Welcome Future Band Members and Parents!

Enjoy 5th grade!  In the near future Mr. Wood and Mr. Gray will get a chance to meet you and talk to you about band.  Students be sure to check out the 'For Fun' tab on the left!  We hope you will consider taking part in the AWESOME Staley Band!

We are excited about our future 6th grade class and the upcoming school year!  We will do our best to answer any questions you have at anytime regarding band or the transition into middle school.  Band is the largest elective class offered in 6th grade with 50% of the total sixth grade class.  We know your child will have a friend or two (...or three... or twelve) in band!  Below are just a few of the great reasons you and your family should consider band in 6th grade;

• There are NO MUSICAL requirements to sign up for band.  
• You can be in band and ANY other activity on campus (athletics, NJHS, STUCO, Cheer leading, etc)
• You Will have friends in band.  You will make even more friends in band!
• We have lots of choices!  Once you mark band #1 on your schedule you can choose between Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, and Percussion!
• We have scholarships and reduced rental fees available if your family is concerned about the cost of band.
• Band students travel and perform throughout the year for concerts, contests, or just for fun!
• Students receive individual attention on a DAILY basis from one of the directors or lesson staff.  (average beginning band class size is only 10)

Forms

Please review the forms located below and let us know if you have any questions about the screening process or how to register your student in band.  Most of the forms below will be updated in the Spring after dates are set with the counselors and Elementary music teachers.

• FAQ (just some of the questions you might have, let us know if you have any more!)  (Spanish FAQ click here)
• Summer Band Camp- coming soon
• Beginning Band Packet- coming in March
• INSTRUMENT ZOO- 'come see, hold, and learn about the instrument choices'- coming soon
• Screening Information- To be placed in a beginning band class the directors will want to 'Screen' your child to see what instrument is the 'best fit' for them.  More information coming in late Feburary

Parents

Worried about the transition to middle school?  Staley Band members get a chance to attend a summer camp and meet their classmates before the school year starts.  Also, many beginners view the band hall as a 'home room' as they have another locker, get to see their friends who are assigned to the other team, or just relax and make music. 

Parents usually have two major concerns regarding band: Cost and Time.

Cost- Band is an expensive class.  Between instrument rental, supplies, and trip costs your family might worry about the added financial burden.  DON'T WORRY!!!  Staley Administration, the Band Boosters (SMSBPA), and the directors are committed to making band affordable to ANY student who wants to take band.  There is financial aid available as well as school owned instruments that can GREATLY reduce the cost of band.  Please talk to the directors if your child is interested in music- we are happy to help!

Time- Beginning Band students can look to spend between 15-20 minutes a night practicing.  The Staley Band program does not take grades on practice reports and the directors only care about your student PROGRESS not AMOUNT OF TIME spent practicing.  Staley is a small school and the directors are used to having to share students with athletics, select sports, church, karate, and other things!  Since the Staley Beginning Band curriculum is broken into small 'bite-sized' chunks many students find that band is usually the easiest (and quickest) part of their evening routine.  As a matter of fact, most band students end up practicing much more simply because they enjoy making music!

We look forward to meeting your family and hope you will allow your child to join band!  Even if your child does not become a professional musician, studying music can have a MAJOR POSITIVE INFLUENCE for the next seven years of secondary school!!!