This page is BRAND new and will develop as the school year progresses.  We will post all of our handouts, schedules, and other paperwork here.  We will also use this space for current announcements of the band program.

Your child will be given a formal assessment on the instruments available for Beginning Band and Orchestra. Our technicians will carefully placed the instrument that best suits your son’s or daughter’s needs while keeping in mind what they want to play.   Please consider that we also need to have a well balanced instrumentation for the ensembles and students may be asked to play other instruments to fill that need.  Parents and students are invited to attend our Informational Meeting in the Nord Gym on Thursday, August 30th at 6:30PM. We will have instrument vendors in attendance for your convenience. You may choose to rent from said companies while at the meeting. We will also give you advice on what to look for in an instrument if you wish to pursue outside sources.

Monday, August 27th:      Instrument Assembly at 1:45PM to introduce students about the opportunity to join.
Tuesday, August 28th:      Instrument Trials: Students will be able to hold/look/play with interested instruments.
Wednesday, August 29th:      Short meeting at 8AM in the band room for those wanting to tryout on percussion
Wednesday, August 29th:      Instrument Trials: Round 2 for the classes that did not attend on Tuesday.
Thursday, August 30th:       Percussion tryouts at 8AM in the band room.
Thursday, August 30th:       Parent Meeting: Held at 6:30PM in the Nord Gym for all interested in joining.
Monday, September 10th:      We Begin with Group Lessons during Music “Specials” start. Instruments are needed!
Monday, December 10th:      Demonstration Concert: 7PM in the Nord Gymnasium. FREE!

Your child has been given instructions on how to create his/her account for their Essential Elements Interactive software they received when they purchased their band books.  This is the same software that we use in the classroom to accompany what the students should be rehearsing at home.  From within this software, students will be able to practice in many different ways, study videos on how to play their instrument better, and have PDF resources on how to help them be better musicians.  They will also be able to record their practiced ETUDE and submit it for a grade with comments on how to improve it to make it better.     This software is all web based and can be used on any computer at any location.  It does require certain system specifications to run, but we have found that most everyone is accommodated in some way.  There is even an APP for IPHONES, IPADS, and their tablet counterparts available for a FREE download.  We even have a computer in the band room office for students who may have difficulty recording at home.   Please contact Mr. Barbaro with any questions regarding the system as we are in our 3rd year of implementing this program and run across new issues from time to time.  Click on the image below to learn more about what the software does and how it will make your student enjoy playing his/her instrument.

Click here for a copy of the Account Creation Memo

Please click below to learn more about Essential Elements Interactive!

Check out this cool percussion page with helpful videos on how to play just about every percussion instrument.

Click Here

Beginning Band Demonstration Concert - Monday, December 10th, 2018
Nord Gymnasium - Concert begins @ 7:00PM - FREE
Students report - 6:30PM to the Band Room

This is just a reminder that our Demonstration Concert is scheduled for Monday, December 10th in the Nord Gymnasium at 7PM. There will be no special dress for the concert. All that we ask is that you dress as nicely as you can without wearing tennis shoes, jeans or TShirts.

BE AWARE THAT THIS IS THE FIRST OF ONLY TWO CONCERTS OF THE YEAR. With only 2 concerts scheduled and band is a TEAM effort, it is important that you attend the evening’s SHORT performance. As stated in the recruitment meetings, the band syllabus, and the Nord newsletter, your participation grade at the concert is worth 50 points. As discussed in class, any student who misses the concert will have to make up the work by doing an extra credit assignment. UNEXCUSED ABSENCES will not be permitted to be made up. If you have any questions, please call me at the number below. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the concert. I am sure you are in for a treat!

Christopher A. Barbaro
Amherst Director of Bands
440-988-1487