Charles Henderson“Blue Machine” Bands

Dear Sixth Grade Parents,

We are now making plans for the Troy Elementary School Beginner Band! My name is Rae Denison and I am the Band director for Troy Elementary and Charles Henderson Middle School. I want to encourage all sixth graders to consider joining our award winning band program.We know all parents are interested in providing positive opportunities for their children.Please take a moment to allow us to present this information concerning our beginning band programs.

This yearTroy Elementary Schoolwill offer the chance for every sixth grade student to participate in beginning band. We are very excited about our instrumental music program in Troy City Schools and eagerly look forward to this new crop of young artists who will join us.

Band is made up of students just like yours. Most of them have never played a band instrument before and may have little or no music reading skills.Many see band as a class on learning to play an instrument, but we know it is much more than that. It is the development of a family of friends that will last a lifetime. It is also the establishment of some rather profound environmental influences which will determine much of your child's success in all aspects of education, not just band.

Band classes will meet during the school day only with two or three after school concerts during the year. The instruments our beginner band students will learn to play are flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone, tuba, and percussion.

One of the most positive experiences you can offer your child is the chance to learn self-discipline at an advanced level through participation in band. Their social skills, communication skills, self-concepts, cooperative talents and creative mind will all be nurtured through their study of music. These life-skills will serve as an important foundation as they take on various responsibilities in their future. However, band is more than that. CHMS and CHHS band students have a lot of fun.They have recently taken trips to exciting places like Six Flags, Washington D. C., Orlando, St. Louis, and Williamsburg.

I hope that the attached information will answer some of your questions.If you still have questions or concerns, please contact me by email or by phone at the numbers below.I look forward to getting to know you and hope that you and your child will discuss the possibility of joining our outstanding band program.

Musically Yours,

Rae Denison,
Troy Elementary School Band Director

CHMS 334-566-5770

Frequently Asked Questions

1. DO I HAVE TO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT MUSIC TO JOIN BAND?

NO!Any training in music that you might have will be helpful, but everything you need to know toplay an instrument will be taught inBAND.

2. WHO WILL BE IN BAND?

Your friends and fellow classmates will join you in what will be some of the most exciting times in your school days.The more friends, the more fun you will have. Many of our band students are the leaders in academic achievement at our school. Some band members are also cheerleaders. Others participate in football, baseball, softball, volleyball, golf, JROTC and many other school activities.

3. HOW DO I KNOW WHAT INSTRUMENT TO PLAY?

You will have several opportunities to meet with the band director.At this time we will let you play the beginning band instruments and further discuss which instrument would be best suited for you.Because of physical characteristics, you might progress faster on one instrument than another and the band director will be able to steer you toward the instrument that is right for you.

4. DOES IT COST ALOTOF MONEY TO BE IN THE BAND?

NO! The main cost is your instrument. Good new and used instruments are available from music stores.Most students rent an instrument on a rental-purchase plan at a very low monthly cost. The school Band fee is only $15 per semester.

A word of caution about instruments purchased from online stores, large retail chains, warehouse stores:

Many of these instruments are made with low quality materials and parts that don’t conform to any industry standards.They may look nice, but can actually be detrimental to your child’s progress.With many of these instruments not meeting any industry standards, they tend to be more difficult, and in some cases, impossible to repair.When you rent an instrument from a reputable music store, they stand behind the quality of the instrument.Most even have a maintenance/repair agreement as part of the rental contract where your child’s instrument can be repaired at little or no additional cost, with minimal downtime – most even offer loaner instruments while your child’s instrument is being repaired.

5.DO I HAVE TO GO OUT OF TOWN TO GET AN INSTRUMENT?

NO!We have a representative from a reputable music store that will come to Troy at a laterdate tooffer their services to you.You do not have to use this music retailer, but we do ask that you consider renting/purchasing from a reputable instrument dealer.

6. WHAT INSTRUMENTS CAN I CHOOSE FROM?

WOODWIND / BRASS / PERCUSSION
Flute / Trumpet / Snare Drum
Clarinet / French Horn+ / Bells
Saxophone / Trombone
Oboe+ / Baritone+
Bassoon+ / Tuba+

The instruments marked (+) in the list above are larger and/or more expensive instruments that are owned by the school.If one of these instruments turns out to be the right fit for your child, they are available for a yearly repair and maintenance fee of $60.

If you are interested in enrolling your child in the band classes at Troy Elementary please complete this sheet and return it to Mr. Denison.

Student Name:

Homeroom:

Parents Name:

Phone:

Email:

Instrument 1st choice:

Instrument 2nd choice: