• For Parents

     What Every Parent Needs to Know About Starting Band at Creekview

    • No prior musical training is necessary.
    • Participation in the band program, in many cases, has proven to be a tremendous incentive for maintaining a good academic record.
    • Self-discipline develops with the mastery of a musical instrument.
    • Band is taught every day as part of the regular school day and is considered an academic elective.
    • Sixth grade beginners are taught every day in homogenous classes (all flutes, all trumpets, etc.) to achieve maximum playing potential as quickly as possible.
    • Seventh and Eighth grade students are taught every day in a concert band setting to practice ensemble skills and prepare for performances.
    • Private lessons are available, encouraged and highly recommended.
    • Initially we suggest that you rent an instrument rather than purchase one.  Rental instruments include flute, clarinet, alto sax, trumpet, trombone and percussion.  School owned instruments (oboe, bassoon, bass clarinet, tenor sax, bari sax, French horn, baritone, tuba) are available for a one-time instrument usage fee of $100, which can paid all at once or throughout the year.

    Benefits of Music


    Music is a Science.  It is exact, specific, and it demands exact acoustics.  A conductor's score is a chart, a graph with indicated frequencies, intensities, volume changes, melody, and harmony all at once and with the most exact control of time.

    Music is Mathematical.  It is rhythmically based on the subdivisions of time into fractions which must be done instantaneously, not worked out on paper.

    Music is a Foreign Language.  Most of the terms are in Italian, German, or French; and the notation is certainly not English, but a highly developed kind of short hand that uses symbols to represent ideas.  The semantics of music is the most complete and universal language.

    Music is History.  Music usually reflects the environment and times of its creation - often even the country and/or political feeling.

    Music is Physical Education.  It requires fantastic coordination and control of muscles which respond instantly to the sound the ear hears and the mind interprets.

    Music is Immortal.  It has been around since man first discovered he could organize the noise around him and create something which would transcend and uplift the human experience.  Music shall live as long as there are ears and minds to listen and appreciate this art.

    Music is Art.  It allows a human being to take all these dry, technical, techniques and use them to create emotion.

    How Can you Help your Child Develop Musically?

    • Show an interest in the music study of your child.
    • Arrange a regular time and place for your child to practice without distraction or interruption.
    • Never make fun of the "strange" sounds your beginner instrumentalist may make. It's important to remember that all musicians begin with "sour" notes and missed rhythms.
    • Teach your child the responsibility of being present and on time to rehearsals.
    • Give your child a safe place to keep their instrument.
    • Help your child to maintain their instrument in good repair.
    • Encourage your child to play in front of others when the opportunity arises at home, school, church, or in the community.
    • Keep a record of your child's various music activities.
    • See that your child brings their instrument and music home and takes it back to school every day.
    • Demonstrate your support of your child's musical efforts by attending concerts.