Fifth Grade Band
Welcome to the Lisle Elementary 5th Grade Beginning Band!
- How It All Works
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Instruments You Can Play
- How to Register
- Let's Get Started!
- Practice Tools
- 5th Grade Band Calendar & Lesson Schedule
- Concert Livestream Video Links
How It All Works
Choosing an Instrument
All 5th grade students will see and hear each band instrument in a demonstration assembly on the first Tuesday of the school year. Over the next several days, each student will meet with Mr. Meyer individually and have the opportunity to talk with him about a few instruments of their choice! A letter will then be emailed home with the recommended instrument choice for your son or daughter.
Registration
Registration will take place on Wednesday, September 3rd from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM in the Lisle Elementary Cafeteria. This is where you can officially sign your child up for band as well as acquire an instrument and supplies from our partner music store, Quinlan & Fabish. Mr. Meyer will be on hand to answer any questions you may have.
Band Lessons
Each student will be placed in a small group with other students who play their same instrument. Each group will meet once per week during the school day for 30 minutes beginning the week after Registration. Each group’s lesson will typically be the same day of the week, but lesson times will rotate from week to week so students will not have to miss the same portion of class each time they have a lesson. Monthly lesson schedules will be posted in the 5th grade classrooms and emailed home to parents.
After-School Band Rehearsals
After-School Band rehearsals begin the first Tuesday of November and take place every Tuesday afternoon from 3:10-4:15pm at Lisle Elementary School. More information will be communicated with students and parents in October after small group lessons have begun.
Please see the Frequently Asked Questions page or contact Mr. Meyer at pmeyer2@lisle202.org for any questions you may have!
Frequently Asked Questions
Please click HERE for answers to frequently asked questions about the Lisle Elementary School 5th Grade Beginning Band.
Instruments You Can Play
Click each tab below to learn more about the instrument options available to you in the Lisle Elementary 5th Grade Beginning Band!
Instruments You Can Play
Flute
Flute
The flute provides a lot of beauty in the band! Unlike other woodwind instruments, the flute does not have a reed and is played by blowing air across the head joint. Famous flute players include Sir James Galway, Jeanne Baxtresser, and Jean-Pierre Rampal. The 5th Grade Band needs many flutes!
What a beautiful sound!
Sir James Galway's flying fingers!
So peaceful!
Enjoy some jazz flute!
Oboe
Oboe
The oboe is a double reed instrument that produces a very unique sound. The oboe is a particularly challenging instrument to start on, and students have to be prepared to work very hard to achieve success on it. The 5th Grade Band needs only 2-4 oboe players.
A great example of the oboe's distinctive sound!
A beautiful oboe solo with an orchestra
Clarinet
Clarinet
The clarinet is a member of the woodwind family. It produces beautiful sounds in both the low register and the high register. Famous clarinet players include Richard Stoltzman, Martin Frost, Sharon Kam, and Benny Goodman. The 5th Grade Band needs more clarinets than any other instrument!
Fast and fun!
One of the most famous clarinet solos ever!
Some jazz clarinet!
Alto Saxophone
Alto Saxophone
The saxophone is most commonly known as a jazz instrument, and some of the most famous saxophone players of all time are John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Tia Fuller, and Lester Young. Mr. Gumina, our LHS band teacher, is also a fantastic saxophone player! The 5th Grade Band typically needs 6-8 alto saxophone players.
Charlie Parker
Alto Saxophone funk music
A more classical sound
Trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the highest sounding brass instrument. The trumpets often play the main melody parts in band music and are prominent in both concert band and jazz band. Some great trumpet players include Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong, Alison Balsom, Tine Thing Helseth, and Wynton Marsalis. The 5th Grade Band needs plenty of trumpets!
Flying fingers!
A majestic melody
Tons of trumpets!
French Horn
French horn
The French horn is a high brass instrument. It has a beautiful, mellow sound that you will notice in the background of a lot of movie music. The French horn is a challenging instrument that requires a lot of hard work and a great musical ear. Some great French horn players include Philip Farkas, Sarah Willis, and Barry Tuckwell. The 5th Grade Band needs 6-8 French horn players.
The "Jurassic Park" theme!
A small brass group featuring the French horn's glorious sound!
Trombone
Trombone
The trombone is a brass instrument that uses a slide to change notes. It is one of the lower voices in the band. Some famous trombone players include Joe Alessi, J.J. Johnson, Glenn Miller, and Trombone Shorty. This is also the instrument that Mr. Meyer started on when he was in 5th grade! The 5th Grade Band needs 8-12 trombones.
Trombone with an orchestra - such a smooth sound!
Don't Stop Believin'!
Trombone Shorty - one of Mr. Meyer's favorites
Euphonium
Euphonium
The euphonium, sometimes known as the baritone, is a low brass instrument that plays the same notes as the trombone but looks like a mini tuba. It is a unique instrument with an amazing sound. The 5th Grade Band needs 4-5 euphoniums.
The euphonium's beautiful sound
The euphonium can play very quickly too!
Percussion
Percussion
The percussion section is made up of many different instruments! In their first year, 5th grade students will focus on learning snare drum and xylophone skills. Percussionists need a great sense of beat and rhythm, and it is helpful, though not required, if they have played piano before too. If you like being on your feet and moving around then percussion could be a great choice for you! The 5th Grade Band needs 8-10 percussionists. Students can begin learning the drum set in their second year of band as 6th graders in the Junior High jazz band.
Snare Drum
Marimba, similar to the xylophone
The University of Illinois Drumline
How to Register
Registration Night
5th Grade Band Registration Night will take place on Wednesday, September 3 in the Lisle Elementary Cafeteria from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. This is where you will officially sign your student up for band and also where you can acquire an instrument and all necessary additional supplies. This is an open house style event, and you can come at any time between 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Please be prepared to pay for an instrument/supplies with cash/check/credit card.
Acquiring an Instrument
Quinlan & Fabish Music Company: Rent-to-Own Program
For your convenience, our partner music company, Quinlan & Fabish, provides a low cost rent-to-own program whereby you may secure an instrument for your child. You will initially pay an introductory price that covers the first 4 months. After that, you will make monthly payments on the instrument until you own it outright. Every payment you make goes toward owning the instrument. We have worked with Quinlan & Fabish for many years and strongly feel that the quality of their rental instruments is second to none. Through the years, experience has proven many times over that the quality of an instrument is an incredibly important factor in the success of any student.
Used Instruments
Previously owned instruments can be a great budget option for families. If you already own an instrument at home that you would like your student to play, please bring it to Registration Night. It may need to be sent to a repair shop before the start of lessons, and we are happy to take a look at it to ensure its quality beforehand. Even if you already have an instrument, you will still need to acquire the music stand, method book, and miscellaneous supplies on Registration Night.
School-Owned Instruments
If you are not sure you can afford to rent an instrument, we can help. Please contact Mr. Meyer at pmeyer2@lisle202.org about renting a school-owned instrument for a reduced price.
Warning!
Please do NOT purchase an instrument from Amazon, Walmart, or similar sources. Reviews can be misleading, and these instruments are of poor quality and make learning difficult for students. If you plan to shop around, please contact Mr. Meyer at pmeyer2@lisle202.org to discuss any instruments you find so he can help you evaluate the quality.
Additional Supplies
In addition to the instrument itself, every band student will need several additional required supplies to get started. Please click HERE to see a list of required supplies as well as information on how to acquire them.
Unable to Attend Registration Night?
If you are unable to attend Registration Night, please contact Mr. Meyer either at pmeyer2@lisle202.org or (630) 493-8141 by Friday, September 5 so he can help you get your student registered for 5th Grade Band.
Let's Get Started!
Once you have your instrument, please use the following 2 resources to help you prepare for your first lesson!
Clinic Videos
Click this link HERE to access videos that will show you how to assemble your instrument, make your first sounds, and care for your instrument.
- Click on the green button with your instrument's name (percussionists will need to go to both "Percussion" and "Keyboard Percussion").
- Click the tab that says "Clinics." You will use the First Lesson Prep sheet (see right) to guide you in which videos to watch.
.png)
First Lesson Prep Sheets
Click this link HERE to see the list of clinic videos you should watch for your instrument.
- Find your instrument's First Lesson Prep sheet in the folder and click on it.
- Watch the videos listed and follow along with your instrument. Parents, please watch these videos with your student.
.png)
Practice Tools
Consistent practicing at home is crucial to your success in 5th Grade Beginning Band! Students should practice 20 minutes per day for 4-5 days every week. This short amount of time, if observed consistently, will really pay off as the year goes on!
Click the tabs below for tools that can help you improve and have more fun along the way!
Habits Song Videos
Click HERE for videos of professional musicians performing the songs from your Habits of a Successful Beginner Band Musician book. You can watch/listen to these videos to hear how every song should sound!
- Click on the green button with your instrument's name (percussionists will need to go to either "Percussion" or "Keyboard Percussion" depending on the song/exercise).
- Click the tab that includes the range of the song you are working on in your book (e.g. 1-50 to find song #26).
- Find the number of the song in your book from the list, and click the blue "Watch" button.
Habits Play-Along Tracks
Click HERE for play-along tracks to practice the songs from your Habits of a Successful Beginner Band Musician book. We play along with these in lessons often, and they will help you to play with a steady beat and can also help you hear if you are playing the correct notes.
French horns will need to click the "Horns in Fifths Exercises" box to find most of the appropriate play-along tracks for them since they sound different than the rest of the band.
Practice Tips for Parents
Click HERE to read a few helpful tips for parents about how to keep your student practicing, progressing, and succeeding in beginning band!
5th Grade Band Calendar & Lesson Schedule
5th Grade Band Calendar
Please click HERE for the 5th Grade Beginning Band calendar for the current school year.
Weekly Lesson Schedule
Concert Livestream Video Links
Please click HERE to find the livestream link for our next performance! Click on the "Live" tab and look in the videos for Lisle Elementary.
