Parent Guide

Welcome to the Bellingham Memorial Middle School Band Program. The following parent guide will provide you with information regarding ways in which you can help support our student musicians as well as basic information regarding the band program.

 

HOW CAN PARENTS HELP?

AT HOME

1. Help your child to learn the sectional and band rehearsal schedule. Post it in a convenient place.
2. Encourage your child to play for others when the opportunity arises, in the home, at school, and in the community.
3. Your interest and praise is what matters most.
4. Arrange a regular time for practice.
5. Find a quiet place for practice. Students need a music stand and metronome.
6. Become familiar with your child’s music and lesson book. Take time to listen to your child’s
   practicing.
7. Help your child keep a daily practice record.
8. Provide a safe place to store musical instruments.
9. Help to be very careful with school-owned instruments. The costs of repairs are
   very high.
10. Help keep the instrument in good repair with reeds, valve oil, etc. in the case.
11. Expose your child to all kinds of music.  Encourage your child to borrow musical recordings from the library, and go to symphony concerts, musicals, open-air concerts, parades, ethnic music performances, and high school or middle school concerts. Ask the band director for more listening examples, and check the music department’s website.

AT SCHOOL

1. Post rehearsals and concerts on the family calendar.
2. Notify the teacher if your child is to be absent or tardy to a rehearsal that takes place outside of the school day.
3. Visit rehearsals and lessons occasionally.
4. Discuss with your music teacher anything that will help me to understand your child.
5. Attend parent/teacher conferences when possible.
6. Help chaperone music festivals.
7. Become an active member of Bellingham Friends of Music.

 

 

 

TIPS FOR MOTIVATING YOUR STUDENT

1. Assist your student in his/her practicing. Don’t worry if you do not have a musical background. What your child needs from you is not musical expertise, but patience, encouragement, and support.
2. Listen to him/her play!
3. Be very generous with your interest and praise. Credit each achievement with some form of recognition.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

In order to produce a professional appearance, the students should wear the following to all concerts:

Girls: White blouse, black pants/skirt (below the knees when sitting), black shoes

Boys: White dress shirt, black pants, black shoes and socks

Concerts are the culmination of all the learning that takes place in sectionals and rehearsals. As a band director, I teach the students that each member of the band plays an equally important part in the performance of the ensemble. Therefore, I ask that parents carefully review the concert schedule at the beginning of the year and mark the dates on their calendar to prevent conflicts in scheduling. Required attendance is part of a middle school student’s final grade.

Middle school musicians are encouraged to take private lessons. Parents are encouraged to contact their child’s band director when considering private instruction. Information is also available on the Music Department Website (www.bellinghammusic.org).