Welcome to the Dan F. Long Middle School Beginning
Band! The band is the largest organization at Dan F. Long with a
long tradition of excellence. This excellence continues to Newman
Smith and Creekview High Schools. This web page/packet contains information passed-out at the
beginner meeting THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2008.
The purpose of this meeting is to:
-
confirm your child's instrument choice,
-
discuss methods of obtaining the instrument, and to
-
complete an information form.
PLEASE read the following pages of information before talking to one of the band directors.
Schools feeding into Dan F. Long Middle School are:
-
Furneaux Elementary
-
Sheffield Intermediate
-
Thompson Elementary
Dan F. Long Band Directors John Black, Belinda Parks as well as others who teach in the Newman Smith HS and Creekview HS area will be available to lead you through the evaluation process. All percussion students must be approved by Mr. Rob Parks. We will be happy to answer questions you may have regarding the band program in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD.
Please do
not buy anything until
both parent(s) and student have met with a band director.
Frequently Asked Questions about Beginning Band
Before talking to one of the band directors, here are the answers to frequently asked questions about beginning band:
- My child has no music background. Can he be in band? Yes. We teach the basic aspects of playing a musical instrument and continue this teaching process through high school.
- How often does band meet? Band meets every day during school time.
- What is my schedule? Classes meet every day. Common instruments are grouped together. This class counts as one of your three electives.
- Can I take Band and Choir? Yes.
- Can my child participate in Athletics and Band? Yes. The administration, coaches and band directors work to avoid conflicts so those students who wish to participate in both may do so.
- How do I sign-up for band? Mark band as one of your
elective options on your sixth grade registration form. We will
hold a "Come & Go" Meeting on Thursday, May 1 (5-9pm) to tryout
mouthpieces and answer questions. If you decide to not
participate in band, your schedule can be changed to another elective.
- How many performances are required outside of school time? Three: one in October, December, and May. These are graded and considered an extension of the classroom. The 2008-09 dates will be scheduled on the school calendar by June 1, 2008.
- Are there other performances? Yes, there are two activities. The first is a Concert Contest for the full band at Sandy Lake Park, usually held on a Saturday in April. (This normally only takes about an hour, first thing in the morning.) The other activity is a Solo Contest held after school during May. Each student may perform a solo for one judge and have an opportunity to earn a medal for their performance. More information is sent home several weeks prior to the performance dates.
- What about practice time? Students must practice to be successful. For normal progress, a minimum of 15-25 minutes at home practice is expected. Students may be asked to turn in a weekly practice report. Students who live in apartments (which restrict practice) may practice in a practice room at the school (either before or after school). As another option, special mutes are available for some instruments (at an additional cost) which would allow for quiet practicing. These mutes are not recommended unless absolutely necessary.
- What instruments are available to beginners? Brass instruments include Cornet, F Horn, Trombone, Baritone/Euphonium, Tuba. Woodwind instruments include Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, and Bassoon. Percussion is also available, but piano experience is recommended. A test by Mr. Parks can certify a student’s estimated proficiency at a percussion instrument, as well as other instruments. Other instruments will be evaluated by any band director working at the May meeting. (All percussion students must have a completed application on file on or before April 22. This form will be available at the Furneaux, Thompson, Sheffield, Dan F. Long, and this web site by April 1. (Percussionists are expected to stand during the entire class period unless otherwise instructed by the director.)
- Are there school instruments available? Yes. The school provides F Horn, Baritone (Euphonium), and Tuba for students chosen to play these instruments. There is no rental fee for the use of these instruments. There are two expectations: 1) students purchase their own mouthpiece and maintenance equipment, and 2) parents provide insurance against theft and damage. Due to the limited number of available instruments, private lessons are encouraged.
- Can I play trumpet? Sixth grade students play cornet rather than trumpet. Cornets are easier for a young person to hold and easier to find the center of the pitch. When the students get older, they will have the option of switching to a professional quality trumpet.
- Can I play saxophone? No, not yet. Saxophone is not available as a beginner instrument in the school district. Students who have a desire to play sax must start on clarinet and apply for a saxophone position in six to eighteen months. A limited number of saxophone positions will be available.
- How do I get an instrument? For your convenience, a music store is present at the Thursday, May 1, 2008 meeting. You are not required to sign a contract, but it is important that you make arrangements as soon as possible for your child’s instrument. Feel free to talk to the music dealer about all of the possible purchase/rental options. If you do close a contract on an instrument tonight, you will be assured that an instrument has been ordered and will arrive for your child at the start of school. All instruments will be delivered to Dan F. Long next August (to keep anxious students from attempting to assemble their instrument before they know what they are doing)! Students will not begin on their instruments on the first class day, but will start during the first two weeks. Please avoid cheap poorly made instruments. If you find a deal that is too good to be true, it probably is.
Please do not buy anything until both parent(s) and student have met with a band director.
Side note: Oboe and Bassoon are also school
instruments, but these instruments are not always available, depending
on the enrollment in the seventh and eighth grade. These instruments
are more specialized and REQUIRE private lessons in order to be
successful. (Pending the availability of funds, scholarships may be
available to those on free or reduced lunch.)
Please do
not buy anything until
both parent(s) and student have met with a band director.
There will be several band directors at the May 1 Come and Go
Meeting. If you are unable to attend, a special date can be
arranged by calling Mr. Black or Mrs. Parks at 972-968-4136 or email:
band@DFLBAND.com.
PLEASE NOTE: Once a section is full, it is closed.
Students who wait too late to tryout mouthpieces will not have as many
instrument choices.
Obtaining an Instrument
- Who is this music store and why are they here tonight? Music & Arts is represented here tonight for your convenience.
- A representative from Music & Arts comes to the school once a week to service the accounts of the students.
- They pickup and deliver at the school if it is necessary to take the instrument to the repair shop.
- Music & Arts has it’s own factory trained repair staff.
- They have no agreement with the school or with any band director other than the understanding that they will come to the school regularly to provide efficient service to their customers.
- They can make instruments available on a rental agreement.
2. What is the renewable rental with option to purchase agreement?
- This plan is designed to give your child the opportunity to begin band with only a small initial investment.
- Your child can have the advantages of a brand new instrument, such as pride of ownership, freedom from error due to poor equipment, opportunity to be the best player by having the best available instrument for this grade level.
- The students have the instrument and mouthpiece recommended by the band director.
- The instrument can be returned to the company at any time without further obligation.
- The instrument may be purchased with the rent being applied to the purchase price.
- MORE information and plans will be available at the spring meeting.
3. May I purchase an instrument from another music store?
- You are free to purchase an instrument from any source.
- There are other brands of instruments available for less money; HOWEVER, many are inferior in quality of workmanship and materials.
- The store you deal with should have a repair shop and be able to service the instrument after you purchase it.
- The recommended mouthpiece must be included (or purchased). An unsatisfactory mouthpiece can de a detriment to a student’s progress.
- The most convenient and economical way to get an instrument is through the plan offered by the company represented here tonight.
4. May I purchase a used instrument? Yes, but care must be
taken not to purchase an instrument whose condition would be a
stumbling block to your child. It is important to consult with one of
the band directors concerning the condition of the instrument before
you buy it. You might check with the store represented here concerning
the availability of good used instruments. If you decide to look for a
used instrument, we would still strongly urge you to purchase the
brand and model on our recommended list of instruments, along with the
recommended mouthpiece for that instrument.
Please do
not buy anything until
both parent(s) and student have met with a band director.
5. What happens next August?
- Band starts on the first day of school.
- During the first few class meetings, general items will be discussed like class procedures, rhythm and simple music theory.
- If you have a rental agreement with the music store, they will
deliver your child’s instrument and materials to Dan F. Long. The
band directors will issue these items to the students at the proper
time. We do not want the students to handle any instrument until
after proper care and maintenance has been taught.
Recommended Instrument List
The following instruments are the recommended
brands and models for beginners at Dan F. Long Middle School. Parents
and students may ask for another brand or model with approval. In some
instances, other instruments will be approved, but
in most cases, all
students should use these brands. Mr. Black or Mrs.
Parks can give
approval. Also, all students must obtain the mouthpiece listed.
Please do
not buy anything until
both parent(s) and student have met with a band director.
| Instrument | Brand | Model | Mouthpiece |
| Flute | Yamaha | 281S | |
| alternate model: Yamaha 225S | |||
 |
|||
| Clarinet | Buffet | E-11 | Vandoren 5RV Lyre |
| alternate model: Ridenour TR-147 | Vandoren 5RV Lyre | ||
|
|
|||
| Cornet | King | 603 | Bach 7C |
| Bach | CR300 | Bach 7C | |
|
|
|||
| Trombone | King | 606 | Schilke 51 |
| Bach | TB300 | Schilke 51 | |
|
|
|||
| Percussion | Marimba Warehouse | Linda Maxey marimba | see kit supply list below |
| Remo 8" Practice Pad & Stand | RT-0008-00 (pad) & _________ (stand) | ||
| School provided instruments: | Mouthpiece: | |
| F Horn (BERP also provided) | UMI (7BW) | |
| Euphonium/Baritone (BERP also provided) | Schilke 51-D | |
| Tuba (BERP also provided) | Bach 24AW | |
| Oboe (if unavailable through the school, then two models are available as rentals: Yamaha YOB 211 or Bundy/Signet Plastic) | Necessary reeds and supplies | |
| Bassoon | Necessary reeds and supplies | |
2007-08 Supply List
| FLUTE | |
| BP2 | Bo Pep Finger Saddle |
| 3589 | Cleaning Cloth (swab) |
| 3590 | Silver Polish Cloth |
| SS6512 | Music Stand |
| SS6511 | Bag for Stand |
| M-30 | Standard of Excellence Enhanced Book 1 |
|
|
|
| CLARINET | |
| MLC25 | 1 box Vandoren Reeds # 3 |
| 1400 | Buffet Hanky Swab |
| RFCAS | LaVoz Reed Guard |
| Thumb Saver | |
| SS6512 | Music Stand |
| SS6511 | Bag for music stand |
| M-30 | Standard of Excellence Enhanced Book 1 |
|
|
|
| OBOE | |
| GOR | 3 Graham Reeds (medium) |
| 1241 | Fox Oboe Reed Case (holds 2-3 reeds) |
| Silk Swab | |
| SS6512 | Music Stand |
| SS6511 | Bag for Stand |
| M-30 | Standard of Excellence Enhanced Book 1 |
|
|
|
| BASSOON | |
| 5822MED | 3 Jones Bassoon Reeds (medium) |
| 1240 | Fox Bassoon Reed Case |
| SS6512 | Music Stand |
| SS6511 | Bag for Stand |
| M-30 | Standard of Excellence Enhanced Book 1 |
|
|
|
| CORNET | |
| 3589 | Cleaning Cloth |
| SS1610 | Mouthpiece Brush |
| 5166 | Al Cass Valve Oil |
| 2942 | Selmer Slide Grease |
| SS6512 | Music Stand |
| SS6511 | Bag for Stand |
| M-30 | Standard of Excellence Enhanced Book 1 |
|
|
|
FRENCH HORN |
|
| UMI Horn Mouthpiece | |
| 3589 | Cleaning Cloth |
| SS1610 | S Series Mouthpiece Brush |
| 5166 | Al Cass Valve Oil |
| 2942 | Selmer Slide Grease |
| SS6512 | Music Stand |
| SS6511 | Bag for Stand |
| M-30 | Standard of Excellence Enhanced Book 1 |
|
|
|
| TROMBONE | |
| 3589 | Cleaning Cloth |
| SS1610 | S Series Mouthpiece Brush |
| 338 | Trombotine Cream |
| SS6512 | Music Stand |
| SS6511 | Bag for Stand |
| M-30 | Standard of Excellence Enhanced Book 1 |
|
|
|
| EUPHONIUM/BARITONE | |
| Schilke 51-D Mouthpiece | |
| SS1164 | Mouthpiece Pouch |
| 3589 | Cleaning Cloth |
| SS1610 | S Series Mouthpiece Brush |
| 5166 | Al Cass Valve Oil |
| SS6512 | Music Stand |
| SS6511 | Bag for Stand |
| M-30 | Standard of Excellence Enhanced Book 1 |
|
|
|
| TUBA | |
| 33524AW | Bach 24AW Mouthpiece |
| SS1165 | Mouthpiece Pouch |
| 5166 | Al Cass Valve Oil |
| M-30 | Standard of Excellence Enhanced or Regular Book 1 |
|
|
|
| PERCUSSION | |
| RF-12D | Real Feel Double Sided Pad |
| FP-2RP | Innovative Percussion
FP-2RP Stick Bag with a specific set of sticks (This bag is specially packaged for some CFB schools.) |
| SS63111 | Metronome |
| ER20 | Ear Phone for Metronome |
| M30 | Fresh Approach to Snare (Wessels) |
| M30 | Fresh Approach to Mallet (Wessels) |
| Five Minute Theory workbook | |
|
|
|