INSTRUMENT SELECTION DAYS
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR BEGINNING BAND INSTRUMENT SELECTION DAYS
There is A LOT of information on this page regarding instrument selection days, how they work, and directions for the band hall. Please read all information on this page!
We know that summer schedules can be hard to work around, but tried to provide different times of the day that might give you more options for being able to attend one of the days! If none of the days work for you/your student, please send an email to stacy.mackay@midlandisd.net to see if we can find a time that works.
We currently have instrument selection days scheduled for:
Tuesday, August 1st - 4:00-7:00pm
Wednesday, August 2nd - 6:00-8:00pm
Thursday, August 3rd - potentially during Scout Scramble (5:00-7:00pm)
Saturday, August 5th - 10:00am - 2:00pm
Sunday, August 6th - 10:00am - 2:00pm
Monday, August 7th - 5:00-7:00pm
Instrument Selection Days are a "come & go" event. You do not have to be present for the entire time, but you might have to wait for a little bit as we meet with students on a first come, first served basis.
The length of time for each student selecting will vary based on how many instruments they wish to try (we ask that you try at least 3!), but most are done in less than 10 minutes.
Parents do not have to attend with the student, but we highly recommend that at least one does!
We requested air from the district during instrument selection days, but please come dressed for it to be a little warm in the band hall.
You only need to attend ONE of the days.
When you meet with the directors to select an instrument, we will guide you through the process of trying the instruments. Our goal is to have you make a characteristic sound on the mouthpiece of an instrument, as well as hold each instrument so you can get a feel for it. We have placed thousands of kids between us over the years and will use that expertise to guide you to instruments that might be more natural for you. We want you to be successful & enjoy whatever instrument you choose!Watch the instrument videos on the "VIDEOS" page to get an idea of what each instrument is all about.
You can try as many instruments as you like, but we recommend you try a minimum of 3. Keep an open mind when trying instruments for the first time - you've never done anything like this before and it won't be perfect out of the gate, but we will do our very best to get you to make a characteristic sound. We also might ask you to try an instrument that wasn't in your "top 3" if we think you could be successful on it!If you want to be considered for the beginning percussion class, you will have to select a wind instrument first.
We have to balance the band instrumentation as we go - we can't have a percussion section of 12+ students because there are just not pieces written for a section that large. We usually take 6-10 percussionists depending on the size of the beginning band overall. Students selected for percussion typically demonstrate good internal sense of tempo, natural rhythm, and excellent hand coordination. Students who are not selected for beginning percussion will be placed on their top wind instrument choice.
All Instrument Selection Days will be held in the Alamo JH Band Hall
3800 Storey Ave.
Midland, TX 79703
The Alamo Band Hall is located on the southwest corner of the school (Storey Ave. & Midland Dr.) - marked on the map with a STAR. The band hall double doors face Doug Russell/Midland Drive. There will be a sign in the window to the right of the doors.
The parking lots are currently under construction (installing lights, new curbs, & repaving/painting), so we recommend that you park on Storey Ave. and walk along the front of the building around the parking lot to get to the band hall doors.
You will not be able to enter through the front of the school - you will have to walk around to the band hall doors! We will try to post signs in front of the school pointing you in the right direction.
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE BAND DIRECTORS
Both Mrs. Mackay and Mr. Rose have events this summer that will take them away from Midland, but we will be checking our e-mail periodically. We will get back to you as soon as we can!
Mrs. Mackay - stacy.mackay@midlandisd.net
(My email address is still under my maiden name - it should change some time this summer, but this address will forward to the new one when it is activated)
Mr. Rose - brian.rose@midlandisd.net