Westwood Band Program Overview

• Band is a full school year commitment

• There are 4 main components to Band:

  • Full Band (or "Big Band"): Students learn music in a large group with all of the instruments

  • Lessons: Students receive small group individualized instruction with like instruments

  • Written Assignments: Students learn about how to read and write music notation and vocabulary

  • Concerts: Students perform for the community

Responsibilities 

• Being in band involves responsibilities on the parts of students and parents/guardians

  • • Students commit to:

      • Regular practice practicing

      • Maintaining their instrument

      • Bringing materials to each class/lesson, and home to practice

      • Communicating with parent/guardian and/or teacher when there is a question or need

    • Parents/Guardians commit to:

      •  Making sure students have a place to practice 

      • Encouraging regular practice in a positive manner

      • Providing a quality instrument that is in good working order, and getting repair/maintenance as needed

Skills for Success

Band is great for helping build real world skills! We find that students successful in band grow in their skills of:

• Self-Discipline: The band directors are not there each times students play. Student led regular Practice is the quickest way to musical excellence!

• Dedication/Work Ethic: Playing an instrument isn't always easy! Don't quit when you meet a challenge!

• Organization: All of our band students are involved in many life activities (sports, church, civic groups, work, etc...), setting aside a specific time and place to practice are important for success in band (and in life!)

• Leadership: We find that our band students are often the team captains, student councilors, and club leaders in our school!

Instrumentation and Instrument Selection

In any band, the musicians are members of a team. Within the team, there are often different positions that need to be covered. In the band, we call this "Instrumentation" - the proportional number of each instrument we need to have a balanced (good-sounding) band. This means that there are certain needs for a certain number of instruments. Because of this, students will need to decide on three (3) instruments they would feel comfortable playing. This is why students may not receive their first choice.

Instrument Families

Band Instruments are typically sorted into three families:

Woodwind

• Instruments were either once made of wood (Flute), or use a wooden reed to produce a sound make sound (Clarinet, Saxophone, Oboe, Bassoon). Reeds are like tires on a car--they will last for a while with good care, but will need to be replaced at regular intervals. Reeds cost can vary, but usually families purchase in boxes of 5-10. Students may go through about two reeds per month on a regular practice schedule.

Brass

• Sound is produced by buzzing one's lips together into a metal mouthpiece. (Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba)

Percussion

• Not just "the drums"

• This family is often misunderstood by beginning band students. Young percussionists take on the responsibility of learning many instruments, with a primary focus on mallets and snare.

• Preference is typically given to students who have had at least two years of piano lessons, as the mallet system is identical to the piano system. Additionally, the timpani requires students to read in bass clef, while mallets will read in both treble and bass clef.

To learn more about each instrument, click on the instrument menu at the top of the page!