Vivace!

Do I have to know how to play an instrument to join?
Not at all! Most students who join 6th grade band have never played an instrument before and have little musical experience. It's perfectly okay to have prior experience as well!          

Do I receive a grade in band?
Yes. At Queen of Angels it is an Elective/Specials course that uses the following grading scale: Satisfactory (S), Needs Improvement (NI) and Unsatisfactory (U).

How often do we perform?
The 6th grade band performs twice every school year. Our first concert is the Christmas Nativity Program the last day of school before Christmas break and a spring concert in May. After the first year of 6th grade beginning training band, there will be more performance opportunities in 7th and 8th grade as well as high school, college and beyond.

Do we practice after school?
Most all practices are during school. However there may be one or two special practices after school near a concert if we combine with the Holy Redeemer Band. These practices will be published on the calendar.

How do I choose an instrument?
Students and parents should complete the registration form given out at the spring band/chorus presentation. You will select three (3) instruments in order of preference with number one being the first choice, etc. The director will use that as a guide when testing for instrument selection in the fall. Students will have the chance to try out the instrument mouthpieces during the first week of school after director instruction. From this test, the student and director will choose an instrument together taking into account the students preference, physical structure, ability to produce a characteristic mouthpiece sound and balancing the number of each instrument in the band. We have to have a certain number of each instrument in order for the band to be successful. Information will be sent home indicating the final instrument choice. Do not acquire an instrument until you receive this information in the fall indicating the final decision!.

How do I get an instrument?
A list of music dealers in the metro area who rent instruments is available by clicking here: music stores   It is from many years of experience that we can advise you that the safe thing to do in the early stages is to rent, not buy. 
If you have a family owned instrument, you are welcome to use it. However make sure you take it to an instrument repair shop to make sure it is in good playing condition.

What instruments can I play?
Every student starts with a choice between flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone or percussion. Later on, a few students can change to other (color) instruments after mastering one of the "basic six". We add those instruments later because they can be a little more difficult.

Students interested in playing oboe or bassoon should consider starting on flute or clarinet. Students interested in playing French horn, baritone or tuba should consider starting on trumpet or trombone.

What opportunities exist after sixth grade?
The Queen of Angels band has plans for great things in the future. Opportunities will be available to perform at Large Group Performance Evaluation, Solo and Ensemble Performance Evaluation, District and All-State Bands and more. Students who continue in band through high school go on trips, football games and more. After high school, college admissions look favorably on participation in band as part of a well-rounded education for majors in medicine, law, business and others.