-one teaching environment. The supplemental teacher is able to design a program that meets each individual's needs and each student is able to progress at his/her own rate of ability. Professional teachers on each instrument will be available to teach these lessons during band class or before & after school. Lessons will be scheduled at your convenience on a first come basis. Students will be taught once a week during the school day.

Band is an academic elective that is taught during school hours. As with most school subjects, students must do some study at home for proper improvement. Generally, 20 -40 minutes of daily practice are necessary for successful results. A portion of their band grade is determined by daily practice time.

In the beginning band, we only have 2 or 3 morning rehearsals before each of our concert performances. These include a Winter & Spring Concert as well as the Sandy Lake Band Contest. As the student advances in years, he/she will become a member of a full performing organization which presents concerts, competes at the Plano Festival Contests, and participates in other events such as football games, out-of-town competitions, school pep rallies, etc.

The self-discipline and motivation acquired by learning to play an instrument have proven to be tremendous aids in maintaining good academic records. Academic standards are required for all students to participate in band contests. Many band students attain membership in the National Junior Honor Society at Frankford Middle and the National Honor Society at Shepton High School. Band members comprise a large percentage of the West Senior High School Honor Graduates each year and many college academic and music scholarships are awarded to band students.

Yes! Even throughout high school, band students participate in all areas of school activities. They are involved in every type of sport and have been cheerleaders, staff members of newspapers and yearbooks, in drama and choir productions, members of the math and science club, elected to the Student Council, etc. The most important consideration is that the student is interested in and makes time for each additional activity. The administration, directors, coaches and staff will make every effort to accommodate students who wish to participate in other activities.

The largest expense is the cost of an instrument. Instruments may be rented for a monthly charge or purchased through several music companies in our area. Depending on the instrument and the brand selected, rental prices range from $25.00 to $60.00 per month. Most companies offer a rental purchase plan with the rental payments applying toward the purchase price of the instrument. This helps ensure that the student is well suited for a particular instrument before a larger investment is made. The local music stores have a list of recommended instruments and accessories that we have chosen through careful evaluation and feel is the best combination of quality and price. Always rent your instrument from a music store that has a qualified repair shop.

Many fine instruments are available from former band students, local music stores and the internet. Please do not buy a used instrument until you have had it evaluated by your band director! There is a wide variation in the value and quality of all musical instruments and it is to your advantage to get your money's worth. We have found that an old instrument sometimes will deter the student's progress. In other words, do not buy a used instrument that is not in top playing condition. Musical instruments do require maintenance, and some used instruments will cost more to repair than a new one.

Williamson and Holze Music Companies have a list of the recommended instruments for Frankford Middle School. Instruments range in price from $25.00 to $60.00 a month. If a school owned instrument is selected, it will be provided by the school district for a $50 per semester maintenance fee.

Most instruments must be provided by the parents. In order to balance the instrumentation of the band some of the more expensive instruments including Tubas, Euphoniums, French Horns, Oboes, Bassoons, etc. These instruments are normally assigned to students who have ideal physical characteristics for that instrument. The fee for school instrument use is $50.00 per semester.

Please make arrangements to have the instrument on the first day of school. In order to start on an equal basis, this is very important. In the best interest of your child, all instruments must pass inspection by your child's band teacher at this time.

We will meet with each interested student and their parents at Frankford Middle School (more information will be mailed home as soon as choice sheets are received by your school's office). Each student who has selected band as his/her elective choice will have an opportunity to make a sound on the various mouthpieces to determine which instrument is the most suitable for them. Every consideration will be made for the student to play the instrument of their choice. Various factors such as lips, teeth, facial bone structure, pitch recognition, rhythm, etc. make a difference in the most desirable choice. Certain characteristics are more important for particular instruments. Examples of this include: Percussion students need an excellent sense of rhythm and coordination, French Horn and Trombone students need a keen sense of pitch recognition, etc. Instrumentation of the band is important, so limiting some instruments is necessary.