What do I need to do in order to join the Band?

• If your student participated in your elementary school's band program last year, all you really need to do is complete the JOIN THE BAND form and make sure you have all the right equipment and materials for the class.

• If your student did not participate in your elementary school band last year, you need to be tested for the correct instrument.  This is a very easy process.  Simply visit Portman's Music in Savannah (located at 7650 Abercorn Street) and speak to a Band Instrument Representative about being fitted for a band instrument.  The professionals at Portman's will help your child determine which instrument will work best for your student.  For more information about testing and being fitted for an instrument, see the section Instrument Tryouts.

• Students entering the 7th or 8th grade and are moving into the SCCPSS school district, must have participated in and have been a member in good standing with the school Band program at their previous school in order to be admitted 

• Students that did not play percussion (drums & mallets) during their 5th grade year in band must be tested by the Band Director.  They must also have consent from the Band Director.  Students unwilling to learn to play mallets (bells, xylophone, and marimba) should consider playing an instruments other than drums/percussion.

• Students that participated in 5th grade Band should not change instruments without advice and consent from the Band Director.

Band students may learn how to play either a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument.  These instruments include:

• Woodwinds - flute, oboe, clarinet,  bass clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone

• Brass - trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone, tuba

• Percussion - All percussion students will learn how to read and play mallets (bells) and other percussion accessories in addition to playing other instruments such as the snare drum, bass drum, cymbals, timpani, tambourine, triangle, shaker, etc.

• In order to have a well-balanced ensemble, there will be a limit to the number of people selected to play each instrument.  This school year we specifically in need of more flute and clarinet players.  Please consider trying  one or both of these instruments when you go to Portman's music to be fitted/tested for an instrument.

• Instruments and the number of student positions available are listed below

  • Flute:  6-8 students

  • Clarinet:  6-8 students

  • Bass Clarinet:  3 students

  • Alto Sax:  6 students

  • Tenor Sax:  3 students

  • French Horn: 3 students

  • Trumpet:  6 students

  • Trombone:  4-6 students

  • Baritone/Euphonium:  4 students

  • Tuba:  4

  • Percussion:  4 students

Every instrument is different.  Therefore, the items needed for one instrument may be different from those needed for another instrument.  Nonetheless, every student will need the right equipment and materials in order to be successful in band.  See the section for Class Materials for more information.

Yes.  At WCMS,  all students take two Connections classes each semester on a rotating schedule.  Students can be scheduled to take both Band and P.E. or Band and Art in the same semester.  In addition, because all extra curricular sports activities are held after school, students can participate in both Band and competitive after school sports such as baseball, softball, basketball, track, volleyball, and soccer as well.  Per school district policy, sixth grade students are not eligible to play football.

**Note**

• Band is a full year course.  Other courses such as Art, P.E., Health, Business Tech, etc. are semester long courses.  Students will rotate out of semester long courses in January each year.

Students must have all required books, accessories, and equipment necessary to begin playing in class by August 12, 2024.

Students will begin playing assignments in on Monday, August 12, 2024.

The deadline to notify the Band Director of your interest to join the Band class is Friday, August 9, 2024.

In addition to having a quality brand Band instrument for class, students must have method books and instrument accessories to maintain their instrument.

Below is a list of required accessories needed for band class based on instrument type.

All books and instrument accessories may be purchased at Portman's Music.

• TonalEnergy Chromatic Tuner ($)

• Bandmate Chromatic

These apps are not required.  However, they are highly suggested as they will make learning to play your instrument and turning in assignments during Virtual Learning Days much easier.  These apps can be found in both the Apple and Google App stores.

**All students are required to have the following books**

• Traditions of Excellence, Book 1

• Foundations for Superior Performance

• Traditions of Excellence, Book 1

• Foundations for Superior Performance

• Traditions of Excellence, Book 1

• Foundations for Superior Performance

• Care Kit (with cleaning cloth and joint grease)

• Pad saver

• Cleaning rod

• Care Kit (with cleaning cloth, cork grease, and swab)

• Reeds (3 pack)

• Care Kit (with cleaning cloth, cork grease, and swab)

• Pad saver

• Reeds (10 pack) - Rico, Rico Royal , or Vandoren Brand (Give to Band director to keep on hand for your student at school)

• Reed guard

• Care Kit (with cleaning cloth, cork grease, and swab)

• Pad saver

• Reeds (5 pack) - Rico, Rico Royal, or Vandoren Brand (Give to Band director to keep on hand for your student at school)

• Reed guard

• Care Kit (with cleaning cloth, cork grease, and swab)

• Pad saver

• Reeds (10 pack) - Rico, Rico Royal, or Vandoren Brand (Give to Band director to keep on hand for your student at school)

• Reed guard

• Care kit (with cleaning cloth, Rotary/valve oil, and slide grease)

• Care kit (with cleaning cloth, valve oil, slide grease, mouthpiece brush, and snake)

• Care kit (with cleaning cloth, slide grease, mouthpiece brush, and snake)

• Care kit (with cleaning cloth, valve oil, slide grease, mouthpiece brush, and snake)

• Care kit (with cleaning cloth, valve oil, slide grease, mouthpiece brush, and snake)

• Vic Firth SD1 drumsticks

• Mike Balter 13r or 13f yarn mallets

• Pencil

• Earbuds (headphones)

• Folding Music Stand - Can be purchased at Portman's Music

Students must have all required books, accessories, and equipment necessary to begin playing in class by August 12, 2024.

Students will begin playing assignments in on Monday, August 12, 2024.

The deadline to notify the Band Director of your interest to join the Band class is Friday, August 9, 2024.

Below is a list of quality brand instruments recommended by the West Chatham Middle School Director of Bands.  Brands not listed may be of inferior quality and should not be purchased without first getting advice from the director.  This list is offered to help parents make well informed decisions when securing an instrument for their Beginning Band student.  This is not an all encompassing list.  If your brand is not listed, please ask the Band Director before making any purchases.

• Do not rent or purchase instruments that are colored.  They look nice, but are generally of not good quality.  These instruments are usually metal or plastic that have been painted red, blue, green, black, white, pink, or purple.

• Quality instruments are usually only offered in the following colors:

  • • Flute - silver or nickel plated.  Upper level instruments may offer gold keys, springs, or lip plates

    • Clarinets - resonite (black plastic) or wood

    • Oboe - resonite (black plastic) or wood

    • Saxophone - Gold lacquer or silver plated

    • French Horn - Gold lacquer, silver or nickel plated

    • Trumpet - Gold lacquer, silver or nickel plated

    • Trombone - Gold lacquer, silver or nickel plated

    • Baritone - Gold lacquer or silver plated

    • Tuba - Gold lacquer of silver plated

• Depending on the type of instrument, quality brand student woodwind and brass instruments usually cost between $850.00-$3000.00 retail to purchase.\

• Portman's Music has the right to refuse acceptance of any instrument needing repair based on:

  • • • Instrument brand

      • Instrument quality (usually Chinese made or "toy" instruments)

      • Instrument not purchased or rented from Portman's Music Superstore

      • For questions regarding instrument repair, call 912.354.1500

• Gemeinhardt

• Yamaha

• Benjamin

• Armstrong  or Artley

• Selmer or Bundy

Clarinet

• Yamaha

• Buffet

• Benjamin

• Selmer or Bundy

• Armstrong or Artley

Oboe

• Fox

• Buffet

• Yamaha

• Selmer or Bundy

Saxophone

• Yamaha

• Conn, Armstrong, or UMI

• Benjamin

• Selmer or Bundy

• Jupiter

French Horn

• King

• Holton

• Yamaha

• Bach

Trumpet

• Yamaha

• Bach

• King

• Jupiter

• Benjamin

• Blessing

• Benge

• Conn

• Selmer or Bundy

Trombone

• Yamaha

• Bach

• King

• Jupiter

• Selmer or Bundy

• Blessing

Baritone

• Yamaha

• King

• Bach

• Jupiter

• Weril

Tuba

• Yamaha

• Jupiter

• King

• Bach

Percussion Kit 

• Pearl Percussion Kit (PK series with bells, practice pad, stand, sticks, mallets, and case) 

Students without previous Band experience should stop by Portman's Music (7650 Abercorn St, Savannah) in order to be tested/fitted for an instrument.

Students must have all required equipment necessary to begin playing in class by August 12, 2024.

Students will begin playing assignments in on Monday, August 12, 2024.

The deadline to notify the Band Director of your interest to join the Band class is Friday, August 9, 2024.

• Sometimes having an interest in playing a certain band instrument does not mean that a student will necessarily be successful at learning how to play the said instrument.  It is important that all students be tested for an instrument because we genuinely want each child  to be successful.

• There are many factors involved in selecting the correct instrument for a student. Some determining factors are:

  • • Natural ability for student to easily produce a sound.

    • Ability to imitate a steady rhythm and match pitch.

    • Shape and size of the student's face and mouth.

    • Physical size of the student.

• First, a Band Instrument Representative will give you a brief lesson on  how to produce a sound on each of the woodwind (Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone)  and brass (French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone, Tuba) instruments that are taught in Band.

• Next, the representative will  instruct you to blow on the instrument.  They will measure your natural ability to easily produce different sounds on each horn.

• Finally, the representative will help you and your parents decide which instrument will be best for you to learn based on the results of your tryout.

• Parents should take their potential Beginning Band student to Portman's Music Superstore in Savannah to be fitted for an instrument.  The address is:

Portman's Music

7650 Abercorn Street

Savannah, Ga

912.354.1500

• • No appointment is necessary for instrument testing/fitting.  Simply walk in and ask for a Band Instrument Representative to assist you in fitting your student to a Beginning Band Instrument.

  • There is no charge to be tested for any instrument.  Portman's offers free instrument testing to the community.

  • Students wanting to play percussion must be tested by the band director. 

• Now that you have decided which instrument to learn and play: 

  • 1. Secure an instrument through rental or purchase.  Purchasing an instrument at this level is not recommended at this time.

    2. Purchase the method books and accessories required for your instrument.

    3. If given the option to have your instrument and accessories delivered to the school (Portman's service only), have them delivered.  This way your student can be trained how to put together and care for the instrument before taking it out of the case and accidentally breaking or losing an important part .

    4. Email the your Band Director and let them know you have an instrument and all required books and accessories.  Your director can be reached at Richard.Jervis@sccpss.com

• It is not recommended that parents of Beginning Band students purchase an instrument at this time.  Here are a few reasons why you shouldn't buy now:

  • 1. Rental programs offer flexibility in returning or exchanging instruments.  

       1. • If you child decides he/she doesn't want participate in band anymore, simply return the instrument to the instrument dealer.

          • If your Band director suggests changing instruments, simply return the instrument to the instrument dealer.

          • You won't get stuck with an instrument your student doesn't play and need to sell it.

    2. Rental programs often include repair policies.

       1. • If your instrument needs repair (and it will), most rental contracts will include a repair policy that acts as a warranty.  This means the dealer will repair the instrument for no additional charge to you as long as it is not deemed that the instrument has been abused in some way.

          • School Band rentals are often repaired faster than instruments that are bought outright.  This means your student spends less time in class without an instrument and has less opportunities to fall behind.

          • If available, some dealers will give "loaner" instruments to students who's  instruments are in the shop for repair.  This is like getting a "courtesy vehicle" from your car dealer when work is required on your automobile.

    3. Apply accrued rent towards future purchase of a "step-up" instrument.

       1. • Some dealers offer special programs where you can apply one or two years paid rent toward the purchase of an intermediate or advanced level instrument.

• No.  You don't have to rent your instrument or purchase accessories from Portman's Music.  However, it will be to your advantage to do so.  Portman's Music is recommended for the following reasons:

  • • 1. Portman's is a local, family owned business with many years of experience servicing families and students Band instrument needs.

         • Local means community.  Local business pay  local taxes that in turn help support our community and students.

         • The Portman family gives back to local school band organizations by donating many instruments to schools each year for students in need.

         • Portman's Music has over 80 years of experience in the school Band Instrument business.  You don't stay in business that long if you don't know what you are doing.

      2. All Portman instruments are owned and repaired locally.

         • Many other instrument dealers do not own or repair their own instruments.  Instruments from other businesses needing maintenance  are often shipped off to different sites for repair.  This costs your student missed time in Band class and you money when your student does not even have the instrument in hand.  Why pay for a broken instrument if you don't even have it?

      3. Portman's is your One-Stop-Shop and has all your instrument and accessories needs covered.

         • Portman's works closely with all local Band Directors to make sure they have the items you need in stock when you need them.  No need to wait 2-5 days or even weeks for online retailers to ship you the books or reeds your student needs for Band class.  Portman's keeps what you need for Band on hand for you.

      4. . Portman's offers services other businesses do not.

         • Free delivery of rental instruments and accessories to schools for new Beginning Band students.

         • In store (local) repair facilities.

         • Free pickup (from school) of rental instruments needing repair.

         • Private lessons, small ensembles, and music camps for students.

         • Free startup lessons for new Beginning Band students.

• Band instruments made of quality materials and workmanship are not cheap.   If it seems cheap, it is because it is and you should not by it.

• Beware of online retailers (Music & Arts, Guitar Center, Amazon, Walmart, etc.), and pawn shops offering cheap instruments.  The instruments offered by these businesses are often not made of quality materials and break easily, are difficult to play in tune, and not easy to have repaired or replaced. 

• Pawn shops have no way of verifying if a used band instrument is in good playing condition.  Most often instruments sold in pawn shops are not well taken care of before they are sold to customers of the street.  For this reason, it is not recommended that you buy from a pawn shop unless you plan to potentially spend a lot of money on instrument repairs from a certified instrument repair technician before learning how to play.

• Do not use an instrument passed down from family members unless it has recently been checked by a certified instrument repair technician.  (No... Your father, husband, or uncle that is handy or "talented" with tools IS NOT  a certified instrument repair technician.)

• Portman's Music is a great place to take used instruments needing to be checked and maintained  for leaky pads, bad corks, mold, mildew, bugs, and other things that will potentially keep your instrument from working correctly.  However, be aware that taking old/used instruments bought from pawn shops to Portman's for repair may take some time to get back depending on the type of repiars needed.

• Do not purchase instruments that are colored.  They look nice, but are generally of not good quality.  These instruments are usually metal or plastic that have been painted red, blue, green, black, white, pink, or purple.

• Quality instruments are usually only offered in the following colors:

  • • Flute - silver or nickel plated.  Upper level instruments may offer gold keys, gold springs, or gold lip plates

    • Clarinets - resonite (black plastic) or wood

    • Oboe - resonite (black plastic) or wood

    • Saxophone - Gold lacquer or silver plated

    • French Horn - Gold lacquer, silver or nickel plated

    • Trumpet - Gold lacquer, silver or nickel plated

    • Trombone - Gold lacquer, silver or nickel plated

    • Baritone - Gold lacquer or silver plated

    • Tuba - Gold lacquer of silver plated

• Depending on the type of instrument, quality built band instruments usually cost between $850.00-$3000.00  retail to purchase.

• For a complete list of Director approved quality brand instruments, See the section titled Quality Brand Instruments.