Band Sign-Up Form CLICK HERE by Friday, September 24th
Dear parents/guardians, I am very excited to announce that we will be continuing our Coonley Band program this year in person! Please read this letter carefully, as there are many details regarding how the band program will work this year.
NEW BAND STUDENTS
All students in 5th, 6th, 7th, or 8th grade may join Beginning Band without any previous experience of playing an instrument! Beginning Band students will meet with their instrument group for sectionals during the school day once a week in the music room. Beginning Band will also meet once a week before school in the gym on Wednesdays from 7:45am-8:25am for full group rehearsals with all instruments. We will be following all CPS safety guidelines including all students wearing instrument specific band masks (these will be provided) and social distancing of 6 feet when possible while playing their instrument.
Since the band program brings students together from multiple classrooms, we highly recommend weekly Covid testing for all students participating. If you are interested in having your child participate in testing, please follow THIS LINK and complete the registration process. Please see Ms. Humphrey’s Week 1 Administrative Blast for more information about student testing.
If your child decides to join band, individual practice is also expected. Beginning to play an instrument is a challenging and exciting new experience that requires dedication, energy, and practice.
In joining band, your child has eight options of instruments to choose from:
Flute Clarinet Trumpet Percussion Saxophone Trombone Baritone French Horn
VIRTUAL PARENT INFO MEETING
All beginning students that sign up for band must attend the virtual parent info meeting with a parent/guardian on the evening of Monday, September 20th at 4:30pm at this GOOGLE MEET LINK. I will be going through the entire sign-up process, renting an instrument, and the schedule for the year. Normally, students would gather together and try various instruments to find one that best fits them. This year, I will be showing some video demonstrations of the instrument choices. Students and parents will then fill out a Google Form (this will be shared at the parent meeting) indicating what instrument your child has chosen to play and where they will be getting their instrument from. There is no audition to join band, so all students interested will participate.
RENTING AN INSTRUMENT
It is recommended that students rent or buy their instrument from a music instrument provider. Most of our students rent from Quinlan and Fabish (See link HERE to Q&F rental rates and HERE for the Q&F rental website). Quinlan and Fabish Music has a rent-to-own program which covers all repairs during the rental period (a representative from Q&F will be present on the GOOGLE MEET to answer questions). All instruments rented through Q&F will be delivered directly to the school and handed out during their first band lesson. Students may also use a family owned instrument or rent/buy an instrument from other instrument providers. (see link HERE to 3rd Party Rental Companies) Coonley School has a limited inventory of certain band instruments that may be utilized by students enrolled in the band. Available instruments will be limited and will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. Priority is given to returning band students.
RETURNING BAND STUDENTS
If your child was in Beginning Band last year, they are now a part of the Symphonic Band (2nd year band). Students that participated in the Symphonic Band last year will now be in the Concert Band (3rd/4th year band). Students that were in the Concert Band last year will remain in the Concert Band this year. If your child is interested in coming back to band after not participating last year, please reach out to Mr. W directly ([email protected]). All returning band students must indicate on the Band Sign Up Form whether they are renting from Coonley, Quinlan & Fabish, another 3rd party rental, or have a family owned instrument. You must also indicate where you are getting your band book from. Coonley has a limited supply of band instruments. Students who rented from Coonley last year will be able to continue renting from Coonley this year. (all fees/rules apply)
All returning band students and parents must attend a virtual parent info meeting on Tuesday, September 21st at 4:30pm at this GOOGLE MEET LINK. I will be going over the schedule and details of how this year will work at the meeting. Band rehearsals will be held in person, in the gym, and before school. We will be following all CPS safety guidelines including all students wearing instrument specific band masks (these will be provided) and social distancing of 6 feet when possible while playing their instrument.
Since the band program brings students together from multiple classrooms, we highly recommend weekly Covid testing for all students participating. If you are interested in having your child participate in testing, please follow THIS LINK and complete the registration process. Please see Ms. Humphrey’s Week 1 Administrative Blast for more information about student testing.
Symphonic Band will meet Tuesdays and Fridays from 7:45am-8:25am
First rehearsal for Symphonic Band will be Tuesday, October 5th
Concert Band will meet Mondays and Thursdays from 7:45am-8:25am
First rehearsal for Concert Band will be Monday, October 4th
Instruments and books are needed for the first rehearsal. If you will be renting your instrument/book from Coonley, materials will be given out at the first rehearsal. Stay tuned for more information about our Winter Band Concert! I’m very excited to get the band season started. Let’s get the band back together and keep the music going!
Musically,
Mr. Wrzesinski
ALL NEW and RETURNING Band students must fill out the Band Sign Up Form. by Friday, September 24th