Our Program

Instrumental music instruction is offered through a program provided by "Future Musicians Inc."  Enrollment is open to students in grades 4-8 on the following instruments: flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone and percussion. As students progress, oboe, piccolo, tenor saxophone, french horn, baritone and tuba lessons become available to them. Third grade students can sign up for a special pre-band recorder class.

Lessons

Each student receives a minimum of 30 small group lessons,  half hour, once a week, on school time and on a rotating schedule. Band students present at least two evening concerts each year, as well as in-school assembly programs, whenever possible. All students will get opportunities to join special groups from other schools all over the state. Tuition is additional and does not include instrument rental fees.

Instruments Of The Band

Flute

The Flute is one of the higher pitched instruments of the woodwind family. It has a beautiful sound that can be light and happy, or quiet and clean.

Clarinet

This is a popular woodwind instrument. It can play both high and low notes. A band generally has more clarinets than any other instrument.

Alto Saxophone

Again a very popular instrument. Saxophones come in various sizes and ranges. Even though made of brass, they are part of the woodwind family.

Trumpet

The trumpet is the highest pitched instrument in the brass family. It is played in all types of bands and orchestras.

Trombone

This instrument sounds very brassy like the trumpet, but produces a lower sound. It gets the different sounds because it uses a slide. It is very popular and usually in great demand.

Percussion

You don't just play drums. There are many kinds of percussion instruments, and you should learn to play them all. Percussionists, like all instrumentalists, must practice every day.

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Advance Instruments

Oboe

The oboe has a piercing sound and has many beautiful solos in many pieces. The pitch of the oboe is usually used to tune a band. Its expressive sound is often used to play sad or emotional melodies. It is often said to be a very difficult instrument to play.

Piccolo

The piccolo is a special kind of flute that is pitched one octave higher. The musicians who play piccolo usually also play flute. The piccolo is extremely difficult to play, and hard to keep in tune while playing.

Tenor Saxophone

The tenor sax adds body to the sound of any sax section by filling in the inner voices. It also plays many harmonies and melodies in more jazzy and showy tunes. The tenor is pitched lower than the alto.

French Horn

The french horn has a rich full sound. The french horn is a brass instrument built in a circle, with a large bell that is held down by the player's side. Did you know that because it is difficult for a player to be able to master both the extreme high and the extreme low notes, professional players often specialize in one or other range?

Baritone

Baritones are usually made of brass or other metal, and usually silver-plated or lacquered. Baritones are small tubas. The baritone sounds in the same range as a trombone. 

Tuba

The tuba is the largest and deepest member of the brass family. The tuba is actually a gigantic bugle which is held upright. Even though it is bulky and plays in a low register, you can play very fast notes or light and airy tunes on the tuba.

Special Groups

Honors Band

In the Fall, students in grades 6, 7 and 8 are nominated to be members of one of the area Honors Band. These bands meet for approximately six evening rehearsals and then present their area concerts, usually in late January or early February. All Honors Band members are invited to perform at a special function, such as a Nets game at the Meadowlands.

The major spring concert in the Spring gives all our students a chance to participate. Honors Band students audition for membership in the All-State Band. This is the most advance group of students in the program. The All-State Band also gives a special outdoor concert in May, usually at the Lincoln Center in New York City.

Students in grades 5-8 are invited to participate in the Spring Honor Guard Band. Section leadership is provided by former Honors Band members. This intermediate level band performs at the All-State concert.

Beginners and second year students can join the Festival Band. For many of the students this will be the first time they may play with such a large group. Festival Band students perform before the State Band concert where they will hear intermediate and advance students in concert.

Occasionally additional groups of students are formed into select bands. These students perform at the program's major concerts and other special activities.