Pleasanton Beginning Band
Frequently Asked Questions
Is any previous musical training necessary?
No. The method books used in beginning band are for students who have no musical experience. We teach the fundamentals of reading music as well as the fundamentals of playing an instrument.
Can my child participate in Band and Athletics at the same time?
YES! 6th grade pre-athletics does not have practices outside of the school day - Beginning Band only has 2 concerts outside of the school day. As students move into 7th and 8th grade, there could be conflicts in some situations, but the band directors and coaches work closely together to make sure that students are able to participate in all of their activities. A student is never penalized for missing band for athletics or for missing athletics for band. At both the junior high and the high school levels, we have students participating in every single sport offered (including cheerleading), as well as FFA and other clubs.
What instruments are started?
Beginners are started on Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone, Tuba, and Percussion. We will help students choose the best instrument for them in the beginning of the school year.
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When does the band class meet?
Beginning Band meets as a regular class for the entire school year. Students are split into smaller classes within their class period based on what instrument they play.
Are certain instruments for boys and others for girls?
Definitely not! Instrument choices are not based on a student's gender, but rather their desire to play that instrument. Instrument selection is based primarily upon the facial characteristics of the student, and most importantly, their personal choice.
Does the school provide instruments?
We ask that all students playing Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Trumpet, and Percussion rent or buy their own instruments. We recommend that students playing Tenor Saxophone and Trombone rent or buy their own instruments, but we do have some available for students. We provide all instruments for students playing Oboe, Bassoon, Bass Clarinet, Horn, Baritone, and Tuba. Students who are using a school-owned instrument are still responsible for purchasing their own mouthpiece, ligature and reeds (if applicable), and a cleaning kit.
How can I get an instrument?
The best option is to rent or purchase an instrument from High School Music Service in San Antonio. They have two stores in San Antonio and have a road representative who makes a trip to Pleasanton HS and JH once a week during the school year. They have many different options for each instrument, including both new and used instruments, and they only sell quality instruments that will last your child for years to come. Many of our high school students are still playing on the instrument they bought in 6th grade. If you are going to buy an instrument through any other means (Facebook Marketplace, Pawn Shop, eBay, another website), please contact a band director so that we can make sure you are getting a high quality instrument that will last.
When do students need instruments?
We will have a Band Drive put on by High School Music Service on an evening in the 2nd week of school (hopefully - many scheduled events are up in the air right now). We will start with instruments the at school the very next day! Teaching students how to properly put together the instrument without causing damage will take a couple of class periods, so we ask students to leave their instruments in their cubby in the band hall for the first week until we are sure they are ready to take it home.
Are students required to practice at home?
Learning an instrument is a brand new skill that develops slowly over time. The best way to support in-class learning is by practicing that material at home. We ask that students practice for a short amount of time every day to reinforce what they went over in class that day. If students cannot practice at home, the band hall is open most mornings before school so they can still get practice time in.
Does band ever meet outside of school hours?
In Beginning Band, there are 2 evening concerts - a Christmas Concert in December and a Spring Concert in May. These start at 6:30 PM and are usually on the first Thursday of their respective month. There is one contest that is usually in April, but it will happen during the school day.
In 7th and 8th grade band, students have 3 evening concerts - a Fall Concert in October, Christmas Concert in December, and Spring Concert in May. These start at 6:30 PM and are usually on Tuesdays. 7th and 8th graders also play at JH football games. 8th graders also have the option of marching in the Fiesta Flambeau parade with the High School band.
What opportunities through band are available to students past Beginning Band?
All students 7-12 can audition for ATSSB Region Band. This is a solo contest where they prepare material, play for judges, and can be selected to be in the Region Band. At the JH level, they get to participate in a concert with students their age from other area schools. At the HS level, they get to participate in a concert with students their age from other area schools and have the opportunity to advance to the Area level, and eventually the State level if they are chosen.
After Beginning Band, all participate in UIL Concert and Sight Reading Evaluation. This is a large group evaluation where the band prepare 3 concert pieces that they play for judges. They also sight read a piece of music they have never seen before. If they get Superior rankings (the best) from all of the judges, they will have earned a Sweepstakes award. The HS band has received Sweepstakes at UIL every year for over 15 years. The JH band has received Sweepstakes at UIL for most of those years as well.
High School students also participate in Marching Band. In the Fall, they learn how to march while playing their instruments and create the show that you see at halftime during football games. The Marching Band also plays at every football game, both home and away, including play off games. Lastly, the Marching Band participates in UIL Marching Contest, where their marching show is judged and ranked against area bands. This contest has the opportunity for band advancement to Area and State Marching Contests.
High School students can participate in the Pleasanton Jazz Band. It is the only band at Pleasanton that includes piano, guitar, and bass guitar. Many band students join the Jazz Band and play one of those instruments, or learn to play another (saxophone, trumpet, trombone, drumset) as a secondary instrument. This is a great opportunity for students who want more band classes during the day, want to learn a second instrument, or already play piano or guitar.
How can I contact the band directors?
Sarah Yarnell Herrington, JH Band Director - [email protected]
Jonah Bahta, JH Band Director - [email protected]
Eduardo Solis, HS Band Director - [email protected]
Beginning Band Instruments
Flute
The flute is the highest pitched instrument of the beginning band with a bright, clear sound. It is played by blowing air across an opening and moving fingers to change the pitch.
Physical Characteristics: slight "frown" to the upper lip with no tear drop shape in the middle, agile fingers, and no extreme overbite of the jaw
Oboe
The oboe is similar in appearance to a clarinet, but it is played using a double reed instead of a single reed to produce sound. Soloistic and melodious, the oboe is a unique member of the band and only a few students each year will be selected to play it.
Physical Characteristics: no extreme over or underbite, agile fingers
Bassoon
The bassoon is played with a double reed and is a larger, lower sounding instrument. With its dignified and majestic sound, the bassoon is also a unique member of the band with only a few special students selected to play it each year.
Physical Characteristics: a slight overbite, agile fingers, a medium to large hand span
Clarinet
The clarinet uses a single reed and a mouthpiece to produce its sound. With an extensive range, the rich and lustrous sound of the clarinet is very popular choice for band students.
Physical Characteristics: the ability to make a flat chin, no rounded lower teeth
Bass Clarinet
The bass clarinet is very similar to the clarinet, but is bigger and sounds lower. It is a good choice for students who are interested in the clarinet but like lower sounds.
Physical Characteristics: the ability to make a flat chin, a medium hand span
Alto Saxophone
Although it gives the impression of being a brass instrument, the saxophone belongs to the woodwind family and produces its smooth sound with the help of a single reed. The alto sax is the smaller and higher of the two saxophones we start in beginning band.
Physical Characteristics: the ability to sit up tall, agile fingers, a medium hand span
Tenor Saxophone
Although it gives the impression of being a brass instrument, the saxophone belongs to the woodwind family and produces its smooth sound with the help of a single reed. The tenor sax is the bigger and lower of the two saxophones we start in beginning band. Some students may have the opportunity to move to the even bigger and lower bari saxophone at the end of the year or the start of 7th grade. In the video below, bari sax is the biggest instrument to the far left, followed by the tenor sax.
Physical Characteristics: the ability to sit up tall, agile fingers, a medium to large hand span
Trumpet
The trumpet is the highest member of the brass family and produces a bright, clear sound. It is played by buzzing into a small mouthpiece and has three valves.
Physical Characteristics: thin and even lips, slight overbite is OK
Horn
The French horn is also a brass instrument that is played by the use of a small mouthpiece similar to the trumpet. Students with a good musical ear, such as students with previous musical experience, should consider playing the French horn.
The French horn is also a brass instrument that is played by the use of a small mouthpiece similar to the trumpet. Students with a good musical ear, such as students with previous musical experience, should consider playing the French horn.
Physical Characteristics: thin and even lips, slight overbite is okay, the ability to match pitch
Trombone
Like the French horn, trombone players need a good musical ear. Like the other brass instruments, sound is produced by buzzing into a mouthpiece; however, the trombone has a single long slide instead of valves. The slide is not marked with notches, so players must rely on their ears for correct positioning.
Physical Characteristics: slightly fuller lips, slight overbite is okay, the ability to match pitch
Baritone / Euphonium
The euphonium (you-PHONE-knee-yum) is sometimes known as the baritone. It is a member of the brass family and looks like a small version of a tuba. Its sound is similar to that of a trombone, but it uses valves like a trumpet instead of a slide (like trombone).
The euphonium (you-PHONE-knee-yum) is sometimes known as the baritone. It is a member of the brass family and looks like a small version of a tuba. Its sound is similar to that of a trombone, but it uses valves like a trumpet instead of a slide (like trombone).
Physical Characteristics: medium to full lips, slight overbite is ok, the ability to sit up straight
Tuba
The tuba is the most important instrument in the band. Being the lowest of all the wind instruments, it provides the foundation for the entire band sound. Beginners start on a 3/4 size tuba that is easy to handle.
Physical Characteristics: fuller lips, ability to sit up straight
Percussion
Percussionists learn to play a variety of instruments other than drums including mallet instruments, such as the xylophone and marimba, and accessory instruments, like the triangle and tambourine. While not a requirement, piano experience is particularly helpful to a percussionist as it will help with learning mallet instruments.
Physical Characteristics: coordination and high gross and fine motor skills, ability to stand up for an entire class period
Fill out the Beginning Band Interest Form located here! Even if you have already signed up for band, this will give us more information and allow us to contact you between now and the beginning of the school year.
Please feel free to email me at [email protected] if you have any questions!
Please fill out the Beginning Band Interest Form located here! Even if you have already signed up for band, this will give us more information and allow us to contact you between now and the beginning of the school year.