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This page is intended for students and parents who will be entering the Kealing Beginning Band program in the fall of 2010.
New Beginners' Frequently-Asked Questions
1. My child has no musical background. Can s/he be in Band? Yes. We teach all the basic aspects of playing a musical instrument and reading music notation.
2. Can a child be "musical" if the parents are not? No one can predict whether your child will become a musical person. Success in band is determined by a number of factors, the most important of which are regular practicing and desire.
3. Can a student participate in band and in sports? We make every effort to avoid conflicts in scheduling. The administration, coaches and band directors at Kealing Middle School understand the importance of sharing time so that students may experience excellence in more than one area.
4. How do I sign up for band? Check "Band" as one of your elective options on your sixth grade choice sheet. It is also important to make an appointment with the directors during the Beginning Band Instrument Drive. They will consider the student's preferences, musical aptitude and physical characteristics before recommending the most appropriate instrument.
5. How often does band meet? Band meets every day during school time. Extra after-school rehearsals may be announced prior to major public performances.
6. How many performances are required? There were only three required performances during the 2008-2009 school year, in October, December and May. We also try to schedule an off-campus performance at a spring band festival. For an overview of a typical Band year, see the public calendar at the Charms Music website:
Once you get there, type "kealingmsband" in the box marked "parent code".
7. What about at-home practice time? For normal progress, a student should devote a minimum of 25 minutes per day at least 5 out of 7 days per week. Parents are asked to sign their band student's weekly practice report, which must be turned in on time to receive full credit. To learn more about the importance of practicing, go to "Principles of Practicing".
8. What instruments are appropriate for beginners? We teach beginning classes in flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, baritone, tuba and percussion. Common instruments are grouped together in separate classes.
9. How do I get an instrument? Look in the Yellow Pages under musical instrument dealers. They can provide quality instruments under a rent-to-own agreement. Insurance against theft and damage is usually included in the monthly premium.
10. May I purchase a used instrument? Yes, but it must be in good condition. Get advice from a musical instrument service technician, a professional player or a band instructor before spending good money on an inferior instrument.
11. Are school-owned instruments available? Yes. The school can provide french horns, baritones and tubas for beginners. The student is expected to provide his/her own mouthpiece and maintenance supplies. Parents are encouraged to provide insurance against theft and damage. Damage to school-owned instruments caused by carelessness or negligence is the responsibility of the student and his parent. It is our official policy that limited family income shall not prevent any student from enrolling and participating in Beginning Band at Kealing Middle School.
12. Are private lessons available? We can set up private lessons on nearly every instrument with qualified instructors during class time or after school. For more information, go to "Private Lessons".
13. 13. When we have settled on the right instrument, what extras do we need? Supplies or accessories may vary for different instruments. The directors will keep everyone informed.
14. What can I do, as a parent, to help my child succeed? Click here for some practical suggestions.
15. Is musical instrument insurance available? Most commercial music dealers will offer insurance with their rent-to-own contracts. This insurance may cover loss, theft and accidental damage in addition to routine repairs. Ask the dealer for details. If you own the instrument, consult your homeowner's or renter's insurance policy to see if musical instruments are covered. Some may require a detailed description, including serial number and a purchase receipt or appraisal voucher. We know of one Texas-based insurance vendor that specializes in musical instrument insurance. You can even sign up online. For more information, contact:
Music Agency, Inc., P.O Box 868, Arlington, TX 76004-0868, 1-800-421-1283 http://www.musicagencyinc.com
Questions? Need more advice? Call the Band Office, 414-2702
or e-mail: mgurgel@austinisd.org
Download a map to Kealing Middle School.
Download a map of the Kealing Middle School campus.
The Novice’s Guide to Obtaining a Good Band Instrument
For new rental instruments:
1. The quality of the instrument has a huge impact on the ease of playing and therefore on the student’s success and enjoyment. You get what you pay for. Most good-quality instruments will cost a minimum of $600-$900 to purchase. Beware of new instruments that cost less.
2. Deal with a retailer who has a full-time, fully-stocked repair shop with a qualified repair technician on site.
3. “ Buy it cheap – buy it twice”. Repairs and adjustments to inferior instruments can run the cost up to an amount that could have been spent on a high-quality instrument in the first place.
4. Deal with a retailer whose primary business is musical instruments. They put their reputation on the line with each instrument they sell or rent. The same can be said of instrument repair people.
5. Ask the retailer if their rental contract includes routine maintenance and insurance on the instrument you are renting.
For used instruments:
1. Have the instrument evaluated by a reputable repair technician to determine if it is a good value. Ask them for a $ estimate to put the instrument in good playing condition.
2. Invest in a quality mouthpiece (see supply list for your instrument).
3. Investigate “rental return” instruments through the music stores. These will be certified playable by the repair technician and can be rented for less than new instruments.
For a good start, it is important to make the right choice.
The directors will help guide the selection through an interview process that involves observing the student making sounds on various mouthpieces and asking questions about prior musical training, all the while keeping in mind the student's preferences. If a student is attracted to a particular instrument, we try to go along with that desire, unless there is strong evidence against it. In that case we will encourage the student to try something more suitable.
New Beginners may choose from the woodwind family of instruments, which includes:
Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone
or they may choose from the brass family of instruments:
Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone, Tuba
or they may choose:
Percussion (Please read "Wanna Play Drums???")
We encourage parents of New Beginners to become familiar with the guidelines for selecting the proper instrument by reading carefully our Band Instrument Selection Guide. Feel free to print it and bring it with you to the interview.