Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 🤔

On-line: Head to the   DISTRICT-WIDE SIGN-UP FOR ELEMENTARY BAND! 

We assume you’re a beginner with no music reading experience. ANYONE can join!
If can you already read music, you just have an advantage.

NO, We welcome any interested participants! We may make limitations on the number of players on each instrument, depending upon the needs of the ensemble.

*However, Due to equipment availability, we have to limit Percussion to 6.

The directors make recommendations based upon:
-Needs of the band (just like a baseball team can't have all pitchers, the band needs many "positions" filled)
-Your body shape and size, and your ability to match pitch.

NOTE: This doesn't mean you have to play with what is suggested (unless we STRONGLY suggest it). Instrument choice is often based on WHAT SOUNDS COOL to YOU;
     *Go listen the video links, and we'll play for you at the Beginning of the Year Assembly for Band.
     *Band directors LOVE to have Low Brass (Trombone and Baritone)!!!

-Rent (see rental companies below): We RECOMMEND this approach: you get local support and repair.
   

*If you're thinking of buying an instrument...
     WARNING WARNING WARNING!!!
    *There are a LOT of "off-brand" instruments flooding the "big box" stores and the internet. Cheap is Cheap;
 There's no substitute for a quality instrument. What you MAY save in the initial on-line purchase will be   more than countered with constant repairs, mal-adjustments, and frustration; it's not worth it.

                        Here's a Youtube video that goes into more detail about "cheap instruments".

Check with Mr. Peterson if you have found a "great deal"; It's likely not. Stick with the time-tested brands, and the local merchants, as they will stand by (and can repair) their sales.

-Borrow (some instruments available from Evergreen...first come first served!); We rent at $100 for the year.
-Own (parent, older sibling, relative, neighbor). MAKE SURE that if you HAVE AN INSTRUMENT THAT'S BEEN                      UNUSED FOR A WHILE that you have it CHECKED OUT BY A QUALIFIED REPAIR TECHNICIAN.

1. Music and Arts (Redmond) 425 881-8777
2. Metropolitan Music (Kirkland) 206.729.9299
3. Moore Brothers Music (Plateau) 425 836-2263 www.moorebrothersmusic.com
4. Union Hill Winds: John Werth does a lot of repairs for Evergreen, and both he and wife Julie are experienced clarinet/sax players, and great teachers!
5. Kennelly Keys (Bellevue) 425 455-8282

AGAIN: We DO NOT recommend buying an instrument; the "savings" doesn't add up in the long run.  If you are sure you want to purchase an instrument, Contact Mr. Peterson for more information. 

Lessons are always Highly Recommended! (but not required)
(Consider piano lessons as a start; OR, Get a head start with lessons on your instrument of choice)

1. Music and Arts (Redmond) 425 881-8777
2. Metropolitan Music (Kirkland) 206.729.9299
3. Moore Brothers Music (Plateau) 425 836-2263 www.moorebrothersmusic.com
4. Union Hill Winds: John Werth does a lot of repairs for Evergreen, and both he and wife Julie are experienced clarinet/sax players, and great teachers!
5. Kennelly Keys (Bellevue) 425 455-8282

At the Elementary Band level, we stick to the basic instruments both for simplicity (it makes it easier to teach you on these), for your development (they're easier to learn), AND for your pocketbook (saxophone for instance is quite a bit more expensive).

     *Note: Some other Elementary Band sites do start on other instruments; there is some site variation.
Usually in 6th grade, once basic skills are developed:
-A Clarinet player can easily pick up Saxophone and other woodwinds like Bassoon or Oboe
-A Baritone or Trombone player can learn Tuba pretty easily;
-the Mallet/"Pitched" Percussion (Bells) gives you a good beginning to all of the Percussion;
-Trumpet and Flute players can pick up French Horn (and even Tuba!).

While Piano and Guitar are great for you to learn reading music, there is rarely sheet music for the "traditional" Band; they're better suited to the Jazz Band when you get to a pretty proficient level. These instruments are best learned in private or semi-private lessons.

*At the Middle School level, you're very valuable as a multi-instrument player!

Absolutely!
Friends are more fun to learn with, they can help you be more successful, and are easier to carpool or ride the bus with. Another advantage is that you'll make friends with Banders from other schools who are also playing!

-WHEN YOU GET TO MIDDLE SCHOOL as a 6th grader, you'll be the one who knows the school the best, since you've already been there. You'll have a better understanding of the layout of the school, you'll already know many of the students from other Elementary schools, and some of the teachers.
*Being in Elementary Band will REALLY reduce the stress of transitioning to Middle School!

We use ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS FOR BAND, BOOK 1 ("Yellow Book") for Beginning Band and ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS FOR BAND, BOOK 2 ("Red Book") for Cadet Band. Make sure to get the correct book for your instrument!
(Baritones get "Baritone B.C.") 

There is NO COST for the PROGRAM; It's sponsored by LWSD!
-The only cost is for the Instrument Rental (see: "Where do we go for RENTALS..." above)

There is FINANCIAL HELP available as well: We will never let financial need get in the way of learning to play!
-Through the generosity of anonymous donors, you can apply for a rental "scholarship".
-Also: Evergreen also has some instruments that you can rent for a minimal fee. Just ask!

Please contact Mr. Peterson for scholarships and more information.

We discourage that because:
-Your instrument is not insured at Evergreen (if you own yours, get it covered under your homeowner's insurance);
-You can't play it at home, unless you have one checked out to you to keep at home (we do this with some of the larger brass, where you have an instrument at home, and all you have to bring to class is your mouthpiece).
-We don't recommend you share an instrument with an older sibling. That's just yucky...

Two Options:
-Parents can Drive individually; or
-Carpool with friends.

Until otherwise noted, you cannot take the Middle School bus to Elementary Band. They're just too full.
*Mr. Peterson will have Jazz Band everyday, so he's here before 7:00. Mr. Beise is  usually here before 7:25. You can drop off early, and students can "hang out" in the Music Wing.

Buses will whisk you and the Elementary Orchestra students back to Alcott in time for your classes start.
Dickinson/Explorer students will walk back to school; there is a crossing guard at the driveway between EMS and Dickinson

*TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS AT YOUR SCHOOLS KNOW THAT YOU MIGHT BE a few minutes LATE TO THE START OF CLASS.

Band is a great way to become a well-rounded person, (this is something colleges recognize) and we often have kids involved in Quest, Choir, Debate, Patrol, Actors, Athletes, and we schedule our events with consideration for other events.
Try to get your schedule to avoid any conflicts, but if conflicts do occur, we can work those out with the advisor as long as we know ahead of time: Make sure to keep us informed!

*Safety Patrol: Please try to schedule your shifts so they don't interfere with your Band days. We're willing to work with you as long as we plan ahead.

We take roll each day, contact the elementary schools, and call home to confirm absences if a pattern emerges. Since we only meet a couple of times a week, each class is very important. PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ATTEND ON A CONSISTENT BASIS. It's the best way to learn and be successful (AND have Fun!)

*EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR INSTRUMENT (repairs, left at Grandma's, left in your room) Come anyway. While it's not as much fun as playing, you will still learn! And, we may be able to loan you an instrument AND book for the class

*We NEVER CANCEL A BAND CLASS: Either Mr. Beise or Mr. Peterson OR Both will always be here. If school's open, we're teaching! Except for...

*SNOW DAYS or LATE STARTS: the DISTRICT will automatically cancel ALL before school activities, including Elementary Band and Orchestra.

• You will receive a beginning of the year Elementary Band packet ("on PAR with Elementary Band").

• We create an Elementary Band-specific TEAMS Site page for all announcements, documents, assignments, calendars, and general information.

• We also keep this Elementary Band webpage updated (note "Updated" dates), and Mr. Peterson will Blog on it periodically.

• You will receive regular email information from Mr. Peterson or Mr. Beise (Please make sure epeterson@lwsd.org and rbeise@lwsd.org are in your address book to stay out of the SPAM folder!)

• We also recommend: Growing Your Musician: A Practical Guide for Band and Orchestra Parents by Tony Bancroft. There are also a number of web resources on how to help your budding Musician!

Yes, Concerts are part of the regular Evaluation and Communication part.

Each Band will play 2-3 concerts throughout the year (generally December, Feb/March, and May). The specific schedule will be in your Information Packet, on the TEAMS Elementary Band site.

While there's no official uniform, we consider this a presentation of learning, and encourage formal type dressing (gents usually wear ties and nice shirts/pants).

-Each Band Student has two weekly classes of 30-40 minutes
-IT is expected that students will commit to a Full Year on ONE instrument for best results! 
     *It's not generally a good idea to "switch" instruments during the first year
-We will have 3 evening concerts (December, March, May/June)
-We MAY have at least one day field trip (past events: LW Symphony Orchestra; performances at schools/off-campus audiences; 1 "fun" event)

On-line: Head to the DISTRICT-WIDE SIGN-UP FOR ELEMENTARY BAND!

ERIC T PETERSON:  EPETERSON@LWSD.ORG

RYAN BEISE: RBEISE@LWSD.ORG