BAND INFO

BAND INFORMATION BELOW

You can join 1st year band in 6th grade!

Want to be a part of Ingot tradition?

Want to go on field trips and play music for people in need?

IF YOU SAID YES TO ANY OF THIS THEN...

JOIN!!!!

6th Grade Band Form

6th Grade Band Information

Frequently Asked Questions from Sixth Graders and their Parents

Why Should I Join Band? Instrumental music provides students with an opportunity to participate in a good, wholesome, group activity while receiving an excellent music education. Learning the skills necessary to master a musical instrument is a mentally challenging and emotionally rewarding experience. Studies show that students who participate in music performance groups score higher on SAT's and other standardized tests. Self-discipline, strength of character and stage presence are also gained, along with a life-long appreciation of music that truly cannot be learned any better way.

What Does the Band Do? The Bands in the Middle School and High Schools are very active. They perform many times each year. The performances include the Homecoming Parade, the Fourth of July Parade, the football half-time shows, the basketball games and pep assemblies. There are Holiday, Winter and Spring concerts, District Band contests, District and State Solo and Ensemble contests, school Assembly Programs for the elementary schools as well as the Middle School. There is that little trip we take to…DISNEY too!!! We do, indeed, keep busy! We even roller skate, swim, and bowl together from time to time. We consider Band to be one big, happy, active family.

Can I Play Sports And Be In Band Too? Yes! Band meets during the school day, just like English, Math, or any other subject. All Sports meet after school; so there is no scheduling conflict. In fact, Every Sport at River Forest High School has at least one Band member on the team! There are several high school football players in Band at the present time. Furthermore, Band does not interfere with being a cheerleader. In fact, many of the current River Forest High School cheerleaders are Band members.

Will Piano Lessons Help Me To Learn A Band Instrument? Yes. Students who have taken piano lessons often make the best Band members because they have a head start on counting, reading notes, finger coordination, etc. We recommend to any student who is doing well on piano to start Band, provided he or she meets the other requirements. Taking Band does not mean a student has to quit piano lessons. The two, in fact, compliment each other, thereby making a stronger, more knowledgeable musician. However, previous musical experience is not at all necessary for membership in Beginning Band.

How Much Time Should I Put In Practicing? It does take effort to play an instrument! Unfortunately, there are no short cuts and no substitutes for home practice. We expect members of the beginning band to practice at home at least 30 minutes DAILY. With one thousand, four hundred and forty minutes in each 24-hour day, one should have no trouble setting aside a few of those minutes to practice! Fortunately, we have many dedicated students who enjoy practicing even longer than the required time. Just make it part of your daily routine (like homework). We have found, through the years, that students who do not practice do not succeed.