Description of 6th Grade Band
6th grade band is the second year of study for Maltby Students. While it is the second year of study students who do not have the first year of study are welcome if they are interested and willing to do the work to get caught up!
If a student was in 5th grade band it is expected that they will continue to play the instrument on which they played at the end of 5th grade. Changes to instrumentation must go through and be approved by Mr. Osborn. No changes will be discussed with a student until such time as Mr. Osborn receives written or e-mail permission from the parent to discuss this change with their child. While changes are possible (depending on instrumentation needs) students must realize that responsibility to catch up to the level the 6th grade band has attained. Private lessons are highly recommended as they are for any band student.
Students joining after 5th grade are encouraged to seek out additional help to catch up. Private lessons are a the best way to accomplish this. A list of recommended private lesson teachers for most instruments is available elsewhere on this website.
Additional help is also available with Mr. Osborn by appointment, as available, before or after school for any student.
As with any skill development activity band does require practice in order to be successful. Practice for 6th grade is recommended to be a minimum of 100 minutes a week. Some students choose to take care of this a little bit each day (15 minutes a day takes you over the 100 minute threshold. Some student choose to do less frequent practice and do longer periods on fewer days. The good news is the practice schedule can be made to fit the students schedule and homework load.
6th grade band is obviously a continuation of 5th grade band with more of an emphasis sheet music and skill development through the music. In addition the students participate in a solo and duet unit in which they learn to work in small groups and alone to prepare music for evaluation. This unit culminates in a solo and duet festival in February in which students may participate to receive feedback and evaluation from professionals specializing on their instruments. There is a small cost for this event. More information is available elsewhere on this site.
During 6th Grade clarinet players will have the opportunity to audition for a limited number of Alto and Tenor Sax positions. Clarinet players also will have the opportunity to try the bass clarinet.
Following the December concert students begin a unit of study involving working on solos and duets. This unit culminates with a Solo and Duet Festival that is held during February. More information about that unit will be sent home following the December concert.
6th grade band also participates in a couple of field trips throughout the year. In the fall the students have the ability to sign up for the a trip to Michigan State University to watch the Michigan State Spartan Marching Band (and get ice cream at the MSU Dairy Store). At the end of the year the students have the ability to sign up for a fun trip to Michigan's Adventure Amusement Park. Information on both of these trips will come home at the appropriate time of the year. (MSU- September, MI Adventure -January/February).
If a student was in 5th grade band it is expected that they will continue to play the instrument on which they played at the end of 5th grade. Changes to instrumentation must go through and be approved by Mr. Osborn. No changes will be discussed with a student until such time as Mr. Osborn receives written or e-mail permission from the parent to discuss this change with their child. While changes are possible (depending on instrumentation needs) students must realize that responsibility to catch up to the level the 6th grade band has attained. Private lessons are highly recommended as they are for any band student.
Students joining after 5th grade are encouraged to seek out additional help to catch up. Private lessons are a the best way to accomplish this. A list of recommended private lesson teachers for most instruments is available elsewhere on this website.
Additional help is also available with Mr. Osborn by appointment, as available, before or after school for any student.
As with any skill development activity band does require practice in order to be successful. Practice for 6th grade is recommended to be a minimum of 100 minutes a week. Some students choose to take care of this a little bit each day (15 minutes a day takes you over the 100 minute threshold. Some student choose to do less frequent practice and do longer periods on fewer days. The good news is the practice schedule can be made to fit the students schedule and homework load.
6th grade band is obviously a continuation of 5th grade band with more of an emphasis sheet music and skill development through the music. In addition the students participate in a solo and duet unit in which they learn to work in small groups and alone to prepare music for evaluation. This unit culminates in a solo and duet festival in February in which students may participate to receive feedback and evaluation from professionals specializing on their instruments. There is a small cost for this event. More information is available elsewhere on this site.
During 6th Grade clarinet players will have the opportunity to audition for a limited number of Alto and Tenor Sax positions. Clarinet players also will have the opportunity to try the bass clarinet.
Following the December concert students begin a unit of study involving working on solos and duets. This unit culminates with a Solo and Duet Festival that is held during February. More information about that unit will be sent home following the December concert.
6th grade band also participates in a couple of field trips throughout the year. In the fall the students have the ability to sign up for the a trip to Michigan State University to watch the Michigan State Spartan Marching Band (and get ice cream at the MSU Dairy Store). At the end of the year the students have the ability to sign up for a fun trip to Michigan's Adventure Amusement Park. Information on both of these trips will come home at the appropriate time of the year. (MSU- September, MI Adventure -January/February).
