Common Worries/Questions about joining band

Does Band take up too much time?  

Band is a class during the school day.  There are typically 4 concerts per school year and 7th grade students are only required to practice 10 minutes per day at home.  This builds gradually to 20 minutes per day at home in our top group.  A lot of our most advanced band students are also participating in AP classes, competitive sports and other time consuming things and year after year manage to make everything work. 

My Student has zero musical experience and/or musical talent.  Can they learn an instrument?

7th grade is the time we start our beginners in Alpine School District.  We start each instrument from the very beginning and work to get everyone started out right so they feel confident and comfortable on their instrument as soon as possible.  We offer a summer band to help our new students get kids started off right.  If your student has already played their instrument they can choose to take beginning band again for a better foundation or audition to bump up to a higher band like Symphonic band or Wind Symphony

Getting Started: 

1.  Read the "Getting Started!" form above.

2.  Sign-up for band when the counselors come to your school

3. Attend one of our instrument Selection Nights in April (see the "Getting Started!" form above).  You will get instrument and supply info from Mr. Crosby at selection night.

4. After approving the instrument with Mr. Crosby get an instrument and the needed supplies at a quality music store such as Summerhayes Music or Bert Murdock Music.  Mr. Crosby highly recommends Yamaha instruments.  (careful, there are fake Yamaha's out there).  From one of those two music store if possible.  Please remember that band is like a football team and we need every position to have a quality team.  Please come to instrument selection night or get your instrument approved with Mr. Crosby so we can make sure we all know each other and so that our band has all the needed positions.  

5. If possible attend Summer Band (See "Getting Started" Form above).  

Percussion: Audition form will be emailed out after registration.