Beckendorff Band

7th and 8th Grade

Most students have their first year of band in the 6th grade,

and move on to a performing band for 7th and 8th grade.

7th/8th grade students who do not have any instrumental experience are welcome. They will need to contact the band directors for instrument selection and more information about beginning band.

What are the benefits of being in band?Playing awesome music

Performances

Friendships

Social Events

Brain development

“Young Children who take music lessons show different brain development and improved memory over the course of a year, compared to children who do not receive musical training. Musically trained children performed better in a memory test that is correlated with general intelligence skills such as literacy, verbal memory, visuospatial processing, mathematics, and IQ.”

— Dr. Laurel Trainor, Prof. of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behavior at McMaster University, 2006

What are the benefits of being in band?“This is How Music Can Change Your Brain”

http://time.com/3634995/study-kids-engaged-music-class-for-benefits-northwestern/

Click on article to read

How is Performing Band different than Beginner Band?In Beginning Band we treat each beginning band class as a course on how to play the instrument.

In the performing bands, we focus on the group effort and team work involved in playing in a musical ensemble. Performing bands meet with all the instruments every day in class, unlike the beginning band who play in like-instrument classes and only get to play in a band a few times a year.

What is the time commitment outside of the school day for the performing bands?Each student comes to one after school rehearsal per week that is one hour long. During this time we work on developing individual instrumental skills in a small group setting that allows us to give each student individual attention. Additional full band rehearsals may be called during the spring semester, no more than one per week.

Will the after school rehearsals conflict with athletic practice?The coaches and directors at Beckendorff JH have a long history of working together to ensure that each child is able to develop their skills in both the athletics and fine arts arenas.

Students are excused from a portion of their athletic practice each week to come to their band sectional. If there is ever a conflict between practices, games, or concerts, the directors and coaches work together to ensure that students are able to participate in both activities.

How many performing bands are there for 7th and 8th graders?

Currently we have three performing bands that are grouped based on ability. All the bands have the same concepts and expectations and participate in the same kinds of activities, concerts, and contests.

How are the students assigned to the different bands?

At the end of their beginning band and 7th grade year, students will be assessed based on an audition process as well as the work ethic and attitude they have demonstrated throughout the school year. The directors then place the students in the group that best meets the student’s needs while keeping a standard instrumentation that allows the bands to perform successfully.

How do I know what to sign up for now if the auditions aren’t until the end of May?

Just sign up for “Band” as your first choice now; that is all that is necessary.

The only thing the band placement will affect is what class period you will come to band, it is not needed for choosing the course.

What kinds of things do the performing bands do?

Each band has the same concepts and expectations. We have several local performances each year, including a football game, pep rally, fall, winter, and spring concerts. In addition students participate in individual activities like solo and ensemble contest.

Where can I find more information about the Beckendorff Band?

Everything you ever wanted to know (and more!) about BDJH Band Policies and Procedures can be found in our band handbook.

Performing Band Handbook