Melanie Ward

SPRING HILL MIDDLE SCHOOL BEGINNING BAND 

Mrs. Melanie Ward

mward@bentonvillek12.org

479-254-5534          

Class Description: Students have their first and only opportunity to join band in the sixth grade. Instruments available are trumpet, trombone, clarinet, flute and percussion. Beginning brass (trumpets/trombones) and percussion classes meet on Monday/Wednesday, and woodwind (flute/clarinet) classes meet on Tuesday/Thursday. Most students also have band on Fridays if their schedule allows. In class students are separated into two smaller groups with two different teachers by instrument so more efficient learning can take place. Students begin by learning the basics of playing their instrument such as caring for and maintaining the instrument, holding the instrument, correct posture and breathing, identifying notes on a staff, fingerings, and rhythms. Once students learn to produce a sound and play their first few notes, they will learn various songs, scales, and exercises from the method book we use, Standard of Excellence Book 1.  Our beginning band performs at least three concerts each school year - one in October and two in May.