Shelby City Schools - BAND

Instrumental Music Dept.
MENU		HOMEPAGE
Shelby Band FAQ Alumni Band Info	Frequently Asked Questions Q. When Can I become a member of the Shelby Whippet Band? A. A band director will come to talk to your classroom during May of your fifth grade year. Students begin lessons on their instrument during June. Q. How many students are in band? A. This varies from year to year and grade to grade, however the 6th grade band usually has from 80 to 100 members. 80 for 7th grade, 70 for 8th grade. The High School band ranges from 130 to 180 from grades 9-12. The largest Shelby band occurred in 1986, with 185 members Q. Who will be my teacher? A. Well, technically the three band directors work as a team to teach all grade levels of band, however the responsibilities are as follows. Symphonic band is directed by Mrs. Baker. Concert Band is directed by Mr. Day. Mr. Day also directs the 8th grade band. Mr. Mayer directs the 7th grade band. (Mr. Mayer, also directs 8th grade choir). The elementary schools are divided up among all three. Mrs. Baker teaches Dowds and Russell bands, Mr. Mayer teaches at Auburn school and Mr. Day teaches at Central and St. Mary schools. Q. I don't know how to play and instrument, can I be in band? A. Absolutely. Most of our new band members have never played an instrument. We will start you out on a new instrument and teach you how to play. Q. Can I be in Sports and still be in band? A. Boy am I glad you asked this one. YES Yes Yes!!!! Not only can you be in sports and play in the band. We encourage you to get as involved in school as possible. We have Varsity football players in band, Basketball players, cheerleaders, baseball, softball, cross-country, and track. The Shelby Whippet Band is made up of students in every activity possible. If someone tells you that you can't be in something because of band, it is false! Q. I heard that some instruments are limited, is that true? A. Yes, it is true that we limit the number of certain instruments. This is due to what in the musical world is called, "Instrumentation". In order to have a "balanced" band, it is not possible to have too many of certain instruments. For example a band with 5 trumpets, 2 clarinets and 37 drummers, probably wouldn't be too balanced. In order to keep these numbers in check, we generally limit the number of Percussionists (drummers), Flute players and Saxophone players. Q. So..... then, what if I don't make it on my first choice of instrument? A. Well, if after the evalutions take place at the end of June, you are not selected to play the drum, flute or saxophone, you can come back in the middle of August to catch up on the Trumpet, Clarinet or the Trombone.

	Shelby Senior High School Lisa Baker, Director Bryan Day, Director Tim Mayer, Director Lynn Love, Flag Corps advisor
Last updated: February 26, 2002 Shelby City Schools - ALL Rights Reserved Copyright© 2001 Click on this link to reach the SCS-Webmaster

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. When Can I become a member of the Shelby Whippet Band?
A. A band director will come to talk to your classroom during May of your fifth grade year. Students begin lessons on their instrument during June.

Q. How many students are in band?
A. This varies from year to year and grade to grade, however the 6th grade band usually has from 80 to 100 members. 80 for 7th grade, 70 for 8th grade. The High School band ranges from 130 to 180 from grades 9-12. The largest Shelby band occurred in 1986, with 185 members

Q. Who will be my teacher?
A. Well, technically the three band directors work as a team to teach all grade levels of band, however the responsibilities are as follows. Symphonic band is directed by Mrs. Baker. Concert Band is directed by Mr. Day. Mr. Day also directs the 8th grade band. Mr. Mayer directs the 7th grade band. (Mr. Mayer, also directs 8th grade choir). The elementary schools are divided up among all three. Mrs. Baker teaches Dowds and Russell bands, Mr. Mayer teaches at Auburn school and Mr. Day teaches at Central and St. Mary schools.

Q. I don't know how to play and instrument, can I be in band?
A. Absolutely. Most of our new band members have never played an instrument. We will start you out on a new instrument and teach you how to play.

Q. Can I be in Sports and still be in band?
A. Boy am I glad you asked this one. YES Yes Yes!!!! Not only can you be in sports and play in the band. We encourage you to get as involved in school as possible. We have Varsity football players in band, Basketball players, cheerleaders, baseball, softball, cross-country, and track. The Shelby Whippet Band is made up of students in every activity possible. If someone tells you that you can't be in something because of band, it is false!

Q. I heard that some instruments are limited, is that true?
A. Yes, it is true that we limit the number of certain instruments. This is due to what in the musical world is called, "Instrumentation". In order to have a "balanced" band, it is not possible to have too many of certain instruments. For example a band with 5 trumpets, 2 clarinets and 37 drummers, probably wouldn't be too balanced. In order to keep these numbers in check, we generally limit the number of Percussionists (drummers), Flute players and Saxophone players.

Q. So..... then, what if I don't make it on my first choice of instrument?
A. Well, if after the evalutions take place at the end of June, you are not selected to play the drum, flute or saxophone, you can come back in the middle of August to catch up on the Trumpet, Clarinet or the Trombone.