Beginning Band –
We’ve spent the last week talking about the program, the instruments and reading music. I have also shared 4 different places to possibly rent – to – own an instrument. Here are links and some brief information on each company.
Paige’s Music: This is where most of our students rent from. Great instruments and even greater service. They come to the school once a week and have been servicing North Lawrence forever. I have worked with them personally since 1984. www.paigesmusic.com
Melody Music Shop: Located in Bloomington. Very friendly and good instruments. Some of our students take lessons there and I have always found them very helpful and kind whenever I have been in the store making a purchase. www.melodymusicshop.com
Conrad’s Music: Located in Corydon, but they service Orleans and Mitchell just south of us. Very good prices, good instruments, and great people to work with. I’ve talked with the owner and they are happy to help our students. www.conradmusicservice.com. You won’t find our school listed, but the Mitchell and Orleans links will give you the information you need.
Woodwind Brasswind: located in northern Indiana. This company does a lot of internet business. You can spread the cost of an instrument across 36 months interest free, if you use their credit card. Very low rates, but there are some hoops to jump through. Look for this special promotion link on certain instruments.They have a very wide range of price and quality. Be careful to purchase a quality instrument that will hold up to middle school use. I have worked with them in the past and have purchased items from them. You just need to know what you are looking for. They are very helpful if you give them a call. Woodwind Brasswind
Paige’s Music Instrument Display –
Paige’s Music will host a make-up instrument rental night at OMS for any NLCS student who needs to rent an instrument from Paige’s or who is interested in looking at trading to a step-up band instrument or a larger sized string instrument. This will be on Monday Aug. 22 from 5-7pm in the OMS band and orchestra rooms. Students and parents should enter through the front door at OMS, go down the hall and down the stairs (there will also be signs to direct them).
Beginning Band Books –
Beginning band students will need a beginning band book. We use Essential Elements 2000. Most students that rented from Paige’s Music already have this and others may too. The percussion book includes the snare and bell music and costs $17. The rest of the band books are $10. The students that need a book can purchase it from the band office as the books arrive.
Checks can be made out to BMS Band.
6th Grade Percussion Auditions –
6th grade percussion auditions will begin next week.Percussionists will need a stick bag and book if they are chosen. The band department will order these stick bags with what the percussionists need. The sticks and mallets along with the stick bag cost $60. They also need to have something to practice bell parts on at home. A bell kit, piano, iPad app, or little electric keyboard will work for this.
The stick bags should arrive soon. We’ll let the kids know when they arrive. Checks can be made out to BMS Band.
Fall Fundraiser To Kick Off On Sept. 1 –
This year’s annual fall fundraiser will begin September 1. We will be selling cookie dough again. Last year’s sale profits really helped the program grow. We don’t expect the students to sell a lot or be aggressive in taking orders. We are large enough that a few orders from everyone will more than meet our needs. I really appreciate any help at all with this project. From personal experience, I know it is a tough time and some households may have another fundraiser happening with a sibling. The profits enable us to sell supplies and equipment below cost to the students. Students that participate in fundraisers receive discounts on local band outings and events.
Have a great week!
Bedford MS Bands 