Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is band?
A: Band is a performance based music organization that begins in 6th grade and continues through high school. Students who join band in 6th grade will be taught how to play an instrument in a class with other students learning the same instrument. As they progress through middle and high school, they will practice and perform with an ensemble, which is a large group of mixed instrumentation. Students perform several times a year and travel often. Students who remain in band through middle and high school will be offered many opportunities to travel, perform and compete. Think big! High school bands have traveled to places like Disney, New York and Hawaii.
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Q: What is the difference between band, orchestra, and choir?
A: In band we offer opportunities on all of the wind instruments and percussion. Orchestra focuses on string instruments and choir focuses on the voice.
Band is the only organization that performs at pep rallies, and later (in high school) football games and basketball games. Band also allows for opportunities to participate in marching band, drum line, and jazz band in high school.
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Q: Do I have to know anything about music to join Band?
A. No - Most of the students who join band have very limited (if any) musical experience or training.
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Q: What instruments can my child pick?
A: Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba and percussion. Percussionists must learn to play ALL of the following: Mallet Keyboard, Snare, Timpani, Bass Drum, Cymbals, and Accessories.
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Q: Which class teaches guitar or piano?
Currently no classes are offered for beginner guitar or piano. However, at time there are opportunities for students who already play those instruments to perform on a piece of music that calls for it. Our jazz band also is a great place for current guitar, piano and bass players!
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Q: Do some instruments have limited availability?
A: Yes. Due to limited inventory and space some instruments have limited availability. Those instruments include saxophone, oboe, bassoon, french horn, euphonium, tuba and percussion.
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Q. How do I pick an instrument?
A. Once you select band as your child's elective, you will set up an individual placement appointment with one of the band directors on our staff. They will have an opportunity to try out many different instruments and we will select the one best suited for them.
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Q. How does the director choose what instrument is best for my child?
A: We are looking at physical compatibility primarily. The more physically compatible your child is with their instrument, the more likely they are to enjoy it. We also take into consideration the instrument your child wants to play, but we do encourage them to try other instruments at their placement appointment as well.
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Q: How to we obtain an instrument?
A: Some instruments are provided by the school and others will be available via a rent-to-own or purchase program through a local music company. Most parents choose to rent an instrument, since it involves a series of no obligation, opt-out any time, low monthly payments that result in ownership of the instrument after the term. Specific rental information will be given to you at your child's instrument placement appointment.
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Q: Are used instruments acceptable?
A: Sometimes! If you plan to supply a used instrument, please allow us to evaluate it before you invest any money. In the event the instrument is unfit for your child, due to inferior quality, that instrument could potentially cost you more money in repair than it is worth.
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Q: What instruments does the school provide?
A: The school provides some of the larger and more expensive instruments: oboe, bassoon, french horn, euphonium and tuba. Those instruments are owned by Humble ISD and we rent them to families for a maintenance fee paid to Summer Creek Band Boosters/West Lake Middle School Band. The maintenance fee is $100 per semester.
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Q: What kind of financial obligation is required for band?
A: We have a band fee that is paid once per year that provides supplies and covers the cost of contest entry fees and transportation to and from certain events. The band fee varies for beginner band students and is determined by the instrument they select. If your child is renting an instrument from a local music company, you will pay the music company separately. If your child is renting from the school, you will provide a maintenance/cleaning fee of $100 a semester, which can be paid in increments.
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Q: Do you offer any financial assistance?
A: Yes we absolutely do. We do not want financial burden to be the reason a child cannot participate in band. Scholarship/financial assistance applications can be found in the drop-down menu titled "More".
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Q: Can my child participate in athletics, dance, or cheer while taking band?
A: YES! We actually encourage our band kids to participate in activities other than band. Lots of our band kids are also super star athletes, dancers, cheerleaders, club presidents, and more!
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Q: What kind of outside of school obligation does band require?
A: In beginner band, we require about 20 minutes of practice at home 5 days a week, to be determined at your family's convenience. We have four required performances per year - two in the Fall and two in the Spring/ Those dates are given in August, if not before. Beginners have only one required after school practice in the fall and one in the spring. Those dates are also given in August.
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Q: Does band assign homework?
A: Of course! The only way to get better is to work hard. Our expectation is that your child practices nightly and submits the required recordings when asked.
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Q: What if my child signs up and doesn't like it?
A: Band is a year long commitment. There are no guarantees in life, but I can almost guarantee that every student does through a phase of "not liking it" once the newness wears off. This would be the case for anything. This feeling usually passes in time and by the time the kids reach the end of the year, they are hooked.
We want to avoid the option to make impulsive decisions. For this reason, it is important for your and your child to understand that this commitment is for the full year.
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