Join Band!

Most of our 5th grade band students obtain an instrument from Rettig Music through their rent-to-own program. There are other music stores in the area and online that sell instruments, but only certain brands of instruments are recommended.

Flutes: Gemeinhardt , Pearl, Yamaha; Clarinet: Selmer, LeBlanc, Vito, Yamaha; Saxophone: Selmer, Yamaha; Trumpets and Trombones: Bach, King, Yamaha, Eastman; Baritones: Jupiter, Yamaha, Eastman; Percussion: Pearl, Ludwig.

Parents should be especially careful when buying an instrument on-line. There are many brands of LOW QUALITY instruments that are sold cheaply and WILL BREAK during normal use. Cheap instruments are usually not able to be repaired and may result in a total loss. Please don’t assume that a “Five-Star” rating online means that the instrument will hold up to daily use over the course of several years. 

Check with Ms. Jones if you are thinking about buying an instrument that is NOT one of the brands listed above or if you have issues obtaining an instrument.

Yes! Band practice takes place during the school day. We work with all sports so students can continue to participate through high school, we even have football players and cheerleaders in the marching band!

The amount of practice that each student needs will vary. Each student is unique and will learn at a different pace. The recommended practice time is 1/2 hour, 5 times per week. This time can be spent practicing songs from the method book, learning scales / fundamentals, working on sheet music from band class, or playing other music that the student finds interesting. Practice time is not recorded or graded in 5th grade band at Defiance, but the most successful students will have a structured practice time that parents will help reinforce. 

All students will need an instrument and a “Essential Elements” method book 1. A folder to hold their sheet music wil be provided for them. 

In addition, instruments have their own unique needs…

Flute: Swab and Cleaning Rod

Clarinet/Alto Sax: Reeds (at least 2 new reeds, strength 2 or 2.5), Cleaning Swab

Trumpet/Trombone/Baritone: Slide or Valve Oil, Tuning Slide Cream

Percussion: Percussion Kit, this includes - Bells, bell mallets, snare drum, Vic Firth SD1 snare sticks, practice pad, and 2 stands (1 snare drum stand and 1 bell stand). All these items are sold by rettig music as a kit. 

Yes. The band directors or Rettig Music can inspect a pre-owned instrument to make sure that it will work well for a new 5th grade student. Repairs may be recommended and should be completed before classes start up during the school day. 

5th grade band is a year-long activity and it takes an entire year for students to get the full experience of playing an instrument in band. The vast majority of students will play all the way through 5th grade and beyond. However, in some special circumstances, after discussion between parents, director, and the principal students have withdrawn mid-year.

Instrument changes must be approved by the director ahead of time and the student will be expected to work independently outside of class to get caught up on the new instrument. 

Yes! The 5th grade band will perform at least 2 concerts after school throughout the year. These concerts are a fun way for the students to showcase what they have learned in band. The specific dates and times for the concerts will be shared with students once rehearsals begin at school.

No! They will also have the option to start in the summer between 5th and 6th grade. We will do a recruitment at the end of the year for any

student who would do better to start in the summer, but not all instruments will be an option then. If we have a

large group of students on a particular instrument, that instrument may not be available.

5th Grade band takes place during the school day and before school once a week. The morning band time happens once a week from 7:50 to 8:35. During this time students meet in small groups for specialized instruction from one of our staff. There is transportation available for these morning times as well. There is also a twice a week large band rehearsal right after the students lunch.