Signing up for band is as easy as 1, 2, 3!
Here are the answers to some common questions:
When Does Band Meet? - Band at Frost is offered every day as a full period class that meets independently of other courses. Students are NOT "pulled out" of other classes to take band!
How Do I Sign Up? - When 6th grade students receive their course selection sheets at school they must check band as an elective.
What Band Do I Sign Up For? - There is a space on the sheet to indicate the instrument your child plays and the number of years spent on that instrument. All students are placed in a "holding tank" or one big band class. Mr. Kosko will visit the elementary schools in May to listen to each student perform a short audition. He will then place students in one of our 5 bands or percusiion class.
Can I join with no experience? - ABSOLUTELY!! The beginning band program is one of the most exciting classes in the band department. Students get to try out a wide variety of instruments, many provided by Frost for a nominal fee. Most all beginning band students are ready to move up to one of our more advanced bands by 2nd semester. Beginning Band students will have the opportunity to perform concerts and travel on our Spring trip.
I'm Not Very Good So I Shouldn't Sign Up, Right? - DON'T THINK THAT FOR A MINUTE!! With 5 levels of bands every student has a place to thrive. It's all about enjoying music that'f right for you. With band meeting everyday for 50 minutes you will notice yourself getting much better VERY quickly.
Do I Have To Practice At Home? - There is a practice requirement and it is there to help you become a better player and thus we all become a better band. You should practice 30 minutes a day for 5 days out of the week.
I Play Tuba. Do I Have To Carry My Instrument Back and Forth? - No!!! At Frost we have enough Tubas, Horns, Baritones and Bass Clarinets so that each child can have a "home" instrument and one for use in school. All you carry back and forth is your music and mouthpiece. Cool!!!
Students are placed in a band through an audition process usually held in May. All classes are ability based and every student has the opportunity to move into a more advanced ensemble throughout the year. The Guidance Department at Frost is very supportive of this policy and works tirelessly to make sure the band experience is the best it can be for your child.
Percussion Class - This class offers students with limited or no percussion experience a chance to explore all facets of the Concert Band percussion section. Students will learn to perform on Keyboard instruments, Snare, Timpani and all other instruments found in the Concert Band. This class performs at Solo & Ensemble Festival and travels with the other bands on our Spring trip. Students have the opportunity to join a full concert band depending up the need for percussionists in each band.
Beginning Band - Absolutely no music experience is necessary to join the band program at Frost. Beginning Band will provide students with the opportunity to explore a variety of instruments and to develop skills that will soon have them performing full concerts with bands of more experience. All students in the Beginning Band travel and perform with the full program on our annual Spring trip!
Concert I - This group will help develop the basic skills of those band students who are in need of some remedial training. This class is also a great time for students to try switching to an instrument that the band program needs such as French Horn, Oboe, Bassoon or Tuba, to name just a few. This band joins with Concert II after the 1st quarter and performs in 3-4 concerts throughout the year. This move does not involve a schedule change.
Concert II - This group is generally made up of students with one year of playing experience. Basic skills will be developed along with preparation of full band concert literature. Concert II will perform 3-4 concerts throughout the year and will travel and perform on our annual Spring trip.
Concert III - This band is comprised of students with one to two years of experience whose performance skills are somewhat stronger than students in Concert II. More challenging literature will be performed and students have the opportunity to audition for All-District Band. Concert III perform 3-4 concerts throughout the year and will travel and perform on our annual Spring trip.
Symphonic Band - This group represents the top performing ensemble in the band department. Students will prepare advanced band literature and will continue to develop musical and instrumental skills already well established. The Symphonic band performs 6-8 concerts throughout the school year and many students audition for All-District band and participate in Solo & Ensemble Festival. A good number of students in Symphonic Band take private lessons on their band instrument.
If you didn't sign up for band but would like to join you can always contact the guidance department and have your course selection sheet updated. You can also call Mr. Kosko at 703-426-5411 and he can help you get back in band.