Incoming 7th graders and new studentsBe a part of the music!!!
For information about joining the Frost Band and Orchestra, click on this link Click here Dear prospective Frost Music Student - Whether you are a 6th grade student with experience on an instrument, a student with NO EXPERIENCE on an instrument - we want you to join one of the most exciting parts of the Falcon student culture by becoming a part of the band and/or orchestra ! Under the New Students header of this website you will find a lot of useful information. You should also consider attending one of our upcoming informational Zooms. Don't hesitate to reach out with questions you may have. Michael J. Rais - Director of Bands & Orchestras, Frost MS Q & A: Sports and Music: There are many students who are involved in sports and music that are in our band and orchestra classes. These students are involved in sports at Frost and/or sports outside of the school day. Students are still able to be in band and orchestra without conflict of sports. You will receive a sports calendar and music calendar at the start of the school year. Large instruments: If you play a larger instrument at Frost, in the orchestra, our cello and bass students may leave their instrument at home and use a school instrument during the school day so you do not need to transport it back and forth. In the band classes, we offer tuba, baritone, baritone saxophone, and some other large instruments that you can use at school. It is based on first come, first served. We will try to provide an extra one for home use/practice (first come, first served). Do not let financial reasons prevent you from making music! Contact the music teacher. Frequently asked questions about scheduling: Scheduling: YES, YOU CAN TAKE BAND OR ORCHESTRA AND STILL TAKE ELECTIVES! *You will not miss the electives if you prolong it for one year. Read further.., *Electives like Exploring Foods, Shop and others are a one semester class. Once you take it for a semester, it is done. *The elective classes (Exploring foods, shop, etc) are combined with both seventh and eighth grade year. *You will not miss the electives if you prolong it for one year. *All seventh graders are required to take Physical Education / Health & Computers. *There are five hours of exploring foods, art, shop, so chances of taking the class with a friend are not very likely. In Band and Orchestra, you will be in the class with your friends. However, do not let deciding to continue music in middle school be based on friends. *Band and Orchestra is a continued sequence from the sixth grade level. If you choose to take other electives in seventh grade and come back to band or orchestra in eighth grade, you will need to sign up for the seventh grade class. *If your child would like to take a foreign language in eighth grade, we encourage Spanish because it is easier to schedule music, Spanish and other classes in high school. *If you enjoy music, you should continue into seventh grade. If you have any questions about our music program or scheduling questions, please contact me at: [email protected] I want to make sure that your child is able to take band or orchestra, take other electives, participate in sports without having to decide to take music or not. It is possible and can be done. For Parents: What if I am not sure if I want my child to do music in middle school? Remember when your children wouldn’t eat the food you made for them? You always said, “Try it before you decide you don’t like it.” Music is the same way. Your child should sign up for band or orchestra even if you or they are unsure. Our curriculum builds on what your child learned from last year in sixth grade. Your child will still be able to take electives at Frost middle school. Once a student stops learning and making music, they tend to not come back to it. What is band and orchestra classes like? Our students tend to answer this as band or orchestra is their favorite class of the day. Besides learning to play an instrument, playing in an ensemble and concerts; our music students become part of a music family that grows into high school. We have our annual lock-in at Zap Zone, field trip to see the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, participate in honors ensembles, take a trip to Cedar Point and perform at Music in the Parks, perform with the high school ensembles, Skype with other school bands and orchestras, have a holiday party before winter break, bring in guest music clinicians, and more! *Some of these activities will depend on what the state will allow for next school year. What if I don’t know anything about music? That’s ok! We will teach your child everything they need to know, step by step. From how to assemble and care for the instrument to reading notes and rhythms, we will guide your child through the process regardless of the level of their music skills. All that is needed from you is an enthusiastic attitude and patient ears when your child comes home and makes their first sounds. How much out of school time is required? Music is no different than any other curricular area. We ask that your child spend some time with their instrument each and every week. Think of it as musical homework, but much more fun. Students can even get together after school to practice what they learn in class. What are the costs of being in music? The costs associated with music depend on which instrument your child chooses and if you already own an instrument. We have certain instruments available for at school use. If not, you can rent a quality instrument from a local music store at a very reasonable price. If financial constraints prevent you from being able to do this, please contact me and allow me to help. We will not let instrument availability or financial constraints keep your child from participating in learning music. We can provide instruments to use at school such as: Bassoon, French Horn, Tenor Sax, Bari Sax, and Tuba. The method book comes with most rentals outside of the school. The method book average price is around $8. *Electives like Exploring Foods, Shop and others are a one semester class. Once you take it for a semester, it is done. *The elective classes (Exploring foods, shop, etc) are combined with both seventh and eighth grade year. *You will not miss the electives if you prolong it for one year. *All seventh graders are required to take Physical Education / Health & Computers. *There are five hours of exploring foods, art, shop, so chances of taking the class with a friend are not very likely. In Band and Orchestra, you will be in the class with your friends. However, do not let deciding to continue music in middle school be based on friends. *Band and Orchestra is a continued sequence from the sixth grade level. If you choose to take other electives in seventh grade and come back to band or orchestra in eighth grade, you will need to sign up for the seventh grade class. *If your child would like to take a foreign language in eighth grade, we encourage Spanish because it is easier to schedule music, Spanish and other classes in high school. *If you enjoy music, you should continue into seventh grade. If you have any questions about our music program or scheduling questions, please contact me at: [email protected] I want to make sure that your child is able to take band or orchestra, take other electives, participate in sports without having to decide to take music or not. It is possible and can be done. BE A PART OF TRADITION!!! Michael Rais, Director of Bands / Orchestras, Frost MS |
Family information meetingLetter from Mr. Rais to incoming 7th graders!
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