Future Band Members

It is time to begin the fun.  Ask any of our band students right now and they would tell you that they are proud of their choice to be in the Wester Band.  Success is in our blood.  We play games and learn more about music than you have up to this point in your live.

It is a great opportunity to make friends and be active in something where everyone can be a winner.  Everyone can be a starter.  Everyone can show off and be a STAR.

KEEP IN MIND THE FOLLOW FACTS ABOUT BAND.
1.  You do not have to know anything about music to be in band.  We will teach you everything in the band class to make you a great musician.

2.  If you join the band , you can still participate in Football, Volleyball, Cheerleading, and other sports and clubs.  We have a lot of students involved in all aspects of student life at Wester.  Our Coaches are great and encourage our kids to do more than just atheletics.

3.  Your friends will be in band.  The more friends, the more fun.  The band is the largest spirit organization at Wester.  There is no reason why you shouldn't come and join us.  You will fit in great.

4.  What do we do for fun?  Learn to play an instrument for starters, but you can't forget the parties and the very special trips that you get to take (only with the band).

5.  Best of all, you will get to perform.  Just listen to the band and you will see what you are in for.


Click here for a "Future Members Guide" brochure

HERE IS HOW IT ALL WORKS...

Sign your child up with Beginning Band as FIRST CHOICE on the schedule sheet and return it on time to your childs 5th grade teacher.

Be sure to come to the beginner band instrument drive on February 2nd. Your child must be interviewed by a band director before they can be placed on an instrument.  This is to insure that they play an instrument that fits their physical attributes.

Once you and the band director have chosen your instrument, begin the process for obtaining the instrument. Be sure to follow the process that the band directors inform you of when you sign up.

Sign up with the band directors to be a part of the private lesson program. You can start lessons early in the summer so that you give your student a head start.

If for some reason you cant come to the drive, call the band office and set up an appointment to meet with Mr. Smith on a different date.

Enjoy the rest of the year in elementary school. Middle School is just around the corner.


      Studying Music is Preparation for Life      

We all want our children to experience a healthy, happy and prosperous life and to enjoy themselves in the process. There are certain mental tools which aid in this goal, and music is crucial in honing these tools:

Creativity. Music opens horizons of the mind and supports wonderment, imagination, appreciation, and sensitivity. Creativity is the source of possibility and is a mental muscle that must be trained and exercised often.

Communication. Music is a language beyond words. Music can only be explained with music because of its various styles, textures, tempos, and dynamics. Music truly stirs the soul of people. No words or visual display can come close to the emotional impact of music.

Critical Assessment. Music is one of the key areas where an individual can develop a consistency between intellectual and emotional understanding. Here is the chance to bridge the cognitive and affective data of life, which many feel is the recipe of genius. We can create formulas instead of just solutions, and we can be pro-active rather than re-active. We can open the mind and avoid tunnel vision - and in doing so, come up with discerning opinions which develop quality character.

Commitment. It is almost impossible to be "partially committed" to music. One may quit on a test, refuse to turn in an assignment, or just not be aware of what is going on in a lecture class, but the participation level in music requires a focus of attention unlike most subjects in school. Music causes one to learn persistence and the value of "not giving up," even when there is the temptation to throw in the towel. Many have pointed to "stay power" as one of the greatest personal attributes in our society. Welcome to one of the key benefits of the study of music. 

Excerpts from "The Value of Music"
by Tim Lautzenheiser
Attitude Concepts for Today


© 2009-2010 Wester Middle School Wildcat Band