Sparta Bands
Whitney Brainard and Jim Walsh--Directors
480 S. State St
Sparta, MI 49345
616-887-8211 ext. 2351
whitney.brainard@spartaschools.org
6th Grade Band Enrollment and Commitment Form
Dear 5th Grade Parents,
We are so happy to give your child the opportunity to be a part of the Sparta Middle School 6 th Grade Band! Students have
spent their day trying out instruments, and many are ready to make their decision. Band is a great educational opportunity
for ALL students! Numerous studies have proven that students involved in instrumental music programs score higher on
standardized tests, develop excellent work ethic, and are more adept at using higher levels of thinking. Just as important as
these findings, our band students have FUN learning a new skill and performing with their friends. This is just the beginning!
These are the expectations we have for students enrolling in 6 th Grade Band:
1. Students will rent or purchase an instrument as well as any accessories required to play their instrument.
The exceptions are the school provided instruments (French horn, Baritone, Tuba, and others on a case-by-case
need basis). These students will need to purchase mouthpieces and pay a very small one-time rental fee to cover
the maintenance of the instrument.
2. Students will purchase their own band method book (around $10).
3. Students will enroll in band for a full year. Drops only happen after each school year.
We truly believe that every child should have the opportunity to learn music. If finances are the only factor holding your
family back from enrolling your child in 6th Grade Band, we may be able to help! We do have a small supply of school
instruments available, reserved for those who are in need and are unable to provide an instrument otherwise. Please
contact us if this is the case—we want to help you!
On April 24th, we will be having a beginning band parent informational meeting at 7:00 PM in the Sparta Middle
School Band Room. There, we will be going over all of the information you will need to get your child off to a great start
next year in band. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions you might have about your child being in band, and we
will be covering several topics, such as how to get an instrument, what materials students will need, and how to hit the
ground running when we start in the fall. We will also be able to help families who choose to rent from a music store begin
the process of obtaining an instrument.
Please return this portion to your 5th Grade Teacher by April 24th to officially join us in band!
1. Full Student Name Printed: ____________________________________
2. 5th Grade Teacher: ___________________________________________
3. Recommended Instrument: ____________________________________ (if two are listed, please circle the one your
child has chosen).
My child has permission to enroll in the Sparta Middle School 6th Grade Band for the 2018-2019 school year. I
understand that this is a year-long class and my family will need to provide an instrument and supplies as
necessary.
Parent Name Printed: _________________________ Parent Contact (email or phone): _________________
Parent Signature: ____________________________ Date: ________________________
Beginning band frequently asked questions
Is band a regularly scheduled class or is it an after school activity? Band is a regularly scheduled class that meets
during the school day, every day of the week.
What are some of the costs involved? The primary expense in band is acquiring an instrument. Most students choose to
rent an instrument from one of the area music stores. These are “rent to own” plans, where a monthly payment is made
until your family owns the instrument. There are also a few school-owned instruments for student use (mostly horns,
baritones, and tubas). While every instrument may not available, and there is a small yearly fee to keep the instruments in
good playing condition, we will do everything we can to have all students play in band if they really want to. Students
also provide their own beginning band method book at a cost of approximately $9.00 (this is free/included for students who
are renting through Meyer Music). Some families might choose to use an instrument they already have at home or purchase
a used instrument, and this is fine too.
Is band a YEAR class or a semester class? Band is a year-long course. Students DO have the opportunity to take other
encore classes (art, gym, etc.) if they are in band!
How many performances do the sixth grade students have? Sixth Grade Band students perform in two concerts during
the school year, so there is minimal required time out of class.
Can a band student still participate in sports? Absolutely! We encourage students to be well rounded and physically
active. School and community sports activities are usually after school and do not interfere with band class--in fact, the
majority of our middle school band members are also athletes! We work together with the coaches to ensure that students
are always able to participate in both.
How is my child matched to an instrument? Selecting an instrument involves matching a student’s abilities to the
musical requirements of a particular instrument. Percussion instruments require a good sense of rhythm; brass instruments
require a good sense of pitch, etc. In addition, some instruments are better adapted to physical features such as the
structure of the mouth, the size of the fingers and length of arms, etc. We also try to maintain a balance of instruments. For
example, it would not be very educational to be in a large percussion section where students had to sit out because there
were more people than parts to play, or be in a section where the students were constantly being asked to play softer so
they wouldn’t cover up other instruments. Again our goal is to match the child to the instrument he or she will be most
successful playing and also enjoy learning. We will show your child all of their options in the coming weeks, and even give
them the chance to try their top choices!
If my child does not take band in sixth grade but would like to be in band in the seventh grade, is it possible? Sixth
grade is the only grade when beginning band is offered. A student wishing to enter band in the seventh grade must meet
that grade’s proficiency level. This can be accomplished with instruction from a private tutor and would require a great deal
of determination on the student’s part (and money for lessons on your part). If your child wants to learn an instrument,
however, NOW is the time to do it! This might be the only time in their life where they can receive free instruction as part
of the school’s curriculum.
Is it ok to purchase the cheapest instrument I can find? While everyone loves a good deal, we strongly discourage this.
These instruments typically do not meet the quality or durability necessary for a long-term successful musical experience. We
have also found that some of the brands of instruments offered on Ebay or some stores can be of an inferior quality even
though they are new or look nice. We recommend purchasing or renting a known brand instrument. If in doubt, check with
one of the directors. Our first priority is giving your student the best chance of success in band, and part of this success comes
from playing on a quality instrument. If you have any questions at all about whether an instrument will be suitable for band,
PLEASE contact us! We can definitely help you!
