New Students & FAQs

Welcome to the Brogden MS Band! Here you will find all the information you need for the 2023-2024 school year!

Frequently Asked Questions

What do we do in band?
​In class we will start by learning how to read music and picking an instrument. Once we do that, we will start learning how to make a good sound on the instrument and play some notes. Then we can start playing different songs together in class. After we learn some music we can give a concert for our friends and family to hear. By the end of the year, our band will be so good that we can go compete for the high score at a band contest.
Do I already have to know how to play an instrument?
No! Most band members have never played an instrument before they join band. In Beginning Band, you learn ALL the basics! After trying the instruments you can pick the one that's right for you.
Can I be in sports and band?
Yes! It is possible to do band and sports at the same time! Many band members are involved in sports, either at school or in the community. In fact, there are band members on every sports team at Brogden MS.
Is band expensive?
Band is for everyone regardless of financial situation. All payments can be made in installments and financial assistance is available. Here is a breakdown of the costs you can expect when you join band (all costs are estimates):
  • Instrument
    • New instrument purchase - $1000
    • New instrument rental/rent-to-own - $30/month
    • Used instrument + cleaning & repair - $250 + $100
    • School-owned instrument (limited supply, priority given to students from low-income households) - $25 cleaning fee
  • Band T-shirt - $10
  • Essential Elements for Band Book 1 (Beginners only) - $10
  • Band trip
    • Riverside Music Festival/Frankie's Fun Park - $40 (Beginners)
    • Carowinds Festival of Music - $60 (Intermediate & Advanced)
What instruments can I choose from?
We offer flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, and percussion as beginner instruments. After one year of experience, some students may switch to a secondary instrument like tuba, saxophone, French horn, or euphonium.​
How do I choose an instrument?
There are three factors to consider when it comes to choosing an instrument.
  1. First is whether or not it is an instrument you want to play! No one wants to play an instrument they don't like.
  2. Second, some instruments come more naturally to some people than others. Anyone can play any instrument, but we want to find one that is a good fit for you so you can improve even faster!
  3. The third factor is making sure that the band has a good combination of instruments. We won't sound very good if we have thirty flutes and no trombones!
Changing your instrument after starting is rare, and will put you far behind the rest of the class. Most people who switch instruments in the middle of the year never catch up! Because of this, instrument switches are only done in special situations.
How do I get an instrument?
We will start playing instruments in class on the third week of school. You have three options when it comes to getting an instrument.
  1. Buy/rent a new instrument.
  2. Buy a used instrument. (recommended)
  3. Borrow a school-owned instrument

​School-owned instruments come with a once-per-year cleaning fee of $25. The supply of school-owned instruments is limited, and priority will be given to students from low-income households.

If you choose to purchase an instrument, be mindful that there are many instrument brands out there that seem like a good bargain but are actually a terrible product. They will never sound right no matter how much you practice and they won't last very long. A good brand might be more expensive, but it will last forever if you take care of it. Music & Arts and Hill's Music Shop are good places to find new/used instruments. They have flexible payment options, new/used instrument rentals, free instrument exchanges, and rent-to-own arrangements. There are also other local retailers that your band director can recommend.

Online retailers like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist can have great deals if you know what to look for. Please consult your director if you have any questions about getting an instrument. I am more than happy to look over any instrument before you purchase it.
What are some good instrument brands?
Here are some recommended brands:
  • Flute - Yamaha (silver or nickel), Gemeinhardt, Artley, Selmer, Jupiter
  • Clarinet - Yamaha (black plastic or wood), Buffet, Selmer, Bundy, Vito
  • Trumpet - Yamaha, Bach, King, Jupiter
  • Trombone - Yamaha, Bach, King, Jupiter
  • Percussion - Yamaha, Pearl, Ludwig
WHAT Do I wear for a concert?
We wear concert black attire for the Winter Concert, MPA Preview Concert, Music Performance Assessment (MPA), and Spring Concert. Here are some examples of concert black:
The following articles are not acceptable as concert attire: sweatpants, t-shirts, jeans, tennis shoes/sneakers/crocs, and shorts.
​For all other performances we will wear our yearly band t-shirt.

Required Materials

All Instruments
  • 3-Ring Binder
  • 10-20 Page Protectors
  • Pencil
  • Concert attire (all-black)
Flutes
Clarinets
Trumpets
Trombones
Percussion
Saxophone