Beginner's Welcome... Beginning a student's instrumental experience in high School.
In the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS), students are offered the opportunity to participate in instrumental music (Strings) beginning in the 3rd grade. Instruction on a band instrument begins in the 4th grade. The focus of instrumental instruction during these elementary school years is on the individual development of basic skills and techniques at a rudimentary level. The focus is on the individual. In middle school, this focus begins to move towards the students performing together as an ensemble. The majority of instructional time (85%) is spent working with the students in a large ensemble of 50+ musicians. In high school, the instructional time is almost always in the large ensemble. Many programs do not start beginners after the 5th grade. At Mt. Hebron HS, the band director(s) are happy to include students interested in beginning a band instrument, even if they are just beginning their instrumental experience.
Students interested in joining the band as a beginner should contact the band director ASAP. Students will be required to rent or purchase an instrument and obtain the required accessories and instructional materials. Students that are interested in the larger instruments (i.e. Tuba, Euphonium, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Baritone Saxophone) may have the instrument supplied by the Director. Beginner students will be graded on a modified list of expectations until they reach grade level.
Due to the nature of the limited contact/instructional time, private instruction is STRONGLY ENCOURAGED! to reinforce the daily instruction. Your director may require private instruction in order to begin some instruments. Please click HERE for a complete list of qualified Private Instructors.
Learning a musical instrument requires a considerable amount of hard work, energy and diligent practice. While not every student succeeds, the majority go on to have outstanding musical experiences in high school and throughout the rest of their lives.
CAUTION: Beginning an instrument in high school is designed for the highly motivated student who has a burning desire to learn a musical instrument. It is a serious undertaking, requiring an investment of time, effort, energy, and money that should not be entered into lightly. If you have any questions regarding this unique opportunity, please do not hesitate to contact the director.
In the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS), students are offered the opportunity to participate in instrumental music (Strings) beginning in the 3rd grade. Instruction on a band instrument begins in the 4th grade. The focus of instrumental instruction during these elementary school years is on the individual development of basic skills and techniques at a rudimentary level. The focus is on the individual. In middle school, this focus begins to move towards the students performing together as an ensemble. The majority of instructional time (85%) is spent working with the students in a large ensemble of 50+ musicians. In high school, the instructional time is almost always in the large ensemble. Many programs do not start beginners after the 5th grade. At Mt. Hebron HS, the band director(s) are happy to include students interested in beginning a band instrument, even if they are just beginning their instrumental experience.
Students interested in joining the band as a beginner should contact the band director ASAP. Students will be required to rent or purchase an instrument and obtain the required accessories and instructional materials. Students that are interested in the larger instruments (i.e. Tuba, Euphonium, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Baritone Saxophone) may have the instrument supplied by the Director. Beginner students will be graded on a modified list of expectations until they reach grade level.
Due to the nature of the limited contact/instructional time, private instruction is STRONGLY ENCOURAGED! to reinforce the daily instruction. Your director may require private instruction in order to begin some instruments. Please click HERE for a complete list of qualified Private Instructors.
Learning a musical instrument requires a considerable amount of hard work, energy and diligent practice. While not every student succeeds, the majority go on to have outstanding musical experiences in high school and throughout the rest of their lives.
CAUTION: Beginning an instrument in high school is designed for the highly motivated student who has a burning desire to learn a musical instrument. It is a serious undertaking, requiring an investment of time, effort, energy, and money that should not be entered into lightly. If you have any questions regarding this unique opportunity, please do not hesitate to contact the director.
