Band at Village

This is for Village Elementary School students.

No prior experience is necessary. We don’t just teach how to play an instrument and read music. We increase student's memory while helping to improving coordination, math, reading and comprehension skills. 

In band, students learn perseverance with a valuable sense of achievement and, while experiencing rich culture and history, learn a strong sense of responsibility.  Even though we all know music nurtures self-expression, it’s important to remember it also improves student’s listening and social skills.

Students integrate with each other and perform as an inspirationally powerful ensemble, demonstrating the true power music has to unite us all. 

We only offer the follow instruments in band. 

• FLUTE - Recommended for 3rd grade and above
• CLARINET - Recommended for 2nd grade and above
• ALTO SAXOPHONE- Recommended for 4th grade and above
• TRUMPET- Recommended for 2nd grade and above
• PERCUSSION- Recommended for 2nd grade and above.

INSTRUMENTS:

-Students are responsible for obtaining an instrument (read below for rental information), a music book (Essential Elements for Band) and  a portable music stand. All these materials should be brought to the first day of band.            

— If you are a busy family and would prefer to rent from a reputable company online, we have one that ships to you and has GREAT customer service and competitive pricing. We HIGHLY recommend them!

---You will use this link to RENT YOUR INSTRUMENT https://www.sweetwater.com/instrument-rentals/rent   "Instrument Rentals are affordable, top quality, priced affordably, and upgraded with best-in-class accessories. From our world class customer service to an unprecedented advance-replacement exchange model, we are an easy choice for parents everywhere in the country."

--- You will use THESE LINKS TO PURCHASE the materials needed for band:

FLUTES:

https://tinyurl.com/fluteband24

CLARINETS

https://tinyurl.com/clarinetband

ALTO SAXOPHONE

https://tinyurl.com/altoband

TRUMPET

https://tinyurl.com/trumpetband

PERCUSSION

https://tinyurl.com/drums-band

UNDERSTAND YOUR STUDENTS NEEDS:

Aside from the instrument, this is what each instrument needs:

-Flute -  Music Book, Flute Care kit, Portable Music Stand

-Clarinet - Music Book, Portable Music Stand, Reeds, Care kit is not required but highly recommended.

-Trumpet- Music Book, Portable Music Stand, Care kit 

-Alto saxophone- Music Book, Portable Music Stand, Reeds, Care kit 

-Percussion- Music Book, Portable Music Stand, Drum pad, Drum Stick, Drum pad stand

If you prefer to rent in person, we recommend: 

Park Avenue Music Center:      

1717 Park Avenue, San Jose, CA 95126     

(408) 279-5100 (call ahead as store hours vary)

-Please remember that this is a BAND CLASS, it is not private lessons. It is expected of the student to practice for 10-20 minutes 5-6 days a week for the first week. 20-30 minutes 5-6 days a week the second week and then 30 minutes 5-6 days the 3rd week. After that, students should practice for 30-40 minutes 3-4 days a week at home. If they do this, we can guarantee their success. If they don't, we can't. If a student only plays their instrument while with us at band, it will be very hard for them to make much progress on their instrument and they will quickly fall behind. Should you ever have any questions or concerns about your student's practicing, reach out to us right away and we will help you. 

- Flute (this is the hardest instrument to get started on, it is normal to struggle during the first 3 weeks, but we highly recommend that if a student is struggling after 4 weeks of band, they take 4 private lessons to lock in their embouchure and the mechanics of the instrument. (There is nothing saying that you can not do this right from the beginning.) Instructor recommendations available upon request—we do make house calls. 

- We will provide drum buckets to the Percussionists once they are ready to begin preparing for the concert which they will also use for the concerts. 

-If your student wants to switch instruments after the first couple sessions, that is fine with us and typically fine with the music store at no additional cost.