Information about our Ensembles and FAQ
Q: What is needed for Band/Orchestra Rehearsal?
ALL STUDENTS NEED:
- 25 sheet protectors (Binder provided in class).
- Instrument in proper working condition with accessories (rosin, valve oil, etc.)
- Combination Lock for personal instrument (Not required, but HIGHLY recommended)
- Pencils (LOTS OF PENCILS)
- Metronome and Tuner--I recommend the Tonal Energy App, which contains both for $3.99 and/or Snark Brand clip-on tuners for about $13.
- Supplies for their specific ensemble. Please see below.
Band:
Concert Band Level 1 (6Th Grade Band):
- Standard of Excellence Book 1 (Red Book)
Concert Band Level 2:
- Foundations for Superior Performance by Williams/King
Symphonic Band:
- Foundations for Superior Performance by Williams/King
BAND INSTRUMENT SPECIFIC NEEDS:
Flute Accessories needed: Cleaning cloth, tuning rod, name tag for case, metronome and tuner.
Oboe/Bassoon Accessories needed: 3 reeds to rotate through, cleaning swab, cork grease, nametag for case, metronome and tuner.
Clarinet Accessories needed: 4 reeds to rotate through (Vandoren Reeds are a popular choice), cleaning cloth, cork grease, nametag for case, metronome and tuner.
Saxophones Accessories needed: 4 reeds to rotate through (Vandoren brand reeds are a popular choice) cleaning swab, cork grease, nametag for case, metronome and tuner.
French Horn Accessories needed: Rotor oil, cleaning cloth, tuning slide grease, nametag for case, metronome and tuner.
Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone, Tuba:
Accessories needed: Al Cass “Fast” valve oil, Slide-o-mix (trombone only), tuning slide grease, cleaning snake, polishing cloth, nametag for case, metronome and tuner.
Percussion
Bell Kit and Snare Drum (Available for purchase or rent from Music and Arts).
Sticks and accessories needed: Stick bag with: Vic Firth SD1 Snare sticks, Timpani mallets (soft or medium), Medium yarn mallets, Hard Mallets, metronome. Some intermediate packs are available at local music stores containing most or all of these items, or online at www.steveweissmusic.com.
Orchestra:
6th Grade Orchestra:
- Essential Elements 2000 for Strings Book 1
- Habits of a Successful Middle Level String Musician by Christopher Selby and Scott Rush
Accessories needed for ALL strings:
- Extra set of strings
- Shoulder rest (Not a sponge!)
- Rosin
- Cleaning cloth
- Name tag for case
- Metronome and tuner. I HIGHLY recommend the Snark clip-on tuners (About $10). Several free metronomes are available on the app store. Tuners will be used in class daily, while metronomes are for at-home practice.
Q: Can my child use a school instrument? Is there a fee?
A: I have certain school instruments available for rental, and yes--there is a fee. The current Jeffco district-wide policy is that students and parents must sign a rental agreement, and pay a fee of $62.50 per semester, or $41.67 per trimester. This is far less than renting one from a music company. I am obligated to charge this fee, unless the student receives free or reduced lunch.
Q: What is the dress code for concerts?
A: We wear all black at Deer Creek. That means black belt, shoes, socks, etc. Ladies are welcome to wear a skirt or dress, as long it is an appropriate length. No t-shirts, jeans or sneakers are allowed at concerts. Students not wearing appropriate attire will be asked to change before the performance.
Q: What and when are playing tests?
A: Playing tests are individual playing assessments that occur during class or online through Google Classroom. They cover everything from fundamental scales to our current repertoire for a specific ensemble. All playing tests will cover concepts outlined in the Jeffco CAP. Playing tests will usually occur on Fridays, and are a large part of each student's grade.
Q: Where should I get my child's instrument repaired?
A: There are several places that will fix an instrument, but some take longer than others, and a few come to Deer Creek to pick up instruments on a weekly basis.
Music and Arts (Littleton on Bowles): Come to DCMS. Turnaround time 1-3 weeks.
Rocky Mountain Music Repair--Broomfield.
Q: I'm not a musician--how do I know how long and what exactly my child should be practicing?
A: Your child should be bringing their instrument home and practicing most nights. If you never see their instrument, there's something wrong. The quality of their practice time is directly related to their success in my class (and as a musician). A minimum of 4 nights a week is required to meet practice standards in my ensembles. Practice time should be between 15-30 minutes (longer if they can handle it). Have your child play their playing test materials (tested most Fridays) in front of you to help with their nerves. I HIGHLY recommend private lessons, and also a program called Smart Music. For an annual $40 subscription, they send a microphone and software for your computer. Most of the music we play is included on the software--and it will tell the user when they are playing out of time, wrong notes, out of tune, etc. Very cool use of technology, and fun for the kids too. Also, the best thing to do is take private lessons! I can offer guidance on teachers, please email me if you are interested by clicking the mail link above.