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Frequently Asked Questions Will it Affect My Child's Grades? Can my child participate in sports or other activities? Lewis Middle School Band Lewis Middle School is located in Sulphur, La. With an enrollment of approximately 780 students, Lewis Middle offers electives in band, choir, and rotation to enrich core academic classes. The band at LMS consists of 150 students, divided into Symphonic, Concert and Beginner Bands. A strong emphasis is placed on character building, strong principles and leadership ideals throughout all grade levels. Our hope is to help students become better people, students and musicians through their band class. Students begin playing their instruments in the sixth grade in like-instrument classes that meet for fifty-five minutes per day. During their first year, students work to establish a solid fundamental foundation, develop proper individual practice habits, learn how to operate in the band environment and grow stronger in their music reading and theory abilities. Our goal is to allow students to have fun in a productive and structured atmosphere. Seventh and eighth grade band students audition for and are placed in one of two bands. The Concert and Symphonic Bands perform at a number of events throughout the year, including pep rallies, individual and small ensemble contests, school concerts, the Louisiana Music Educators Association Large Ensemble Festivals. All grade levels are strongly encouraged to take private lessons with one of the qualified instructors in our area. Both the Concert and Symphonic Bands prepare young people to be great students in band and academic classes, while also providing them with the performance and rehearsal skills necessary for them to be successful members of the award winning Sulphur High School Band of Pride. With an emphasis on instrument fundamentals, musical performance and student leadership skills, the LMS Band offers a well-rounded learning environment for all students wishing to participate. COME BE PART OF THE FUN AND SUCCESS! The Lewis Middle School Band has already established itself as one of the most successful organizations at Lewis Middle School. Not only do students learn to perform on a musical instrument, they learn the essentials of teamwork, self-motivation, self-discipline, individual responsibility, and social skills that prove to be effective in any career, sport, or other activity. Under the direction of Tim McMillen and Lisa Hughes, students are offered instruction on flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, cornet, French horn, trombone, euphonium (baritone), tuba, & percussion. Hopefully, many of the questions you have about signing up, acquiring an instrument, and requirements for participation will be answered by reading this web page thoroughly. If not, please feel free to contact us at any time. We will be more than happy to answer your questions as quickly as possible. Each Instrument is Unique and Fun! Music is an important part of your child's education and is a rewarding experience that will enrich your child's life for years to come. The opportunity for your child is now. As a parent, you have the chance to introduce your child to a beautiful and fulfilling world, to develop abilities and interests that may otherwise never be discovered. Your decision to enroll your child in band may be one of the most important contributions you make to his/her life. Most importantly: Just like a sports team, not everyone can play the same position. Not everyone who "really wants to" play a certain instrument will be able to. Those wishing to play percussion as a first choice must select a second choice instrument in case they cannot meet the percussion requirements. DO NOT immediately run out and get an instrument until you have met with the directors so you are sure you have all the necessary information about quality brands and models and the list of required accessories to accompany the instrument. Do not buy used instruments from various sources such as pawn shops and E-Bay without consulting one of the LMS Band Directors. Consider this purchase as important to your child’s success as the purchase of a vehicle is to your family’s safety. Take precaution in instruments whose history you are unaware of as there may be hidden defects (even in some new instruments, depending on brand).
HOW MUCH MONEY WILL THIS COST? Instruments: Most of the local music stores are able to offer good deals on the purchase of an instrument or can set you up on a monthly payment plan over the course of time. In fact, some even offer an instrument rental program. This program is perfect for beginner students who may be "experimenting" with their commitment to something new. The rental program protects you from investing money in an instrument while not being 100% certain that your child will continue in his or her band instruction. After your child’s first year, it is suggested that you trade in the rental instrument for a higher quality instrument for purchase on a monthly payment plan. Also, a select number of school-owned instruments are available for students with great financial need as well as instruments that are too expensive to rent. Initial Band Fees/Supplies: Each new student will purchase through the band a $17 uniform polo shirt to be worn during performances. A fee of $35 is required of all members to defray basic operating costs, travel, and necessary equipment purchases. Fundraising: One major aspect of an effective band program is Fundraising. Calcasieu Parish does not supply the band programs with any operating money. The Band receives a small amount strictly for music purchases and a modest repair budget for the already dilapidated school instruments. Therefore, to attend many of the extra activities that enhance and benefit our band students we must raise a considerable amount beyond that. The students participate in one major fundraiser a year. Some Parents choose to pay the fees straight to the band rather than let the fundraising company take a large percent of the sales. Some pay fees AND fundraise. The bottom line is: fundraising and fees are an essential and major factor towards the quantity of events in which the band gets to participate and the quality of the band program. As a beginning band student, there are two (required for a grade) concerts outside regular-school-hours. One concert is in December and the other is in May. Beyond that, students will participate in solo and small group contests as well as private lessons. Students will also be required to engage in regular home practice routines like having homework from a "regular" class; however, our home practice requirements of only 30 minutes per day for 7 days leaves plenty of time for participation in other activities and schoolwork. WILL BEING IN BAND AFFECT MY CHILD’S GRADES? YES—research shows that participation in band will affect your child’s grades for the better. On average, students who participate in school music organizations score 89 points higher on standardized tests like the SAT than students without musical coursework. Also, 70% of the nation’s major universities report that participation in a musical organization is a higher consideration than standardized test scores for admission decisions. DID YOU KNOW? ...66% of college music majors who applied for medical school in 1996 were accepted while only 44% of biochemistry majors were? CAN MY CHILD PARTICIPATE IN OTHER ACTIVITIES AND BAND? YES!!! - Not only is participation in other LMS organizations possible — it is highly ENCOURAGED!! However, it is important to remember that commitment to the band program and practice time is necessary. Many of the skills each student will learn in band (teamwork, group accountability, etc.) will be GREAT assets toward their participation in athletic programs or any other organization. In fact, many great athletes, actors, professional musicians, and Presidents were active in band. VERY LARGE FILES --- BE PATIENT! How to join the Lewis Middle School Band 1) Decide if band is right for you. Read through this FUTURE MEMBER GUIDE to determine all the GREAT opportunities available to you by joining the LMS Band. 2) Select BAND as your #1 elective choice on your schedule sheet. 3) Use the INSTRUMENT SELECTION GUIDE to choose an instrument (other than percussion*) you would like to try. Percussion must choose a second choice instrument. If you have already filled out your enrichment card with something other than band we can fix it. If you attend a display or meet with a director this change is automatically done at your request. Otherwise, please contact the band room at 227-527-0609 and leave a message. * Any student interested in percussion will be REQUIRED to attend a MANDATORY testing session in the LMS Band Hall. Students who do not attend this session will NOT be considered for percussion.
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