Beginner Band
What is Band?
Band is an elective class, not an after-school activity, in which you learn how to read music and play an instrument of your choice. New Heights band members perform Winter and Spring concerts each year, along with various other school and organized community events. Band class meets every day, all year long.
Don't know how to play an instrument? That's normal! Most students start playing their 6th or 7th grade years with no prior experience. Don't worry: we'll teach you everything right from the beginning. All you need to do is listen carefully to your Band Director, follow directions, and practice your instrument every day.
The New Heights Middle School band program currently consists of two groups—our 8th Grade Ensemble and our Beginner Band. Students can join Beginner Band at the beginning of their 7th Grade year. Unfortunately, this is the only opportunity we are able to provide for you to join The Sound of Central without musical experience. If you wish to join after the 7th grade, you'd need to seek private lessons first in order to catch up to the level of your peers.
All this to say, if you're even the littlest bit interested, now's your chance to try! It could very well end up being a passion that sticks with you for life.
Beginner Band Frequently Asked Questions
What instruments can I play in Band?
For your first year, you may choose to learn one of the following instruments:
Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone, or Percussion (xylophone)
What do I need for Band class?
A Workbook and an Instrument.
You'll use "Standard of Excellence Book 1" for your type of instrument.
These books can be ordered from Pecknel when you rent your instrument -OR- you can order one in class for $11.
How do I find an instrument?
There are three options:
Buy Outright from a friend or family member, pawn shops, or online.
There are a ton of different brands of instruments out there. Finding a well-made instrument can be confusing or overwhelming. Many factors go into a quality instrument, but one of the most important is the materials used. The key is what type of metal is used in the instrument. Poorer instruments use soft, cheap metal which means the instrument will malfunction or go out of alignment relatively quickly. This leads to costly instrument repairs and stretches of time your child goes without their instrument.
Recommended Instrument Brands: Armstrong, Artley, Bach, Besson, Benge, Blessing, Bueshcer, Buffet Crampon, Bundy, Conn, Eastman, Emerson, Fox, Gemeinhardt, Getzen, Glaesel, Holton, Jupiter, Keilwerth, King, Knilling, Leblanc, Wm Lewis, Lidl, Martin, Scherl & Roth, Scheibner, Schroetter, Selmer, St. Petersburg, Strunal, Yanagisawa, Vito, and Yamaha.
Some Brands to Avoid: Amati, American, Cecilio, First Act, Glory, Grand, Hawk, LaFayette, Lauren, Mendini, Mugig, Olds, Pan, Revere, Roy Benson, Silvertone, Simba, Standell, Vedette, Winston.
Avoid instruments from Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, Sears, JC Penny, ect.
Mr. Mack will be glad to check out any instrument found online before you purchase. Send him a text or pic of the instrument to 704-242-6283.
Rent from Pecknell
We have made arrangements with a reliable music company for you to rent your instrument online. If you need to get an instrument, I believe renting to be to your advantage since some students opt out of band class after the first year. If you choose to rent online, your instrument and necessary book will be delivered to our school with no shipping fees.
To rent your instrument online, go to pecknelmusic.com/aerntschoolselect. Select our county, school, teacher, and the instrument you would like to rent. You will notice that sometimes used instruments are available at a reduced rate. These are instruments that have been previously rented but have been repaired (if needed), play tested, and completely sanitized. They will play like a new one, but not look like a new one. You can order your “Standard of Excellence” workbook when you order your instrument online.
School Owned
We have a very limited supply of instruments reserved for a few students who cannot afford any other option. If possible, it is best not to rely on this option, as instruments are subject to availability.