All 4th-Grade students are welcome to join Band. Previous experience is not required to join. 4th-Grade Band teaches students the fundamentals of instrumental playing and note reading which are transferrable to their 5th-Grade Band experience. Students meet once per week for 45 minutes, during the school day, in large, heterogeneous lesson groups generated by pairing of teacher classrooms. Students are asked to bring their instrument and Band materials (see VENDOR) on the given day they have lessons (shown below). In most cases, band begins the first week of school and continues through to the last week of school.
Alcott - Tuesdays at either 9:00 or 9:45
Thoreau - Thursdays at either 9:00 or 9:45
Willard - Wednesdays at either 9:00 or 9:45
*Please note: students do not miss instructional time for this activity. Rather, the students that do not leave class to learn an instrument simply participate in other activities at that time.
Students who do not elect to participate in the band program in fourth grade will need special permission to join the band at a later date, typically contingent upon pursuing additional lessons outside the school day to prepare (see IMSCC).
Instruments
Students have the opportunity to learn either Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium or Percussion (Mallets) in their first year - these choices will provide students with a foundation to move to other instruments, if desired, in the following year (see JOIN BAND).
Concerts and "Informances"
"Informances" are informational and informal performances (hence the term “informance”). In 4th-Grade Band, students participate in an "Informance" concert in the fall, and an Elementary All-Town Band Concert in the Spring (see CALENDAR).
Performance Attire
Students are encouraged to wear their CPS band apparel for their "Informance" and Spring Concert. “Concord Association of Music Parents” offer an opportunity for families to purchase “Concord Band” apparel from our online store at the beginning of every school year. Any student who is not able to, or chooses not to wear their CPS Band shirt can opt to wear any Concord spirit wear. Students may also choose to wear a plain shirt. The purchase of apparel is NOT required, but encouraged.
Schedule Conflicts
Scheduling conflicts can be difficult to navigate, especially for younger musicians. Concord Bands has a limited number of commitments outside the school day. Although we are similar to a sports team where we all rely on each other to be successful, we differ in that we do not have a bench to pull from and do not have a full season of performances.
We understand that an illness or family emergency may prevent a student from attending a rehearsal or performance. It is best that the lines of communication remain open between caretakers and the band directors so that conflicts and absences be handled in a way that is best for the student and the ensemble.
Please be proactive by placing the dates on the calendar on your family’s calendar and attending to any schedule conflicts well in advance.
Required Materials
Sound Innovations Online (FREE)
Sound Innovations is the method book Concord Band students use for learning (see VENDOR). Sound Innovations Online is a great free resource for our students. Access all of the streaming MasterClass videos and accompaniment tracks for Sound Innovations, as well as supplemental worksheets such as theory, chorales, and music history. All completely free. No login required. Simply type in the product number—no need to create an account. SI Online works on all devices with internet access!
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Watch the Access SI Online for Sound Innovations video to learn what a great resource this is and how to utilize its online content!
Click to access Sound Innovations Online
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Bandmate Chromatic Tuner (FREE)
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We LOVE this tuner! You can download the app on any IOS device, or use the web-based version on any other device.
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Click to access Bandmate Chromatic Tuner
