Here is a short video featuring demonstrations and personal experiences from band students. They discuss possibilities and opportunities that each student can enjoy while enrolled in the band program.
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Blacksburg Middle School Bands
https://www.blacksburgband.com

6th Grade
Information / Syllabus

Brian Quakenbush                                    Shane Mercy                                     
[email protected]                [email protected]                 
540-951-5800                                        540-951-5800                                 

This program is a successful partnership between the Blacksburg Middle and Blacksburg High School band programs.

  • Beginning Band is an introductory music course designed for students with little or no previous instrumental experience. Students will learn the fundamentals of playing a band instrument, including proper posture, breathing, tone production, note reading, rhythm, and music vocabulary. Through daily instruction and guided practice, students develop individual musicianship while learning to perform as part of an ensemble.
    In addition to musical skills, students build confidence, discipline, responsibility, teamwork, and perseverance. Regular practice outside of class is an important part of student success and helps reinforce concepts learned during rehearsals.
    Throughout the year, students will have opportunities to perform in concerts and school events, showcasing their progress and celebrating their achievements. Beginning Band provides a fun, supportive environment where every student can develop a lifelong appreciation for music while gaining valuable life skills through instrumental performance.

  • These students are required to present a winter and spring concert.

All materials listed below are available at Star City Music (Salem) and Bridge Kaldro (Christiansburg)

starcitymusic.com

bridgekaldro.com

Any school-owned instruments must be checked out using a Receipt and Bond form. Please see the directors for this form, as it must be signed out before instruments are loaned.
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Blacksburg 6th Grade Band Instrument Supply List

Flute        
  • Instrument – Recommended Brands: new or used Yamaha, Pearl, Gemeinhardt, Armstrong, Selmer, Artley, Bundy, Jupiter, Eastman, Powell, DiZaho, or Emerson
  • Tuning/Cleaning Rod
  • Cleaning Cloth - can be a handkerchief
  • Name Tag for Instrument Case
  • Pencil
  • Foldable music stand for home practice
Oboe        
  • Instrument – Recommended Brands: new or used Yamaha, Selmer, Bundy, Jupiter, Buffet, Berkeley
  • 3 Medium Soft Reeds - Marlin Lesher Oboe Reeds
  • Oboe Reed Guard
  • Soaker Cup and Clip
  • Cleaning swab - preferably cloth or silk
  • Cork Grease
  • Name Tag for Instrument Case
  • Pencil
  • Foldable music stand for home practice

Clarinet
  • Instrument – Recommended Brands new or used: Buffet, Yamaha, Selmer, Bundy, Artley, Jupiter, Eastman, or Vito
  • Recommended Mouthpiece - Yamaha 4C or Vandoren B45
  • Ligature
  • Reeds - at least 5 reeds #2.5 Clarinet Reeds
  • Clarinet Reed Guard
  • Cork Grease
  • Cleaning swab - preferably cloth or silk
  • Name Tag for Instrument Case
  • Pencil
  • Foldable music stand for home practice

Saxophone
  • Instrument – Recommended Brands new or used: Buffet, Yamaha, Selmer, Bundy, Artley, Jupiter or Vito
  • Recommended Mouthpiece - Yamaha 4C 
  • Ligature
  • Reeds - at least 5 reeds #2.5 - Alto Saxophone Reeds
  • Saxophone Reed Guard
  • Cork Grease
  • Cleaning swab - preferably cloth or silk
  • Name Tag for Instrument Case
  • Pencil
  • Foldable music stand for home practice

Trumpet
  • Instrument – Recommended Brands: new or used Bach, Yamaha, Xeno, Conn, Holton, King, Bundy, Jupiter, Selmer, or Besson
  • Valve Oil - Al Cass, Blue Juice, Yamaha, or Selmer valve oil
  • Selmer or Yamaha slide grease
  • Recommended Mouthpiece - Bach 7C
  • Name Tag for Instrument Case
  • Pencil
  • Foldable music stand for home practice

French Horn
  • Instrument - Recommended Brands: Xeno, Conn, Holton, King, Bundy, Jupiter, Selmer, or Besson
  • Valve Oil - Al Cass, Blue Juice, Yamaha, or Selmer valve oil
  • Selmer or Yamaha slide grease
  • Mouthpiece - Holton MDC
    • If using instruments from BMS, students will need to purchase their mouthpiece.
    • It is recommended to purchase their mouthpiece, but we may have an extra to keep at home for practice. See us to work that out.
  • Name Tag for Instrument Case
  • Pencil
  • Foldable music stand for home practice

Trombone
  • Instrument – Recommended Brands: new or used Yamaha, Bach, Conn, Holton, King, Bundy, Selmer, Jupiter, Weril, or Besson
  • Slide o Mix - for slide care
  • Recommended Mouthpiece – Bach 6-1/2AL
  • Name Tag for Instrument Case
  • Pencil
  • Foldable Music Stand for home practice

Tuba/Baritone
  • Instrument – borrowed from BMS
  • Valve Oil - Al Cass, Blue Juice, Yamaha, or Selmer valve oil
  • Recommended Tuba Mouthpiece - Conn - Hellenburg 120S
  • Recommended Baritone Mouthpiece – Bach 6 ½ AL
    • If using instruments from BMS, students will need to purchase their mouthpiece.
    • It is recommended to purchase their mouthpiece, but we may have an extra to keep at home for practice. See us to work that out.
  • Name Tag for Instrument Case
  • Pencil
  • Foldable music stand for home practice

Percussion
  • Percussion Combo Kit 
  • Stick Bag
    • Snare sticks - Vic Firth 5B American Classic
    • Marimba Mallets - Basic Medium Marimba 
    • Xylophone Mallets - Basic Medium Xylophone 
  • Name Tag for Stick Bag
  • Pencil
  • Foldable Music Stand for home practice

Instruments need to be kept in working order.  Students must maintain and properly store their instruments so that they will function properly during class rehearsals.  If a repair is needed, there are options; please contact Mr. Quakenbush or Mr. Mercy for suggestions.    

  1. Class expectations

 All students are expected to

  1.  Be prepared for class each day with your instrument, music, and a pencil. In general, participation is the largest part of your child's grade.
b)    Participate in a playing test, which will be given regularly. Students will have the opportunity to improve their scores over the nine weeks.
c) Provide practice records that must be filled out weekly and signed by the parent/guardian.

 —----Please note that performances are required and one of the largest grades for that nine-week grading cycle—----


 a) Rehearsal participation 50%
  •  Weekly preparation points are based on whether the student is prepared on time and working to their potential.
      Daily Grades include
  • Students being on time 
  • Having their instrument 
  • Pencil ready
  • Folder/Music for class
  • Demonstrating Effort 
  • Not distracting or damaging classroom decorum 
  • Being respectful to the teacher and other students.
 *****Daily grades will be posted weekly.******

 b) Practice records 10%
  •  The practice chart will be located on the cover of their band Book.
 
  •  These must be completed and have the parents' full signature.
 
  •  Late submissions will not receive full credit. However, students are encouraged to practice above the minimum for extra credit.
 
  •  Students AND parents must follow the BMS Honor Code that is in the BMS student handbook.

Sixth-grade band students are expected to practice a minimum of 60 minutes per week.

c) Playing test 40%
  •  Evaluative playing tests will be given throughout the grading.
 
  •  There may be a short exercise from a method book, a scale, or written music theory that will be completed during the class time.
 
  •  These tests are meant to help the student develop Under Pressure performance skills.
 
  •  They help evaluate the student's strengths and weaknesses so that I can give the student immediate feedback and instruction. Every student will have the opportunity to improve their score over the nine weeks. 

 2) Concert Expectations
All performances are counted as playing test grades

  • All concerts are held in the Blacksburg High School auditorium unless stated otherwise and will start at 6:30 p.m. Students will need to be in the Blacksburg High School Band Room (use door # three) by 6:15 p.m.
 
  • Participation is required and will be considered part of the student's test grade. Any conflicts or expectations should be communicated with a director as far in advance as possible - the day of the performance is not acceptable - exceptions being illness or family emergency. 
 
  • All students must have proper attire for every performance. Please plan for attire needs in advance. This is an essential part of their performance!!!

The Blacksburg Middle School Bands are transitioning to black-on-black attire for our concert clothing.

Concert Attire Guidelines:
  • Tops: - black long-sleeved dress shirt; or this; ladies - long or ¾ sleeves preferred; black dresses can also suffice and are traditional.
  • Bottoms: Black dress pants or a long black skirt. 
  • Shoes: Black closed-toe dress shoes (no sneakers, please)
  • Accessories: Minimal jewelry; above-the-ankle black socks or hosiery

If purchasing these items presents any hardship, please don’t hesitate to contact me—we want every student to participate fully, and we’ll make sure everyone has what they need.

We still have some inventory here that can aid families in need to use our clothing. We DO NOT have black tops for men in stock and request that families get those on their own. 


Other important information

 Care of school-owned instruments
    School-owned instruments will need to fill out a Receipt and Bond form 
 Students are responsible for providing any necessary items to play (reeds) or maintain (oils) the instrument. The student is expected to keep the instrument clean and in good playing condition. The student pays for lost or stolen instruments and repairs resulting from misuse, neglect, or carelessness. Damage must be reported to the director immediately. The instrument may be used only by the person to whom it is assigned. Instruments shall be returned to Blacksburg Middle School in the same condition in which it was received.

Instrumental storage

 The instrument storage area can be used for the storage of instruments during the school day. Absolutely no food, drinks or gum is to be brought into the band room and/or stored in the instrument storage areas. Please keep our areas clean and neat.

Performances

The Concert Calendar is now online in an updated calendar

https://www.blacksburgband.com/calendar.html


Concerts include

Concerts include
  • Winter concert for all grades        BHS    December 17th         6:30
  • Spring Concert for all grades        BHS    May 13th            6:30
  • Spring Trip to Ice Skating at LaHaye Ice Rink at Liberty University. Checking dates for an open Saturday. More information will be forthcoming.
Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns. The fastest way to communicate with us is through our school email.