Welcome to the Band and Orchestra Information Page!
The goal of this page is to help you make informed decisions on what instrument to choose, how to obtain an instrument, and answer some common questions
Choosing an Instrument
Choosing an instrument to start playing can often be difficult. If a student has no experience at all, there can be almost 20 different options, and that can be overwhelming. The first step is to decide a couple things. 1. What group sound do you like? 2. What type of sound (high or low) do you enjoy?
1. What group sound do I like?
Listen to these two excerpts, and see what sound you like best. This will then help you narrow your search for the perfect instrument for you!
Listen to these two excerpts, and see what sound you like best. This will then help you narrow your search for the perfect instrument for you!
Band |
Orchestra |
|
|
2a. IF YOU CHOSE BAND ABOVE: CLICK HERE TO Go to this "Be a Part of the Music" Link for Band. Select the Videos tab at the top, and sort by instruments on the left. Listen to some examples and enjoy your adventure toward your favorite sound!
2b. IF YOU CHOSE ORCHESTRA ABOVE: CLICK HERE TO Go to this "Be a Part of the Music" Link for Orchestra. Select the Videos tab at the top, and sort by instruments on the left. Listen to some examples and enjoy your adventure toward your favorite sound!
Be A Part Of The Music!
This interactive assistance website is GREAT for learning about instruments, groups, and other programs. Have fun with this simple site!
KH Band and Orchestra Recruiting Video (Click Here)
Rental Information
We as directors do not suggest purchasing an instrument for several reasons.
1. Renting covers ALL damage costs, repairs, and is a Rent-To-Own program (your payments go directly toward purchase). Think of it like buying a car, with NO interest rate!
2. Instrument quality gets better all the time, and when you child reaches HS, the quality will make a huge difference on their success rate.
3. Many instruments come in different sizes, and if you purchase the wrong size, or your child grows, you may have to purchase a different instrument, or decide to start renting at that point.
4. Rentals USUALLY come with all the necessary materials (books, music stands, accessories) needed to get started, and often come FREE with a new rental.
5. See the FAQ section below for more information about renting and instrument quality.
1. Renting covers ALL damage costs, repairs, and is a Rent-To-Own program (your payments go directly toward purchase). Think of it like buying a car, with NO interest rate!
2. Instrument quality gets better all the time, and when you child reaches HS, the quality will make a huge difference on their success rate.
3. Many instruments come in different sizes, and if you purchase the wrong size, or your child grows, you may have to purchase a different instrument, or decide to start renting at that point.
4. Rentals USUALLY come with all the necessary materials (books, music stands, accessories) needed to get started, and often come FREE with a new rental.
5. See the FAQ section below for more information about renting and instrument quality.
There are a lot of great companies in the area that rent instruments. We have suggestions below, but it is ultimately up to you. Quality, service, and expertise are all factors that help us provide the suggestions we share. Here are a couple of our top choices.
Meyer Music (Band and Orchestra)
Baroque Violin Shop (Orchestra)
Meyer Music (Band and Orchestra)
Baroque Violin Shop (Orchestra)
FAQ's
WHY IS MUSIC BENEFICIAL?
Music is great for a student's Social Emotional learning. Check out this quick handout describing this learning style, and how music helps students.
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING HANDOUT LINK
WHEN TO START LEARNING?
The Kenowa Hills Band and Orchestra programs start in 6th grade. Students should try to start when the program starts, or maximize their potential. Students who are in older grades are encouraged to join the beginning groups and see what the excitement is all about! Younger students are welcome to start early, but should reach out to a private instructor to start. Once they reach 6th grade, teachers will evaluate their ability to get them scheduled for the best class for them.
WHAT IF I CAN NOT AFFORD TO RENT?
The Kenowa Hills music department has instruments available to borrow for students in need. Please reach out to the teachers for more information, and to prepare you child for success!
WHAT SIZE INSTRUMENT SHOULD I GET?
Most Band instruments come in one size, or have smaller instruments that are named something different (the coronet is a small trumpet). String instruments are more variable, and students should be sized by the teacher, or at a music store, in order to ensure the right size. Renting makes it easy to switch sizes at any time, and saves a lot of money, effort, and questioning on the parent's part. Beginning students will be sized before instruments are needed in class, usually in the first week of school in the Fall.
WHY DOES QUALITY MATTER AS A BEGINNER?
The quality of the instrument is incredibly important to the success of the student. The better the quality, the better the sound, and the easier to play and tune. Rental instruments have a great quality to start students, with upgrades possible at any time. Instruments purchased could be great, or could cost more to be functional than it is worth. A great rule from beginning teachers is to rent first, learn about the instrument, and purchase once you have an invested interest, and adequate knowledge.
WHY NOT BUY AN INSTRUMENT?
There are so many factors that can make an instrument "worth" purchasing. The top factors we look for in purchasing include...
1. Have a professional PLAY the instrument, and find out if it is easy to play.
2. Have a company (if it is not from one) or a teacher look over the instrument to be sure it is in working order. Some maintenance items may be worth fixing, and some may not be.
3. Determine whether the cost of the instrument, added to repairs, is worth the investment.
4. Determine if the size of the instrument (if applicable) will be used for a long enough time to constitute purchase. Fractional size (smaller) instruments lose a lot of resale value, and may be difficult to resell later.
5. Regardless of the instrument, SEE IT FIRST. Do not purchase online from a box store. Quality instruments take time to make by a professional, NOT by an assembly line.
DOES THE COLOR/SHAPE OF THE INSTRUMENT MATTER?
The color of the instrument does not matter, but there are some key factors that will affect the quality. Instruments that are not made with the right materials affect the sound, and BRIGHT, INTERESTING colors are normally not made with proper materials. Green, Blue, Yellow, and other "non-typical" colors for instruments should be avoided until teachers or professionals are able to determine the quality and assist you.
The shape of the instrument should be consistent with what the "mainstream" image is. Fancy changes to the shape is a great indicator that the quality is poor. A good rule is to ask a teacher first, and they love helping people save money!
Music is great for a student's Social Emotional learning. Check out this quick handout describing this learning style, and how music helps students.
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING HANDOUT LINK
WHEN TO START LEARNING?
The Kenowa Hills Band and Orchestra programs start in 6th grade. Students should try to start when the program starts, or maximize their potential. Students who are in older grades are encouraged to join the beginning groups and see what the excitement is all about! Younger students are welcome to start early, but should reach out to a private instructor to start. Once they reach 6th grade, teachers will evaluate their ability to get them scheduled for the best class for them.
WHAT IF I CAN NOT AFFORD TO RENT?
The Kenowa Hills music department has instruments available to borrow for students in need. Please reach out to the teachers for more information, and to prepare you child for success!
WHAT SIZE INSTRUMENT SHOULD I GET?
Most Band instruments come in one size, or have smaller instruments that are named something different (the coronet is a small trumpet). String instruments are more variable, and students should be sized by the teacher, or at a music store, in order to ensure the right size. Renting makes it easy to switch sizes at any time, and saves a lot of money, effort, and questioning on the parent's part. Beginning students will be sized before instruments are needed in class, usually in the first week of school in the Fall.
WHY DOES QUALITY MATTER AS A BEGINNER?
The quality of the instrument is incredibly important to the success of the student. The better the quality, the better the sound, and the easier to play and tune. Rental instruments have a great quality to start students, with upgrades possible at any time. Instruments purchased could be great, or could cost more to be functional than it is worth. A great rule from beginning teachers is to rent first, learn about the instrument, and purchase once you have an invested interest, and adequate knowledge.
WHY NOT BUY AN INSTRUMENT?
There are so many factors that can make an instrument "worth" purchasing. The top factors we look for in purchasing include...
1. Have a professional PLAY the instrument, and find out if it is easy to play.
2. Have a company (if it is not from one) or a teacher look over the instrument to be sure it is in working order. Some maintenance items may be worth fixing, and some may not be.
3. Determine whether the cost of the instrument, added to repairs, is worth the investment.
4. Determine if the size of the instrument (if applicable) will be used for a long enough time to constitute purchase. Fractional size (smaller) instruments lose a lot of resale value, and may be difficult to resell later.
5. Regardless of the instrument, SEE IT FIRST. Do not purchase online from a box store. Quality instruments take time to make by a professional, NOT by an assembly line.
DOES THE COLOR/SHAPE OF THE INSTRUMENT MATTER?
The color of the instrument does not matter, but there are some key factors that will affect the quality. Instruments that are not made with the right materials affect the sound, and BRIGHT, INTERESTING colors are normally not made with proper materials. Green, Blue, Yellow, and other "non-typical" colors for instruments should be avoided until teachers or professionals are able to determine the quality and assist you.
The shape of the instrument should be consistent with what the "mainstream" image is. Fancy changes to the shape is a great indicator that the quality is poor. A good rule is to ask a teacher first, and they love helping people save money!