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Please reach out to RMS Director Loren Koella with any questions you have!
Please reach out to RMS Director Loren Koella with any questions you have!
lkoella@hpseagles.net
lkoella@hpseagles.net
What is the Hudsonville Band Program?
What is the Hudsonville Band Program?
Students begin on one of the following: flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, baritone, percussion and have opportunities to switch to other instruments in the winter of their 6th grade year.
Students are able to participate in band from 6th through 12th grade at HPS, creating a band family and growing as an ensemble for many years daily in class.
Opportunities in the future to participate in colorguard, drumline, jazz band, and fun trips!
Perform in 3 concerts per year.
What Will My Child Learn in Band?
What Will My Child Learn in Band?
Your child will learn many skills in band including musical skills and essential life skills including but not limited to:
How to read pitches in the staff
How to read rhythms
Correct playing techniques
How to become a successful, independent musician
Perseverance and how to work hard
How to work together as a team and have effective rehearsals
Most importantly they will have fun while doing it!
Why Should My Child Be In Band?
Why Should My Child Be In Band?
The goal of the Hudsonville Band Program is to create the greatest experience possible for the students in our program while making them lifelong appreciators of music. Participating in class helps students feel a sense of belonging, create lifelong friendships, learn to work as a team, build resilience, and build skills that will help them in all facets of life. There are numerous studies proving how the study of music supports brain growth. We work hard and have lots of fun while doing it!
Getting an Instrument
Getting an Instrument
Rental
Rental
There are many ways to secure an instrument for your student. My highest recommendation is to rent from Meyer Music. This program is the biggest bang for your buck! The rental gets your student a brand new, high quality instrument with free repairs for the life of the rental. This is also a rent to own program. Renting is also incredibly convenient - a representative comes to the school each week to pick up or drop off repairs and equipment. You never have to drive anywhere! Meyer Music provides top notch customer service and will take great care of you. Payments will not start until September, even if you rent now! The rental can be completed online with the button below.
Renting also provides you flexibility unlike purchasing an instrument. If your student decides to switch instruments a simple swap can be completed with Meyer Music. If you purchase an instrument instead of renting you will then have to complete a new rental or purchase a new instrument. If your student decides not to continue with band in 7th grade you simply return the instrument and stop making payments.
Please rent an instrument ASAP if you have not already! Rentals will be delivered to RMS before the start of the year.
Please rent an instrument ASAP if you have not already! Rentals will be delivered to RMS before the start of the year.
Other Options
Other Options
If you choose to go a different route to obtain your student’s instrument I recommend reaching out to me to be sure that the money you are spending will not be wasted. If the price is too good to be true it probably is and nothing hinders a child’s success than a low quality instrument. I have seen many parents buy a cheaper option and end up not only investing hundreds of dollars in repairs, but also choosing to go the rental route after doing so. I am here to help if you have any questions!
Please avoid purchasing instruments from Amazon or other non-music stores. These instruments may have an enticing price tag, but the quality will severely hinder your student’s success and enjoyment of the class. Many times these instruments cannot be repaired by local repair shops because of lack of parts.
If you have financial constraints that make obtaining an instrument for your student difficult please reach out! I am here to help every student receive a high quality music education no matter who they are!
Please reach out if you have financial need. We are committed to making sure that all students who want to participate in band have the opportunity to!
Please reach out if you have financial need. We are committed to making sure that all students who want to participate in band have the opportunity to!
Baritone
Baritone
Because of the high cost of renting a baritone this is a school provided instrument.
Options:
Use a school owned instrument to keep at home for practice and one for use at school. These instruments are older but are still in good working condition and school instruments will most likely be shared with a student in another grade. Home instruments will be available to take home the third week of school.
Rent an instrument for daily use at school (this will be much newer than the school provided instruments) and use a school instrument for at home practice.
The only purchase you need to make is a Yamaha 48 mouthpiece. Students will bring this back and forth from home to school. Most students also use a small carrying bag or pencil pouch to keep it safe.
Options for purchase:
Call Meyer Music and have it delivered to RMS
Purchase a brand new mouthpiece from Mrs. Koella for $40. I have 2 left. Please reach out to me ASAP if you would like to purchase a mouthpiece from me.
Winter Instrument Switches
Winter Instrument Switches
In the winter students have the opportunity to switch to other instruments and round out the sound of our ensemble. If your student is interested in playing a switch instrument please have them start on the instrument indicated below to best support their success and ease the transition.
Oboe - Flute or Clarinet
Bassoon - Flute or Clarinet
Bass Clarinet - Clarinet
Alto, Tenor, or Baritone Saxophone - Clarinet
French Horn - Trumpet
Tuba - Baritone or Trombone
Course Commitment and Concert Schedule
Course Commitment and Concert Schedule
Our course commitments and performance schedules are below. The 6th grade band has 3 performances throughout the year. These are wonderful times to celebrate your student’s learning and progress! Please note that attendance and participation at our scheduled performances are an academic requirement of the class, for their full duration of time (approximately 1 hour per performance) and is for a grade. If there are conflicts during our performance time I am more than willing to work out a compromise. Our concert dates are:
Wednesday, October 21, 6:30pm
Wednesday, December 2, 6:30pm
Monday, May 17, 6:30pm
Please see the attached concert and event schedule for additional events and activities.
Students will also demonstrate their skills in class involving rhythm, note naming, playing excerpts, and other pertinent musical skills. At home practice is highly encouraged and I will communicate expectations as the year progresses. Put that instrument you’re paying for to good use by having your student practice!
Binders
Binders
We utilize a binder system to keep students organized and rehearsals running efficiently. Please make sure your student has the items below by the second week of school. Amazon links are also included for easy ordering!
If you have difficulties obtaining these items please reach out.
Opportunities in the 6-12 Program
Opportunities in the 6-12 Program
The great part about band is that it is not just a class - it is a program that students can participate in throughout middle school, high school, college, and the rest of their lives. The Hudsonville Band Program offers MANY fantastic opportunities for our students within our band program throughout middle and high school including:
Concert Band
Jazz Band
Solo and Ensemble
Honors Bands
Pep Band
Marching Band
Winter Drumline (State Champions the last 2 years!)
Winter Colorguard (recent State Champions!)
Local and Out of State Trips and Performances
Fun Activities and Performances! (Rebounderz, Cedar Point, Griffins game, and more!)
See the attachment for more information about our 6-12 program.
Yes, your child can do sports, other activities, AND band! Doing so teaches them valuable life lessons such as time management and communication skills. All directors are willing to work with schedules and make compromises to support students in all of their interests.
Yes, your child can do sports, other activities, AND band! Doing so teaches them valuable life lessons such as time management and communication skills. All directors are willing to work with schedules and make compromises to support students in all of their interests.
Stay Connected!
Stay Connected!
Make sure to visit our website and check regularly on the RMS page for updated information.
Also like our Hudsonville Bands Facebook page to stay connected with our entire program 6-12.
Add this Google Calendar to yours to have all events, assignments, and due dates automatically added to your calendar! Please also see the attachment with concert dates for next year so you can begin planning ahead for the great things that are to come.
You are also invited to join our Band Boosters, who have meetings every other month. This is a fantastic way to get involved with the program, meet parents from across the district, and have a voice in the program. The next meeting date will be announced soon. All parents from any grade are invited to join!
Hudsonville Bands Overview.pdfReport abuse