Band Classroom – Immaculate Conception Regional School

ICRS Band

Ms. Kitty O’Neill

Band Program Overview

The band program at ICRS begins in 5th grade and continues through 8th grade. All 5th grade students are enrolled in Beginning Band. The focus of this introductory year is on developing tone, rhythm, and notation reading. Class meets on Monday and Wednesday from 1:30-2:15. Concert Band is offered to 6th-8th grade students as an elective. Students may choose to take concert band class through their middle school years. The Concert Band class meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 2:15-3:00.

Concert Band

Concert Band is offered on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 2:15-3:00. It is available to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students as an elective. Students in Concert Band have opportunities to play for special events in the community.

Musicians in Concert Band are expected to provide their own instruments. School-owned instruments are available to beginning band students first. If there are left over instruments, concert band students may rent for the current rate of $50 per trimester or $150 for the full year.

Alternatively, a musician looking to rent or own an instrument should consider these stores that offer high quality instruments:
– Bellingham Wind Works – 2405 Meridian St, Bellingham, WA 98225
– Hugo Helmer Music – 1025 S Goldenrod Rd, Burlington, WA 98233

Renting or purchasing through one of these stores will ensure that your student has a high-quality instrument to use. Please avoid purchasing instruments from Costco or Amazon. Though inexpensive, the instruments usually do not hold up, require more effort to play, and do not offer a good performing experience.

In addition to an instrument, Students will also need the following accessories to ensure proper instrument hygiene:
– Flute: Cleaning cloth to keep your instrument clean and dry
– Clarinet and Saxophone: Cleaning cloth, Reeds (2 ½ size), and a reed saver sleeve. Sometimes reeds will come with a reed saver. Having multiple reeds on hand can be very helpful.
– Brass: Valve oil – petroleum or synthetic, and a cleaning snake
– Percussion: a set of concert snare sticks. Be sure that the sticks are labeled with the student’s name and grade

Each student will need a copy of “I Recommend” by James D. Ployhar for their instrument. This is the main exercise book we will be using. This book can be purchased at the locations above (Hugo Helmer and Bellingham Wind Works) or on Amazon.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me through the school phone, or email koneill@icrsweb.org. Thank you, and I look forward to working with you all to make this a great school year!

Kitty O’Neill

Beginning Band

Beginning band meets on Monday and Wednesday from 1:30-2:15. All 5th grade students have the opportunity to learn a band instrument for the entirety of the school year. That being said, they should take careful consideration when choosing an instrument. Like any skill, this takes persistence, practice, and patience. Learning an instrument may not come easy to everyone at first, but it is a rewarding experience that 5th grade students at ICRS all have the opportunity to take part in.

During the first week of school, 5th grade students will be selecting which instrument to play. They will choose between flute, clarinet, trumpet, and trombone as these instruments teach skills that easily transfer to other instruments. More instrument options will be added as we learn our fundamentals. If your student would prefer to start on a different instrument, please contact me.

Each student will need an instrument that they can use during the school year at home and school. Instruments may be rented through ICRS for $50 per trimester or $150 for the whole school year. Other rental options include:
– Bellingham Wind Works – 2405 Meridian St, Bellingham, WA 98225
– Hugo Helmer Music – 1025 S Goldenrod Rd, Burlington, WA 98233
Renting from Wind Works or Hugo Helmer will ensure your student plays on an instrument of high quality. Please avoid purchasing instruments from Costco or Amazon. Though inexpensive, the instruments usually do not hold up, require more effort to play, and do not offer a good performing experience.

Students will need a workbook. We will learn using “Essential Elements 2000” for whichever instrument your student chooses to play. The book can be purchased through Amazon, or the shops listed above. Students will be expected to practice the skills they learn in class at home for 30 minutes per week – at least. Class time is for learning new skills. Students master those skills through repetition. In order for them to be successful in this, they should have a music stand. A folding wire stand will work.