Looked around the site but still have some questions? Here are some common questions and their answers. If your question is not answered here, feel free to email Mr. Brannman at: wbrannman@lwsd.org.
How will the district's move from the Junior High model to the Middle School model affect band?
Much of this is still undecided. We know that in the Fall of 2012, our entire district will begin the Middle School model so Kamiakin will become a middle school with grades 6,7,8. Starting that year, any band member in 6th grade will have band every day (which is GREAT!) but we don't know yet what the 5th grade Beginning Band model will look like. Our hope is that the district will retain 5th grade band using the middle school band rooms with a schedule that MIGHT look like this:
Monday = Beginning clarinets only
Tuesday = Beginning flutes only
Wednesday = Beginning trumpets only
Thursday = Beginning trombones only
Friday = All Beginners TOGETHER!
As a parent, how can I help my child succeed in band?
You'll find that our band directors, Mr. Brannman and Mr. Stombaugh are quite good at communicating with parents. You'll enjoy updates and hints about band via email, progress reports, concerts and written letters & notes. Another GREAT way to familiarize yourself with this new and exciting world of band is to read the book, Growing Your Musician by Tony Bancroft (2007, Rowman & Littlefield Publishing, Inc.). This 145-page book (available in hardback and paperback) is full of information and ideas to help you as the parent guide your son or daughter through instrument choice, purchase/rent decisions, cleaning, practicing, motivation, terminology, private lessons and MUCH more. The directors heartily recommend this easy-to-understand, entertaining and useful book full of advice for the band parent from 5th grade through college entrance. A current search of www.amazon.com found 30 used paperbacks available. The Grammy Foundation said that, "Parents will find it comprehensive, informative, and reassuring in supporting their child's instrumental musical endeavors."
What band instrument can my child play?
Although there are many different instruments within the Kamiakin bands you see performing for elementary assemblies and throughout our community, some are not suitable for beginners. Several of them are intended to be switched TO after one or two years on a similar instrument. Beginning Band members may choose from the following band instruments (brass, and especially LOW brass are suggested for those who are undecided. All band directors LOVE to have more low brass players):
flute (woodwind)
clarinet (woodwind)
trumpet (upper brass)
trombone (low brass)
percussion (drums/bells) – see special instructions below
What about piano and guitar?
This is a great question which we get every year. Although there is no sheet music for piano players or guitar players in a traditional school band, you are very valuable people to our whole band! Your passion and understanding of music will benefit you greatly as you learn one of the wind instruments listed above. Also, once you’re in junior high, Kamiakin offers a terrific Jazz Ensemble which DOES use an accomplished piano and guitar player so keep practicing while you learn a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument!
When does the Beginning Band meet?
Those in the Beginning Band meet twice per week. Woodwinds (clarinets and flutes) meet every Tuesday and Thursday from 8:15-9:00 a.m. Brass (trombones and trumpets) meet every Wednesday and Thursday from 8:15-9:00 a.m. You can see that Thursday is our time together as an entire band. The Frost and Keller kids will then ride a bus back to their schools and Muir students simply cross the street (a crossing guard will be on duty every day). This schedule allows minimal conflict with their elementary day and avoids all conflicts with other activities your child is involved in after school. It’s a great schedule for everyone involved! Look below for a weekly rehearsal schedule.
When does the 6th grade Intermediate Band meet?
The Intermediate Band meets every Monday and Friday from 8:15-9:00 a.m. as an entire band. By the second year in band, we no longer need to separate the woodwinds and brass!
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
Entire 6th grade Intermediate Band at Kamiakin | Only the Beginning Woodwinds at Kamiakin | Only the Beginning Brass & Percussion
At Kamiakin | Entire Beginning Band at Kamiakin | Entire 6th grade Intermediate Band at Kamiakin
|
Can I join if I’m home schooled?
Sure! We have home-schooled kids in band every year since it’s a course that would be impossible to offer at home. This is a terrific way for home-schooled kids to join other kids twice every week. Carpools become even easier if you team up with other home-schoolers. If you live in our attendace area and want to be in band, we’d love to have you join us!
My child is in the Quest program at Franklin or Sandburg Elementary but will end up at Kamiakin. What should we do?
We've dealt with this situation for many years and it works out easily if there's a carpool after band to Franklin. Personally, I'd like to have those students in my elementary band so they get used to the room, the patterns, the directors and the system that we use here. It is feasible to take elementary band at Rose Hill JH but then, in 7th grade, those students will be adapting to a new band. Even those in part-time Quest at Sandburg may opt to take band at Kamiakin so the kids and director become familiar. Typically, all Quest kids leave rehearsal a few minutes early in order to get back to their Quest campus a bit earlier.
How much homeroom will they miss?
Band students will miss from 5-15 minutes of their elementary homeroom on their two designated band days. This is understood and supported by the homeroom teachers and administrators at the elementary schools.
What about Patrol and Student Council?
Students who serve as crosswalk Patrol officers, simply schedule their shifts after school to avoid conflicts with band in the morning. If you’re elected to your school’s Student Council, congratulations! We’ll try to work with your school’s Council leader to avoid conflicts with morning band rehearsals.
Can my child start on saxophone?
Beginning Band members wishing to play the saxophone must begin on the clarinet for their first year then switch to sax after our final concert of the year. We end up with truly better sax players because of this policy and you will appreciate the gentler tone and reduced rent of the clarinet. Sixth graders in Beginning Band may not start on saxophone unless they’ve taken saxophone lessons privately.
Can my child keep his/her instrument at Kamiakin?
Unless a junior high sibling shares an instrument (which usually doesn’t work very well anyway), there is no reason to store an elementary instrument at Kamiakin. The elementary classroom teachers allow space for instrument storage and the bus drivers are happy to have band members carry their instruments onto the bus.
How do I become a drummer?
We require that each 5th grade student intending to play drums start on one of the standard wind instruments (trumpet, trombone, flute, or clarinet) through our first two concerts. We’ve found that the beginning drum books do not involve percussionists adequately and many kids become disenchanted with the simplicity of their drum part. After our second concert, a handful of students may switch to drums and will understand musical basics more thoroughly because of their wind instrument experience. Here are the stipulations to becoming an accomplished percussionist:
1) Start on a wind instrument (trumpet, trombone, flute, or clarinet)
2) After two concerts, and acceptance based on audition, all elementary percussionists will need:
A) A stick bag
B) One pair of 7B snare sticks
C) One pair of bell mallets (least expensive one-piece, plastic)
D) The "Essential Elements 2000" percussion book #1
E) Rental of snare/bells kit (The Ludwig brand comes with a rolling case with a handle)
3) Private lessons on either piano or drums are helpful for all serious percussionists.
4) Students who have been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD or who have difficulty focusing on tasks typically have a difficult time in a percussion section. Percussionists stand up during rehearsal and are responsible for several instruments. This overstimulation combined with the fact that the percussion section is the farthest from the teacher has proven to be confusing and frustrating. Choosing a single wind instrument to play while sitting in a chair has proven to be much more fulfilling for these kids.
5) If there are more than five students wishing to become drummers, we will hold auditions and choose the top five candidates based on rhythmic precision and rehearsal habits. More than five drummers can cause “balance” problems within the band and within the music itself.
My child is in 6th grade this year and didn’t join last year. Can he/she still start band?
Yes, we accept 6th graders as beginners. Some students forgot to register in 5th grade or may have moved into our district from a region that starts band in 6th grade. Either way, with the right work ethic and positive attitude, they can be quite successful in band and have a great time with their friends. They will play through the first two concerts with the Beginning Band and then transfer to the Intermediate Band right after the second concert. The success of this is mostly dependent upon their willingness to work twice as effectively to catch up. Private lessons, of course, are strongly encouraged in order to make up for lost time. In the Fall of 2010, when Kamiakin becomes a middle school, starting in 6th grade may become more difficult -- or easier! We haven't yet developed a plan for those starting instruments in 6th grade.
Where do we get an instrument?
Your child's instrument may be rented, borrowed, or owned. There are several local retail stores who can help you with obtaining an instrument or giving you the information you need. If you have an instrument and question its playability, have Mr. Brannman look at it for a recommendation. IT IS CRUCIAL THAT YOU DO NOT PURCHASE AN INSTRUMENT FROM A WAREHOUSE STORE. We’ve had trouble with off-brand instruments so only use a reputable music store for your instrument needs. Please put a nametag (including which elementary school) on all instrument cases, backpacks, music books and lunch containers so that items left in the band room after rehearsal can be returned quickly.
Are there concerts? Band uniforms?
The elementary bands will have three Thursday-evening concerts during the year. Concerts will be from 7:30-8:15 in Kamiakin's gymnasium. There is no charge and entire families are welcome to attend. There is no Beginning Band uniform but students are encouraged to dress nicely for all performances. Members of the Intermediate Band wear black and white to all concerts. Any elementary band member who earns a music medal by participating in Honor Band or by being featured at a concert should wear their medal to every elementary concert through 6th grade.
How do I get to Kamiakin for rehearsals?
Keller and distant Frost students have the choice of riding the regularly scheduled junior high bus (bus stops are VERY near your home). Nearby Frost and Muir students usually have an adult drive them, or organize a band carpool from your neighborhood. We also have students who attend Franklin Elementary’s “Quest” program in our band; those kids simply organize carpools back to Franklin – it works out quite easily. All band members should be at Kamiakin by 8:10 for our 8:15 start time.
Will band interfere with other activities?
Band is a fantastic opportunity for you and your family. We know how busy students and families are and we are always proud to have accomplished athletes, home-schoolers, “Hot Dogs USA” members, actors, “Quest” students, hobbyists, dancers (if you've ever taken dance classes or are currently enrolled in dance, your sense of rhythm and style make you the PERFECT candidate for band!) and other interesting people sign up for band. We try to schedule our rehearsals and concerts as sensitively as possible so students can still pursue their homework and outside interests. Band is yet another way to become a well-rounded person.
What if my child misses a rehearsal?
Attendance will be taken at every rehearsal and absences will be reported to the student's school immediately following rehearsal. Since we only meet two times per week, it is important for your child to be on time to every rehearsal. In the case of attendance problems, Mr. Brannman will call home to check if there is a situation or confusion we can help with.
What book should we buy?
The band students will be reading music from a book called Essential Elements 2000. These books are available at all the local retail stores for around $7.00 (the percussion book is more because it covers more material) and come with a fantastic play-along CD/DVD for no additional cost! We may be writing and using stickers in them so it's important that they have their own book as soon as possible. Beginning Band members should buy book #1. Intermediate Band members should get book #2. If the stores run out, don't panic; your child can share for a short while. We use the same book all year and there are no other books to purchase.
It’s the first day of band and I don't have my instrument or book yet. Should I still START band?
YES! We can wait for your instrument or book to show up but there's information you need from the very first rehearsal. Please show up even if you're empty-handed. If you DO miss the first or second rehearsal, please come as soon as you can so we can get you started!
Can I join with a friend?
You bet! In fact, research shows that you’ll be more successful in music if you learn along with friends. Sharing what you know with others from your class or from your school allows you to learn faster and have a good time, too! Additionally, carpooling or riding the bus is much easier if your neighborhood classmates join you from the very beginning. Another advantage that band kids have is that they meet many kids from the other two schools and are much more comfortable moving up to Kamiakin as a 7th grader. Band students begin junior high knowing more students, several teachers, the layout of the school, and other interesting things about Kamiakin. Being in band is a great way to prepare for the smoothest transition to junior high!
So, how do I register for band?
Simple! Just have your parents fill out a registration sheet. Registration sheets are mailed out during the summer to incoming 5th graders and are also passed out to all 5th graders and interested 6th graders in September. If you need another one, simply email Mr. Brannman (wbrannman@lwsd.org) and he'll enclose it in his email response. You may mail it in to Mr. Brannman at the following address:
Ward Brannman, Director of Bands
Kamiakin Junior High
14111 132nd Ave. NE
Kirkland, WA 98034
You can also just bring it to band on the first day. Personally, when I registered for band in 5th grade (at Lake Forest Park Elementary), it literally changed the course of my life. Come join the fun! -Mr B.