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About UsWhat is band, you ask? If you sign up for band, it will be one of the biggest (if not the biggest) teams you have ever played for! Band is awesome because everyone gets to play all the time - you are all "starters"! Band is fun because you get to learn to play an instrument (which really benefits your brain!), you get to learn awesome music, you get to participate in fun school activities like concerts, and best of all, you get work with lots of different people! The reason Mr. Hinman continues to do band is because of all the wonderful people he has met while doing band. If you're not sure whether to sign up, just DO IT and see for yourself! :-)
If you are curious about the various instruments offered for beginning band, please check out the webpages for each instrument, the YouTube videos on those pages, and you can read more here. |
Frequently Asked Questions |
Q: Do I need to have any music experience to join band?
A: You can show up on the first day not knowing anything about reading music and be just fine! Prior experience certainly helps, but is not required. Q: Do I need an instrument when the school year starts? A: You are not required to have an instrument when school starts. Information about getting an instrument will be presented in class the first few days of school, as well as at a parent informational meeting in August (date TBD). Q: Where can I get an instrument? A: There are several musical instrument retailers that offer rent-to-own programs for whatever instrument you choose! You pay a monthly price for your instrument until it is paid off, and then it is yours, or you can choose to upgrade to a nicer one! It is highly encouraged that parents/guardians get students an instrument of their own - kids have a higher sense of pride and ownership in their instrument when this happens, and the instruments are generally in better condition! Q: What are the instrument retailers that are available? A: Kolacny (Ko-lass-nee) Music (www.kolacnymusic.com, 1900 S Broadway, Denver, CO 80210) and Music and Arts Centers (www.musicarts.com, 5158 S. Broadway, Englewood, CO 80113) have good relationships with Chaparral. There are several other options available, so please ask Mr. Hinman if you have questions. Q: I found a total steal of a price on an instrument - what should I do? A: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is! A $100 flute you find on eBay or Amazon is likely made with very cheap parts that a local repair shop does not stock. A little bit of extra money in the initial investment on an instrument can go a long way in the long run if the instrument is well taken care of. Remember, you get what you pay for, so choose wisely! Mr. Hinman is always available to answer questions you might have regarding instrument purchases. Q: What if I can't afford to rent an instrument? A: One thing Mr. Hinman will never endorse is not allowing a student to participate in band because his or her family cannot afford an instrument. There are a limited number of school instruments available for students to rent from the school. Please know that these instruments in many cases are as old as the school is and, as a result, are "well loved", meaning the instruments will not be in the best condition. Mr. Hinman will make every effort to find an instrument for every student to use, so please do not shy away from signing up for band if finding an instrument is a concern for you and your family. |