I just started a band program at my school this school year. These were the questions that parents and administrators had for me, so I thought I would put them here and possibly help other teachers on the same boat. If you have other good questions to add, please write them in the comments below!
Note: the italics represent my answer for that particular question. Your answers may be totally different, and that is okay!
Please enjoy,
-Bernadette
- Which grade level will participate in band?
- Why?
- Note: students start band in grade 5 in my school. I set it up that way because I liked the students' ages and their maturity level. Students in grade 4 were coordinated and understood a higher level of English.
- Which instruments do I want in my program?
- Note: the instruments available in my program are Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Cornet, Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium, and Tuba.
- Who will buy the instruments? The school? The student?
- Note: If students will borrow a school instrument, do not let them take the instrument home until after they have signed and completed a contract in which they assume liability for the instrument. Need a copy? Here's mine: Instrument Checkout Contract
- How many instruments do I need?
- Note: I needed a class set because band is compulsory in my school.
- Where will instruments be stored?
- Note: we keep the instruments on the back room's shelves that gets A/C. Okinawa is very humid and instruments would get damaged without A/C.
- How will instruments get repaired?
- Note: we have partnered with a local music store. We have agreed to send our students to them to buy supplies if they service our instruments at a discounted rate.
- What curriculum will I use?
- Note: We use Accent On Achievement and we write our own arrangements for performances.
- How much will curriculum cost?
- Will students buy their own or will the school supply this?
- Note: our curriculum costs 900JPY or about $8. In my school students do not need to buy the book, but may if they want to.
- Will the students perform in front of a live audience?
- If so, when and where?
- Note: For planning a concert, click here: Checklist for Planning a Concert
- How will this program affect the current curriculum in place?
- Note: our students do band for half a year and the Japanese-mandated content the other half of the year.
- How much will participation in band cost students and their families?
- If a family is concerned about cost, recommend instruments that require low maintenance.
- Note: A saxophone can be a pricey instrument over time because of the cost of reeds. Brass instruments are usually more affordable (students only need buy their own valve oil and cleaning kit).
- What is the long-term plan for the band program?
- Note: students at our school will play band from grade 5 until grade 9
- Will students continue to play the instrument in other schools throughout their educational journey?
- Note: this is optional for our students, depending on which school they attend after grade 9.
- Who are your feeder schools and which schools do you feed into?
- Note: network with teachers in these schools. Exchange e-mails and ask them to tell you about their program.
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