Coghlan | Fort Langley | North Otter | Peterson Road | Wix-Brown
ONLINE elementary BAND REGISTRATION

You can register by returning or emailing a scan of the hard-copy registration handed out at school and emailed home, or you can register online here:

ONLINE REGISTRATION – https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/kJAm2YGGUG

Spring 2025 Welcome Letter – Hard Copies Distributed at school

Dear Grade 5 and 6 Parents from Coghlan, Fort Langley, North Otter, Peterson Road, and Wix-Brown,

We are very excited to let you know that next year’s grade 6 and 7 students will have the opportunity to take Band again in 2025|26. Students select Grade 6/7 Band or another Fine Arts/Music option at their school, still to be determined. We look forward to working with both beginning and experienced musicians next fall culminating some of the great activities that grow out of learning an instrument including concerts, festivals, and performing in DW Poppy’s ESPRESSIVO: Summer Celebration

 Beyond experiencing the joy of making music, involvement in band develops of a group of friends that lasts a lifetime and establishes some rather profound environmental influences which will help determine many of your child’s successes in school well beyond music. We know that engaged band students represent the top of the academic scale in school, they average higher scores on SAT tests, indicating stronger verbal and math skills. We also know that most band students enjoy a successful academic high school career, go on to post-secondary education and become the leaders in our society. Membership in band is one of the most positive experiences you can offer your child, helping nurture and develop self-discipline, social and communication skills, positive self-image, cooperation and creativity through their study of music. It is an investment in your child’s future as these life-skills will be an important foundation for the various responsibilities they take on later in life.

You can register through the DW Poppy Music website online at http://dwpoppymusic.com/elementaryband/, complete the attached registration form and return it to your child’s school by Thursday, June 5, or scan and email it to mfollett@sd35.bc.ca. If your child participated in band as a grade 6 this year, I encourage students to continue with their previous instrument, but if they would like to switch, please let me know so we can make the move that best improves your child’s chance of success.

Mark Follett (DW Poppy Band, Jazz and Elementary Band Teacher | Elementary Band Coordinator)

mfollett@sd35.bc.ca

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
  1. Do I have to know how to play an instrument to join?

No. As most students who join band in grade 6 do not know how to play an instrument, we will “start at the very beginning.” If you have experience, this will be a plus as you may find it easier to learn your band instrument. so let us know. For those students who are experienced, we will be moving ahead quickly and will aim to challenge you throughout the year as well!

  1. Can I participate in sports and band?

Yes, students can participate in band and sports! Band will be part of the regular schedule of classes and will not conflict with athletics. Many of DW Poppy’s top athletes are also members of the music program. We have many musicians involved in athletics. When occasionally conflicts arise around our concerts, we work with both the student and the coaches to come up with a workable solution for the team, the band and the student.

  1. When are rehearsals and how much practicing should I do?

Rehearsals take place twice a week during regular school hours. On non-band days, students should be brining instruments home and should practice for 10-15 minutes per day (on average) to prepare for the next rehearsal

  1. How often does the Band perform?

We perform three concerts during the year: a winter concert at your child’s school in December, a spring concert at DW Poppy in March before spring break, and a final concert with all the bands and choirs in DW Poppy’s school community at ESPRESSIVO: Summer Celebration

  1. How do I choose an instrument?

Instrument choices are made based on the student’s interest, physical characteristics, and balancing instruments in the band (like playing positions on a team). I will help with your child’s final decision, taking each factor into account, but please let me know if there are any concerns along with way.

  1. When and how should I get an instrument?

You will need your instrument by the second week of September. We strongly encourage renting instruments for the first year from Tapestry Music (as they do online rentals with delivery and pickup) or Long & McQuade (located in Langley). Information will be included with your child’s instrument assignment letter in June so you can organize your rental. DO NOT ORDER FROM AMAZON! Amazon instruments are cheap, but they don’t work very well, break easily and cannot be repaired.

  1. What costs are associated with elementary band.

Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet and Trombone rentals start between usually start around $20 per month. Saxophone and Baritone rentals start around $35 per month. Students will also need to purchase a method book (Sound Innovations Book 1 – about $15) and a folding wire music stand for home practice (about $20). Clarinet and saxophone players will need reeds, which cost around $25 for a box of 10 Rico Royale #2.5 reeds, which should last the year. For students that cannot afford to rent/purchase an instrument, there may be some other options available. Please contact me if you have any concerns as I want to make sure that every interested student can participate in band.

  1. Can I use or purchase a used instrument?

Sometimes you can find a good deal on a used instrument, or you may have one available from family or friends. If you want to play a used instrument, it is essential to have it checked over by a reliable repair technician before starting. An instrument in poor repair will be frustrating and discourage even the most enthusiastic student, so we recommend you have us check the instrument over first and then take it in to Long & McQuade Music or Tom Lee Music here in Langley for a tune up before September.

BEGINNER VIDEO LESSONS:

Beginner Lessons for all instruments! Dr. Steve Selfridge (https://www.drselfridgemusic.com) is an amazing band director who has shared a huge number of video lessons on Youtube. Here are beginning lessons for each instrument. I highly recommend spending some time on these for your instrument!