Grade 5 Band
Grade 5 Cadet Band
We are excited about you learning a band instrument! We know that you have lots of questions about starting band, and have answered some basics in this online version of the handbook. You can also visit us at Skokie, and as always, feel free to contact us by telephone or e-mail telephone or e-mail.
Cadet Band is open to all Grade 5 students at The Skokie School!
We all meet in small lesson groups, one time a week. For half an hour, we learn to play and read music.
Each group works as a team to help each other try new sounds. We write down our next week's assignments in our assignment book, and get our parents to listen to the assignment at least once before we go to our next lesson.
After we can play some notes, we meet together as a larger group once a week. That way we play two times; once in a lesson, and once in the whole band.
We play two concerts a year, where we dress in concert dress and play music for an audience.
Most of the time, we spend as much time as possible making strange noises, bothering our sisters and brothers, and making our family pets hide under the table!
When do I start lessons?
Group Lessons start within the first three weeks of school each September! Cadet Band meetings before school begin in mid to late October. The calendar here can give you specific dates.
All 5th grade band students have both group lessons and Cadet Band rehearsals. Lessons are set up in small groups with other people playing the same instrument, and meet during the regular school day. We will give you a lesson schedule during the first few weeks of school, after we have talked to you and made sure that you have an instrument and are ready to go! Cadet Band meets before school (7:30 am - 8:15 am) on either Tuesday or Thursday; don't worry too much about it yet, though, because we want you to have some lessons before everyone gets together as a band. Cadet Band will start after a few weeks, and we will give you a rehearsal schedule then.
When is my weekly lesson?
To find your lesson time, take your lesson assignment (like "Tuesday A"), open up the schedule, and cross-reference your lesson group with a date. For example, to find "Cadet A" for September 13th, make sure you are on the Tuesday schedule page. Look for the row across the top that says "September 13th", and then follow the column down until you find the row matching "Group A". Voila - you have a 9:30am lesson!
| Tuesday Cadet Band Group Lessons, 2011-2012 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Please remember your Assignment Book, Pencil, Music, and Instrument! | |||||||||
| Tuesday | Sept 13 | Sept 20 | Sept 27 | Oct 4 | Oct 11 | Oct 18 | Oct 25 | Nov 1 | Nov 8 |
| 9:30 | A | G | F | E | D | C | B | A | G |
| 10:00 | B | A | G | F | E | D | C | B | A |
| 10:30 | C | B | A | G | F | E | D | C | B |
| 12:30 | D | C | B | A | G | F | E | D | C |
| 1:00 | E | D | C | B | A | G | F | E | D |
| 1:30 | F | E | D | C | B | A | G | F | E |
| 2:00 | G | F | E | D | C | B | A | G | F |
| Tuesday | Nov 15 | Nov 22 | Nov 29 | Dec 6 | Dec 13 | Jan 3 | Jan 10 | Jan 17 | Jan 24 |
| 9:30 | F | E | D | C | ? | B | A | G | F |
| 10:00 | G | F | E | D | ? | C | B | A | G |
| 10:30 | A | G | F | E | ? | D | C | B | A |
| 12:30 | B | A | G | F | ? | E | D | C | B |
| 1:00 | C | B | A | G | ? | F | E | D | C |
| 1:30 | D | C | B | A | ? | G | F | E | D |
| 2:00 | E | D | C | B | ? | A | G | F | E |
| Tuesday | Jan 31 | Feb 7 | Feb 14 | Feb 21 | Feb 28 | Mar 6 | Mar 13 | Mar 20 | Mar 27 |
| 9:30 | E | D | C | B | A | G* | F | E | x |
| 10:00 | F | E | D | C | B | A* | G | F | x |
| 10:30 | G | F | E | D | C | B* | A | G | x |
| 12:30 | A | G | F | E | D | C* | B | A | x |
| 1:00 | B | A | G | F | E | D* | C | B | x |
| 1:30 | C | B | A | G | F | E* | D | C | x |
| 2:00 | D | C | B | A | G | F* | E | D | x |
| Tuesday | Apr 3 | Apr 10 | Apr 17 | Apr 24 | May 1 | May 8 | May 15 | ||
| 9:30 | D | C | B | A | G | F | E | ||
| 10:00 | E | D | C | B | A | G | F | ||
| 10:30 | F | E | D | C | B | A | G | ||
| 12:30 | G | F | E | D | C | B | A | ||
| 1:00 | A | G | F | E | D | C | B | ||
| 1:30 | B | A | G | F | E | D | C | ||
| 2:00 | C | B | A | G | F | E | D | ||
| Students are assigned to a group (A, B, etc.) and follow this grid for their lesson times. * = ISAT Testing; please check for a schedule change on that date. ? = combined sectional, more information to follow. |
|||||||||
Tuesday Cadet Band Group Lessons, 2011-2012 (PDF)
| Wednesday Cadet Band Group Lessons, 2011-2012 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Please remember your Assignment Book, Pencil, Music, and Instrument! | |||||||||
| Wednesday | Sept 14 | Sept 21 | Sept 28 | Oct 5 | Oct 12 | Oct 19 | Oct 26 | Nov 2 | Nov 9 |
| 10:00 | H | N | M | L | K | J | I | H | N |
| 10:30 | I | H | N | M | L | K | J | I | H |
| 12:30 | J | I | H | N | M | L | K | J | I |
| 1:00 | K | J | I | H | N | M | L | K | J |
| 1:30 | L | K | J | I | H | N | M | L | K |
| 2:00 | M | L | K | J | I | H | N | M | L |
| 2:30 | N | M | L | K | J | I | H | N | M |
| Wednesday | Nov 16 | Nov 23 | Nov 30 | Dec 7 | Dec 14 | Jan 4 | Jan 11 | Jan 18 | Jan 25 |
| 10:00 | M | x | L | K | x | J | I | H | N |
| 10:30 | N | x | M | L | x | K | J | I | H |
| 12:30 | H | x | N | M | x | L | K | J | I |
| 1:00 | I | x | H | N | x | M | L | K | J |
| 1:30 | J | x | I | H | x | N | M | L | K |
| 2:00 | K | x | J | I | x | H | N | M | L |
| 2:30 | L | x | K | J | x | I | H | N | M |
| Wednesday | Feb 1 | Feb 8 | Feb 15 | Feb 22 | Feb 29 | Mar 7 | Mar 14 | Mar 21 | Mar 28 |
| 10:00 | M | L | K | x | J | I* | H | ? | x |
| 10:30 | N | M | L | x | K | J* | I | ? | x |
| 12:30 | H | N | M | x | L | K* | J | ? | x |
| 1:00 | I | H | N | x | M | L* | K | ? | x |
| 1:30 | J | I | H | x | N | M* | L | ? | x |
| 2:00 | K | J | I | x | H | N* | M | ? | x |
| 2:30 | L | K | J | x | I | H* | N | ? | x |
| Wednesday | Apr 4 | Apr 11 | Apr 18 | Apr 25 | May 2 | May 9 | May 16 | ||
| 10:00 | N | M | L | K | J | I | H | ||
| 10:30 | H | N | M | L | K | J | I | ||
| 12:30 | I | H | N | M | L | K | J | ||
| 1:00 | J | I | H | N | M | L | K | ||
| 1:30 | K | J | I | H | N | M | L | ||
| 2:00 | L | K | J | I | H | N | M | ||
| 2:30 | M | L | K | J | I | H | N | ||
| Students are assigned to a group (H, I, etc.) and follow this grid for their lesson times. * = ISAT Testing; please check for a schedule change on that date. ? = combined sectional, more information to follow. |
|||||||||
Wednesday Cadet Band Group Lessons, 2011-2012 (PDF)
| Thursday Cadet Band Group Lessons, 2011-2012 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Please remember your Assignment Book, Pencil, Music, and Instrument! | |||||||||
| Thursday | Sept 15 | Sept 22 | Sept 29 | Oct 6 | Oct 13 | Oct 20 | Oct 27 | Nov 3 | Nov 10 |
| 9:30 | O | U | T | S | R | Q | P | O | U |
| 10:00 | P | O | U | T | S | R | Q | P | O |
| 10:30 | Q | P | O | U | T | S | R | Q | P |
| 12:30 | R | Q | P | O | U | T | S | R | Q |
| 1:00 | S | R | Q | P | O | U | T | S | R |
| 1:30 | T | S | R | Q | P | O | U | T | S |
| 2:00 | U | T | S | R | Q | P | O | U | T |
| Thursday | Nov 17 | Nov 24 | Dec 1 | Dec 8 | Dec 15 | Jan 5 | Jan 12 | Jan 19 | Jan 26 |
| 9:30 | T | S | R | Q | ? | P | O | U | T |
| 10:00 | U | T | S | R | ? | Q | P | O | U |
| 10:30 | O | U | T | S | ? | R | Q | P | O |
| 12:30 | P | O | U | T | ? | S | R | Q | P |
| 1:00 | Q | P | O | U | ? | T | S | R | Q |
| 1:30 | R | Q | P | O | ? | U | T | S | R |
| 2:00 | S | R | Q | P | ? | O | U | T | S |
| Thursday | Feb 2 | Feb 9 | Feb 16 | Feb 23 | Mar 1 | Mar 8 | Mar 15 | Mar 22 | Mar 29 |
| 9:30 | S | R | Q | P | O | U* | T | S | x |
| 10:00 | T | S | R | Q | P | O* | U | T | x |
| 10:30 | U | T | S | R | Q | P* | O | U | x |
| 12:30 | O | U | T | S | R | Q* | P | O | x |
| 1:00 | P | O | U | T | S | R* | Q | P | x |
| 1:30 | Q | P | O | U | T | S* | R | Q | x |
| 2:00 | R | Q | P | O | U | T* | S | R | x |
| Thursday | Apr 5 | Apr 12 | Apr 19 | Apr 26 | May 3 | May 10 | May 17 | ||
| 9:30 | R | Q | P | O | U | T | S | ||
| 10:00 | S | R | Q | P | O | U | T | ||
| 10:30 | T | S | R | Q | P | O | U | ||
| 12:30 | U | T | S | R | Q | P | O | ||
| 1:00 | O | U | T | S | R | Q | P | ||
| 1:30 | P | O | U | T | S | R | Q | ||
| 2:00 | Q | P | O | U | T | S | R | ||
| Students are assigned to a group (O, P, etc.) and follow this grid for their lesson times. * = ISAT Testing; please check for a schedule change on that date. ? = combined sectional, more information to follow. |
|||||||||
Thursday Cadet Band Group Lessons, 2011-2012 (PDF)
Where are lessons held?
All group lessons and band rehearsals for 5th grade Cadet Band members will take place at Skokie School in the Skokie School Band Room.
How do I get an instrument to play?
Rentals and Purchases
If you have not met with Mr. Vowles or Mr. Rzeszutko to see what instrument you want to play, please contact them now! We have all sorts of information on what instruments to play, where they are available, and how you can get them. Students are expected to provide their own instruments. Percussionists must provide their own sticks, mallets, and stick bags. It is extremely important that all of our students play on quality instruments in order to ensure the highest degree of success as performers. Many of our students rent from Quinlan and Fabish Music Company, www.qandf.com. Before you buy or rent an instrument, please call us. We would be happy to suggest a reputable retailer. In the case of larger instruments (tuba, percussion, baritone sax, baritone, tenor sax, bass clarinet, etc.) the district can provide these for the student at a cost of $125.00 for the school year. Rental forms will be provided; please contact Mr. Rzeszutko or Mr. Vowles for more information.
PLEASE DO NOT ORDER YOUR INSTRUMENT ONLINE OR FROM A MEMBERSHIP WAREHOUSE WITHOUT SPEAKING TO US FIRST!!!
What else do I need to have to participate?
CADET BAND
- Pencil
- Student instrument
- Ensemble music and folder
- Tradition of Excellence Band, Book 1 for your instrument
The "Tradition of Excellence" books are usually ordered with your rental instrument; if you are playing one you have purchased or been given, please place an order for this book.
LION JAZZ ENSEMBLE
- Pencil
- Student instrument
- Ensemble music and folder
ALL ENSEMBLES
- Woodwinds: Three good reeds, cork grease, and a cleaning swab.
- Brass: Slide grease and valve oil
- Percussion: Drum sticks, mallets, stick bag, and a drum pad and mallet kit for home practice.
Supplies like reeds and oils are available at Washburne and Skokie at a very discounted rate.
When does Band meet?
Group Lessons
All 5th grade band students have both group lessons and Cadet Band rehearsals. Lessons are set up in small groups with other people playing the same instrument, and meet during the regular school day. We will give you a lesson schedule during the first few weeks of school, after we have talked to you and made sure that you have an instrument and are ready to go! Cadet Band meets before school (7:30 am - 8:15 am) on either Tuesday or Thursday; Cadet Band will start after a few weeks, and we will give you a rehearsal schedule then. Schedules are also posted in each classroom, the Band Room, and outside the Band Room.
What do I do if I am sick and can't go to a rehearsal?
Attendance
TO PERFORM AT A HIGH LEVEL WE NEED ALL OF YOU PRESENT-ALL OF THE TIME!
Rehearsal time is very important to the success of the band. We need to make full use of every minute! No one should be absent from band unless they are absent from school. If you are sick, please have one of your parents send us a note, give us a call, or e-mail us.
Please arrange for help sessions, etc. at times when we do not have band rehearsal or group lessons!
If missed rehearsals become a problem we will call home to discuss the situation. Excess absence may result in suspension from future performances (you not getting to play in a concert).
When are the CONCERTS?
Concerts are GREAT - they are lots of fun to play, and give your folks a chance to see what all that practicing is for! We have two concerts:
The PREMIER CONCERT is January 19, 2012 at 7:30 pm at Skokie School.
The SPRING CONCERT is May 10, 2012 at 7:30 pm at Skokie School.
There are lots of other things going on with other ensembles - for a complete calendar, look online here.
What do I need to wear at a concert?
Concert Dress
The following list is considered the uniform for ALL CONCERTS and ALL ENSEMBLES:
- White Shirt/Blouse
- Black Pants/Skirt
- Black Socks
- Black Dress Shoes (NO GYM SHOES OF ANY KIND)
- Long Neck Ties (boys)
Attending a concert in inappropriate attire may result in the student not being allowed to perform with the group.
What about private lessons?
Private lessons are not required by the District; however they are strongly recommended and do provide students with invaluable one-to-one instruction. Currently, more than 50% of Washburne/Skokie students study privately. With the help of private lessons students will be able to increase their technique and appreciation of music. They will also improve the performance of the group through their individual efforts.
The District has a list of recommended instructors - just see us!
Are there other things I can do playing my instrument?
Jazz Bands
Right now, you are just starting out, and you need to learn a lot about your instrument. Later on, you can play in lots of different ensembles, or even make up your own with some friends! If you have been playing your instrument for awhile, anyone playing saxophone, trumpet, trombone, electric or string bass, piano, guitar, mallets, or drum set may audition for the LION JAZZ BAND. You should probably have been playing your instrument outside of school for a year or so before auditioning.
