Instrument Modeling

In the next few days, you will be registering for your classes at Farmington Junior High.  Now is your chance to become a member of one of the elite band programs in the country!  The Farmington Junior High Bands have distinguished themselves in all areas, recently being the only junior high band in the western United States to receive the prestigious Sudler Cup from the John Philip Sousa Foundation.  The band at FJH is also the largest, most successful, and most popular group of students. 

By signing up for Beginning Band, you will be learning to play an instrument, gain self-confidence, a strong work ethic, and make many new friends.  In addition, studies have proven that students who study a musical instrument excel in all areas of education.  You don’t need to decide what instrument you want to play right now, you just need to make the decision to play.  You don’t need any musical training of any kind to be in the Beginning Band, we start from square one. 

To choose the instrument you will play, we will meet with you and your parents on the date listed in the important dates tab. You do not need to make an appointment, just come on the day and time that is most convenient for you.  At that time, we will discuss which instrument that you will be most successful on.  Please come with two possible instrument choices in mind.  Items we discuss when picking an instrument include: your preference, physical features (body size, teeth shape, lip size, etc.), previous musical training, what instrument the band needs, and your academic record.  After this discussion we will decide on which instrument you will play.  Please see the reverse side of this page to learn more about the instruments you can choose from including some fact/fiction that you may not be aware of. 

Don’t miss this chance to learn a skill that you can literally continue throughout your entire life.  The Farmington Junior High Band program has enriched the lives of thousands of students, many of whom continue to enjoy performing on their instruments well beyond their educational careers.   

BAND MYTHS 

Reasons you or your parents come up with not to take band.  

1. Our family is not musical – FALSE!  Music is not genetic; you can be taught. 
2. You can’t do band and sports – FALSE!  We have football, basketball, hockey, volleyball, baseball, soccer, cheerleaders, lacrosse, and pretty much any other sport you can think of in the band.   
3. Band is expensive – FALSE!  Farmington would not have over one third of the school enrolled in band if it was expensive.  We will help you find an instrument you can afford. 
4. You never practiced piano; band won’t be any different – FALSE!  Piano is an individual instrument, practiced and performed alone.  Band is a group activity.  We practice in class every day and perform together.  You are on stage with 130 of your closest friends. 

Beginning Band Instruments 

Woodwinds: 

Flute – A very popular instrument that usually has a lot of players  

Oboe – The oboe is a double reed instrument that can be more challenging.  Typically, you only have a couple of oboes in a group.  Many times, students who play the oboe have had previous musical training on piano, but this is not a requirement. 

Clarinet – Clarinets are the violins of the band.  In other words, they are very important, and we need a lot of them.  Very few limitations on who can play the clarinet.  Farmington JH does not start any beginning saxophone players.  Any student who wishes to be considered to play the saxophone must start on the clarinet.  An audition on clarinet will happen in the second semester of the school year to choose who plays the saxophone. 

Bassoon – Much like the oboe the bassoon is a double reed instrument that is more challenging.  Only a couple of students begin on the bassoon.  

Brass:

Trumpet – Like the flute the trumpet is a very popular instrument.  We must be careful that we don’t have too many trumpet players, or our band will not be successful. 

French Horn – The horn might be the most beautiful wind instrument in the band.  It is a little more challenging and you must have a good ear.  If you can sing on pitch the horn might be for you. 

Trombone – The bone is a fantastic instrument that plays in virtually every ensemble imaginable.   

Baritone and Tuba – Farmington JH does not start beginners on these instruments.  Students who wish to play these instruments are encouraged to start on one of the other brass instruments.  We will then switch you over in the spring of your beginning year.   

Percussion – The percussion section is limited to 12 students.  Any student wanting to be considered for percussion must take the percussion evaluation exam on either of the instrument selection nights. (found in the important dates tab)

For more information go to: Be Part of the Band (bepartofthemusic.org)