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Beginning Band Interviews
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how to join the band
When the 5th grade counselors send home the electives preference sheet, you simply choose beginning band as your elective. Once the Watkins counselors have all of the preference sheets, we will make a list and send you information about the beginning band interview nights that are discussed below.
beginning band interview nights
At the Beginning Band Interview Night, we have a 25 minute introduction to the Watkins Band, a demonstration of all of the instruments, and then we meet with every family individually to help the new band student choose the best instrument for them. Families receive a number as they arrive to determine the order we see them for the individual interview. Once the interview is completed, a music store representative will be available to answer any questions you have about how to secure an instrument and prices of that instrument. You may sign a contract right there if you would like to do so, but you are also welcome to shop around and secure an instrument from any instrument supplier. Go to the Recommended Instruments and Supplies page for more information.
Numbers are given out as families arrive for the order of the interviews. If getting a specific instrument is very important to you, please come to the first meeting and get there early.
some instrument classes are small, and fill up quickly. Saxophone, flute and percussion usually fill up very quickly. We have to set the band up like any team, with a certain number of students playing each instrument. The band cannot function if we do not have the right number of players on each instrument. If you are determined to get a specific instrument, it would be wise to attend the first night and get there early.
Physical characteristics, personality and overall grades in school help the directors decide what instrument to recommend to a student. This is a big part of the Beginning Band Interview Night. We want to get each child on the best instrument for them and make sure they have the best chance of success!
percussion class
Percussion class is very different than what many people think. It is not only drums. More than half of the class is learning how to play the mallet instruments like the xylophone. We have to learn more instruments and more complicated music than any other class. We consider it to be an upper-level class. Percussionists must be able to sit quietly for long periods of time with nothing to do because frequently, there are no parts or very small parts to play in the full band setting. Students who are interested in percussion must have excellent grades and excellent behavior. We also require private lessons to play percussion. This is also a smaller class and does fill up quickly. You must bring a recent report card and have excellent academic and conduct grades to be considered for this instrument.
number of students on each instrument
the exact numbers change with the number of students enrolled, but this is about how many will be in each class.
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watkins middle school band * cy-fair isd * 4800 cairnvillage * houston, tx 77084 * 281.463.5857 * (c) 2006
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