5th Grade Band

5th Grade Band is where the roots of our band program take shape. Students are taught to read and count music as well as how to play woodwind, brass, or percussion instruments. Students may choose between playing flute, oboe, clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, and percussion. Music theory, improvisation and history are introduced and students are given the opportunity to participate in chamber music and private lessons in addition to their full band activities.

Welcome to Band-2023-2024 letter

Please read through the letter below to learn more about the instrument selection process. You have a few steps to complete to finalize your enrollment.

Dear parents:

We have some exciting news! We are now approved to host an instrument selection night for current 4th grade students who are registered for our 2023-2024 beginning band class.

This message will outline the ZWMS Band instrument selection process, as well as give a timeline for when each step should be completed.

Step 1: Student Evaluation (Please Complete the form at the bottom of the website by Tuesday, April 11)

Watch all the instrument demonstration videos on ZWMSbands.org
Please remember that having a balanced instrumentation for an ensemble is very important; for example, a band with 50 percussionists would not sound right AND we don’t have enough instruments at school to accommodate that many percussionists. Please keep an open mind about what instruments you are interested in playing. We need good musicians on all instruments to sound our best as a group!

Step 2: Complete the ZWMS Band Instrument Selection form (linked on Step 2 on the website.)

Fill out the “ZWMS Band Instrument Selection Form” linked at the bottom of the website page to indicate your first, second, and third instrument choices. These forms will be used to prepare for the Instrument Selection Appointments.

Step 3: Instrument Selection Appointment (Register on sign-up genius here please complete this step by Tuesday, April 11th)

Appointments will be held on Tuesday, April 18th and Wednesday, April 19th. Please sign-up for an appointment time.
Each incoming band student and parent(s) will report to ZWMS West Hall (enter through Door 4) to have an opportunity to see different instruments and try mouthpieces to determine which instrument best fits their interests and physical characteristics.
Band directors and representatives from Paige’s Music will be available to answer questions about instrument rentals. You will learn how to obtain an instrument for your child and when you leave the meeting, your child will be officially enrolled in the band!

Step 4: Sign up for summer camp

We will host a ZWMS beginning band clinic for all incoming 5th grade band students July 24-28.
Register here

Some points to consider

Most of our band and orchestra families rent-to-own their children’s instruments through Paige’s Music, and some families decide to look for instruments elsewhere
If you decide to acquire your band musician’s instrument through Paige’s Music, then it will come with their band book, cleaning kit, and other required items
If you plan on acquiring your band musician’s instrument from somewhere other than Paige’s Music, please do not do so without consulting with a band director—this will ensure that your band musician’s instrument will be of good quality and will be worth your investment (when instruments are priced unbelievably low on Amazon or at Wal-Mart, Meijer, Sam’s Club, or Costco—it’s for a reason! These cheap instruments are very poorly made and will break and need to be replaced, and they are a waste of your money!)
If you are unable to attend the summer camp, don’t worry! We will help you get started during the school year.
If you are not able to attend an Instrument Selection Appointment, please contact Mrs. Granlund to learn how to proceed with the selection process

Now for the fun part! With your help, you get to be the “Sorting Hat” and figure out if your son or daughter is going to be in Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin...but with instruments!

Put on your sorting hat and start completing Step 1 by watching the videos.

Kind regards-

Candi Granlund, Band Director, ZWMS

Liz Leatherberry, Band Director, ZWMS

Step 1-Watch the Instrument Demonstration Videos

Please watch the videos below to help select an instrument to play. Please watch all of the videos-even those for instruments you are not as familiar with! We need a balance of all instruments in the band to sound good. After you have watched the videos, please fill out the form linked below.

Flute

Oboe

Clarinet

Alto Saxophone

Tenor Saxophone-larger version of the saxophone which sounds lower than the alto

Trumpet

Horn

Trombone

Euphonium

Percussion-Please note that ZWMS percussionists will be required to learn all percussion instruments, not just "drums". Students will begin with a semester on mallets before testing to move on to learn snare.

Step 2-Instrument Selection form

Complete the form to indicate your preferences for an instrument.

Step 3-Selection appointments

Step 4-Register for summer camp

We will host a ZWMS beginning band clinic for all incoming 5th grade band students July 24-28.
Register here

Step 5-Obtain an instrument

Most of our band and orchestra families rent-to-own their children’s instruments through Paige’s Music, and some families decide to look for instruments elsewhere.
If you decide to acquire your band musician’s instrument through Paige’s Music, then it will come with their band book, cleaning kit, and other required items (Please order by Wednesday, July 12th, so that Paige’s can process and deliver your order to ZWMS in a timely fashion prior to camp).
If you plan on acquiring your band musician’s instrument from somewhere other than Paige’s Music, please do not do so without contacting Mrs. Granlund cgranlund@zcs.k12.in.us . She can provide very important information on what instruments to consider and which to avoid—this will ensure that your band musician’s instrument will be of good quality and will be worth your investment (when instruments are priced unbelievably low on Amazon or at Wal-Mart, Meijer, Sam’s Club, or Costco—it’s for a reason! These cheap instruments are very poorly made and will break and need to be replaced, and they are a waste of your money!)

Paige's Music makes it easy for you to provide your child with the best chance to succeed in school music. They do this by renting, selling and servicing teacher-approved band and orchestra instruments.

3 Easy Steps To Get Your Debut Beginning Rental

STEP 1:

Complete A Rental Package Application
You can do this at your school instrument display night, on our website, or in our store in Indianapolis.

STEP 2:

Your instrument is delivered to your school.
Your instrument, accessories, and all of your supplies for class are delivered to your student’s school with their name tag attached, reserved just for them.

STEP 3:

Make Monthly Payments
Rent your instrument until you own it, or return it, it’s up to you. You can return at any time or exchange to another instrument. 100% of all your payments will apply towards ownership.