Hilliard Beginning Band Program!
Is your child interested in joining band next school year?
This is the place for you to get more information about joining band!
If you have questions or need information throughout this process, please e-mail:
diana_nicklas@hboe.org – Station
nicole_brocke@hboe.org – Tharp
The parent meetings and in-school fittings are over, but it is not too late! If your child missed the fittings and would like to play an instrument next year, reach out to the band teacher at your child’s sixth grade school above for help on what to do now.
Joining Band is Easy As 1, 2, 3! Please attend our parent informational meeting for your child’s sixth grade school for a guide through this easy 3-step process.
THARP BOUND
IN PERSON MEETING
- DATE: Monday, January 27, 2025
- TIME: 7PM
- LOCATION: Tharp Sixth Grade Building Gymnasium
Missed the meeting? CLICK HERE for a video of the meeting’s information.
STATION BOUND
LIVE WEBINAR MEETING
- DATE: Wednesday, February 5th – Rescheduled due to technical difficulties! Sorry!
- TIME: 6:30PM
- LINK TO LIVE WEBINAR: Click Here
Passcode: hstmusic25
Recorded meeting found at this link
STEP 1: FITTING (try out the instruments)
THARP BOUND
- DATES: February 3/4, 2025
- LOCATION: Tharp Sixth Grade Building
- TIME: 4-8PM
- Fittings are scheduled 15 minutes apart, but your fitting may take longer than 15 minutes. The average band fittings takes 20-30 minutes, but can take longer if your child wants to try several different instruments.
Click THARP FITTING to sign up for a fitting time
STATION BOUND
- DATES: February 10/11/13, 2025
- LOCATION: Station Sixth Grade Building (enter door A21)
- TIME: 4-8PM
- Fittings are scheduled 15 minutes apart, but your fitting may take longer than 15 minutes. The average band fittings takes 20-30 minutes, but can take longer if your child wants to try several different instruments
Click STATION FITTING to sign up for a fitting time.
In late February, the district will provide all families with a google form to complete for sixth grade registration. It will ask you about your child’s interest in all available elective options.
You will need to know your child’s chosen instrument at this time.
The Instruments
FLUTE – The flute is a woodwind instrument. It is the highest sounding instrument of the band and usually plays the melody.
Balance: A good sounding band has several flute players.
CLARINET – The clarinet is a woodwind instrument. It has a wide range (high and low sounds). It it the most important woodwind instrument in the band.
Balance: A good sounding band has MANY clarinet players.
ALTO SAXOPHONE – The saxophone a woodwind instrument. It has a lower sound and often plays the harmony parts. It is also the loudest sounding woodwind.
Balance: A good sounding band has some (but not a lot) saxophone players.
TRUMPET – The trumpet is a brass instrument. It is the highest sounding brass instrument and often plays the melody.
Balance: A good sounding band has MANY trumpet players.
FRENCH HORN – The french horn is a brass instrument. It is a challenging instrument to play and requires a good ear to play well. We encourage students who have a good ear, up for a challenge, and may be willing to take private lessons to play the french horn. This instrument will require a second fitting.
Balance: A good sounding band has a few horn players (5-6).
Student Characteristics: Good student in school, good ear for music (can sing on pitch), hardworking, patient
TROMBONE – The trombone is a brass instrument. It is the only instrument that has a slide instead of key/valves. It plays the bass line in the band
Balance: A good sounding band has LOTS of trombone players.
BARITONE – The baritone is a brass instrument. It is very similar in sound to the trombone, but uses valves instead of a slide. It is often considered to be a “mini tuba”.
Balance: A good sounding band has several baritone players.
TUBA – The tuba is a large baritone and is the lowest instrument of the band. A few select students will be invited to play tuba AFTER the year begins. If your child wants to play tuba, they should start on baritone.
PERCUSSION (Bells and Snare Pad) – The bells are a percussion instrument. They are similar to a xylophone and uses mallets to make the sound. The snare pad is a quieter option to learning the snare drum. Students who choose to play the percussion learn both bells and pad in 6th grade. During middle school, they will add other percussion instruments (i.e. bass drum, timpani, triangle, cymbals, etc). Therefore, percussionists eventually learn many instruments, not just one. This instrument will require a fitting in order to participate. Students that register for percussion but have not had a fitting will be removed from the list.
Balance: A good sounding band has several percussionists
Student Characteristics: Good coordination, good ear for rhythms (can repeat a rhythmic pattern), hardworking, independent
*Note: Drum set is NOT taught in band. It needs to be learned in private lessons. Students may have the opportunity to play drum set in high school jazz band.
QUESTIONS?
Nicole Brocke (Tharp) at Nicole_Brocke@hboe.org or 921-6900
Diana Nicklas (Station) at Diana_Nicklas@hboe.org or 921-6801
WHAT INSTRUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR MY CHILD TO PLAY IN SIXTH GRADE BAND?
Click on the button below to learn more about the band instrument options.
QUALITY INSTRUMENTS:
Not all instruments are created equal. Being a smart shopper will pay off in the long run for parents, but your child will notice an immediate difference during their new educational endeavor. When buying brand new instruments from online companies or local stores not specializing in music, you can run the risk of a “bad deal”. A “discount” price usually means cheaper parts that won’t hold up over time. Although companies are attempting to improve each year, we recommend purchasing/renting an instrument from the recommended brand list.
These brands have stood the test of time, continue to “perform” at a high level each year, and endure the normal wear and tear for many years. Local instrument rental companies are the best source for finding these instruments. Purchasing a “cheaper” instrument just to see if your child likes band may not offer the quality they need to identify their music skills. Beginning their musical education on a proper working and a well maintained instrument is essential to setting your child up for success in band.
WHERE SHOULD I GO TO GET MY INSTRUMENT?
In today’s market, there are many places to buy or rent an instrument for your young musician. We recommend shopping around for the best quality, price, and maintenance plan and to consider the future relationship with your instrument provider. Be wary of unfamiliar brands and drastically discounted items.
We strongly recommend purchasing/renting from a local instrument provider. The quality of each instrument rented/sold is guaranteed by the company and a future relationship for repairs, upgrades, accessory purchases, and guidance can be found no where else. Below are links to local music stores – feel free to browse their websites. See in the link to the left of this webpage for suggestions on questions to ask instrument providers as you are shopping.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What if I cannot attend the parent meeting? Can my child still participate in the band/strings program?
We already have a child who has come through the program. Do I still need to attend the meeting?
Not necessarily. There will be a recorded video of the meeting available a day after the scheduled meeting you want watch, if you choose. Be sure to sign up for a fitting and we can give you all materials and answer any questions you have at that time.
Yes. The Zoom Meeting recording will be posted on the home page. We encourage you to watch that video at your convenience. Remember to sign up for a fitting (see the “fitting’ link to the left), and contact Nicole Brocke (Tharp) or Diana Nicklas (Station) if you have any questions
We already have an instrument at home. Do we need to attend the parent meeting and/or sign up for a “fitting”?
YES! Because everyone is built differently, students will be more successful on some instruments than others. The fitting is designed for us to make sure their chosen instrument is a good “fit” for them. Feel free to bring the instrument along to the fitting and we can look it over to see what (if any) repairs need to be done before your child plays it in school.
We strongly encourage all parents to attend the meeting if possible to get all of the information about the Hilliard Band Program. We also encourage you to sign up for a “fitting”. You can use this time to make sure that your instrument is in good working condition and will be a good “fit” for your child. **ALL students registering for percussion MUST complete a fitting. Percussionists will be selected based on fitting success and behavior recommendations from previous teachers.
If my child does not take band in sixth grade, can he/she join band in seventh grade?
The beginning instrumental program is only offered in sixth grade. If a student wants to join in seventh grade or later during the sixth grade year, he/she will be required to take private lessons to catch up on the missed materials before joining the group.
The Instruments
FLUTE – The flute is a woodwind instrument. It is the highest sounding instrument of the band and usually plays the melody.
Balance: A good sounding band has several flute players.
CLARINET – The clarinet is a woodwind instrument. It has a wide range (high and low sounds). It it the most important woodwind instrument in the band.
Balance: A good sounding band has MANY clarinet players.
ALTO SAXOPHONE – The saxophone a woodwind instrument. It has a lower sound and often plays the harmony parts. It is also the loudest sounding woodwind.
Balance: A good sounding band has some (but not a lot) saxophone players.
TRUMPET – The trumpet is a brass instrument. It is the highest sounding brass instrument and often plays the melody.
Balance: A good sounding band has MANY trumpet players.
FRENCH HORN – The french horn is a brass instrument. It is a challenging instrument to play and requires a good ear to play well. We encourage students who have a good ear, up for a challenge, and may be willing to take private lessons to play the french horn. This instrument will require a second fitting.
Balance: A good sounding band has a few horn players (5-6).
Student Characteristics: Good student in school, good ear for music (can sing on pitch), hardworking, patient
TROMBONE – The trombone is a brass instrument. It is the only instrument that has a slide instead of key/valves. It plays the bass line in the band
Balance: A good sounding band has LOTS of trombone players.
BARITONE – The baritone is a brass instrument. It is very similar in sound to the trombone, but uses valves instead of a slide. It is often considered to be a “mini tuba”.
Balance: A good sounding band has several baritone players.
TUBA – The tuba is a large baritone and is the lowest instrument of the band. A few select students will be invited to play tuba AFTER the year begins. If your child wants to play tuba, they should start on baritone.
PERCUSSION (Bells and Snare Pad) – The bells are a percussion instrument. They are similar to a xylophone and uses mallets to make the sound. The snare pad is a quieter option to learning the snare drum. Students who choose to play the percussion learn both bells and pad in 6th grade. During middle school, they will add other percussion instruments (i.e. bass drum, timpani, triangle, cymbals, etc). Therefore, percussionists eventually learn many instruments, not just one. This instrument will require a fitting in order to participate. Students that register for percussion but have not had a fitting will be removed from the list.
Balance: A good sounding band has several percussionists
Student Characteristics: Good coordination, good ear for rhythms (can repeat a rhythmic pattern), hardworking, independent
*Note: Drum set is NOT taught in band. It needs to be learned in private lessons. Students may have the opportunity to play drum set in high school jazz band.
QUESTIONS?
Nicole Brocke (Tharp) at Nicole_Brocke@hboe.org or 921-6900
Diana Nicklas (Station) at Diana_Nicklas@hboe.org or 921-6801
Instruments Providers
Music and Arts
www.musicarts.com
Rettig Music
www.rettigmusic.com
- Rettig: Rent-to-Own Informational Video: https://bit.ly/38I08ic
- Rettig: Rent-to-Own Informational Website: www.rettigmusic.com/rentingmadeeasy
Buckeye Brass and Winds
www.buckeyebrassandwinds.com
Kincaid’s Music
www.kincaidsmusic.com
Obtaining an instrument from family and friends can be a very affordable way to find one. For those obtaining a pre-owned instrument, please have the instrument checked by a quality technician (allow several weeks just in case) to ensure proper working condition, especially if it has not been played in several years. Also, obtain the necessary supplies that are needed for your chosen instrument. Contact a local music store for repair information and supplies.
The Instruments
FLUTE – The flute is a woodwind instrument. It is the highest sounding instrument of the band and usually plays the melody.
Balance: A good sounding band has several flute players.
CLARINET – The clarinet is a woodwind instrument. It has a wide range (high and low sounds). It it the most important woodwind instrument in the band.
Balance: A good sounding band has MANY clarinet players.
ALTO SAXOPHONE – The saxophone a woodwind instrument. It has a lower sound and often plays the harmony parts. It is also the loudest sounding woodwind.
Balance: A good sounding band has some (but not a lot) saxophone players.
TRUMPET – The trumpet is a brass instrument. It is the highest sounding brass instrument and often plays the melody.
Balance: A good sounding band has MANY trumpet players.
FRENCH HORN – The french horn is a brass instrument. It is a challenging instrument to play and requires a good ear to play well. We encourage students who have a good ear, up for a challenge, and may be willing to take private lessons to play the french horn. This instrument will require a second fitting.
Balance: A good sounding band has a few horn players (5-6).
Student Characteristics: Good student in school, good ear for music (can sing on pitch), hardworking, patient
TROMBONE – The trombone is a brass instrument. It is the only instrument that has a slide instead of key/valves. It plays the bass line in the band
Balance: A good sounding band has LOTS of trombone players.
BARITONE – The baritone is a brass instrument. It is very similar in sound to the trombone, but uses valves instead of a slide. It is often considered to be a “mini tuba”.
Balance: A good sounding band has several baritone players.
TUBA – The tuba is a large baritone and is the lowest instrument of the band. A few select students will be invited to play tuba AFTER the year begins. If your child wants to play tuba, they should start on baritone.
PERCUSSION (Bells and Snare Pad) – The bells are a percussion instrument. They are similar to a xylophone and uses mallets to make the sound. The snare pad is a quieter option to learning the snare drum. Students who choose to play the percussion learn both bells and pad in 6th grade. During middle school, they will add other percussion instruments (i.e. bass drum, timpani, triangle, cymbals, etc). Therefore, percussionists eventually learn many instruments, not just one. This instrument will require a fitting in order to participate. Students that register for percussion but have not had a fitting will be removed from the list.
Balance: A good sounding band has several percussionists
Student Characteristics: Good coordination, good ear for rhythms (can repeat a rhythmic pattern), hardworking, independent
*Note: Drum set is NOT taught in band. It needs to be learned in private lessons. Students may have the opportunity to play drum set in high school jazz band.
QUESTIONS?
Nicole Brocke (Tharp) at Nicole_Brocke@hboe.org or 921-6900
Diana Nicklas (Station) at Diana_Nicklas@hboe.org or 921-6801
Questions To Ask Instrument Provider
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- What monthly rental options do you offer?
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- What accessories come with the monthly rental (i.e. book, music stand, reeds, valve oil, cleaning cloth/supplies)?
- How many months do I rent until it is paid off?
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- Can I pay it off early, and if so, is there a discount?
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- What is included in the maintenance plan while I am renting?
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- How long does it take for most repairs? Do you provide a loaner instrument while it is being repaired?
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- If I decide to switch instruments or trade in for an upgrade, what percentage of my payments will go toward the new instrument?
