Band
TIS THE SEASON…IT’S CONCERT TIME!:)
I am very happy to announce that the 2024-2025 VVCM Band Program will have its first performance event on Thursday, December 12th 2024. Our Winter Concert will take place inside the Multi-Purpose Room at VVCM. We will begin promptly at 6pm.
Our featured artists will include the Beginner (4th grade) Concert Band, the Intermediate (5th grade) Concert Band, the Middle School (6-8th grade) Concert Band, and the Middle School (6-8th grade) Jazz Band.
There will be a mandatory Dress Rehearsal after school the day prior to the concert on Wednesday, December 11th from 1:30-3:00pm. The location will be the same as the concert. Concert attire will not be required for the Dress Rehearsal (please see below for more information regarding concert attire).
Similar to past years, I am looking for a few parent volunteers to assist me with band students on both the Dress Rehearsal and the Winter Concert times/
Below are a few very important matters regarding Concert Band Attire and Instrument Preparation:
1) Concert attire for all Concert Band students- white button dress shirt or blouse, black dress pants or skirt, and black dress shoes. Ties, vests and/or suits are optional.
2) Concert Band student arrival time for the concert is 5:30pm.
3) Please be sure that your child has their instrument and music.
4) If your child plays the clarinet or alto saxophone-Please be sure that your child has extra reeds in their instrument case. Additionally, please be sure that your child applies cork grease to all cork ends on their instrument prior to the Dress Rehearsal.
5) If your child plays the trumpet or trombone-Please be sure that your child applies valve oil/slide oil to all valves or slide prior to the Dress Rehearsal.
6) If your child plays the snare drum-Please be sure that your child has an extra pair of drum sticks with them.
Jazz Band Attire:
1) White button dress shirt or blouse, black dress pants or skirt, and black dress shoes.
2) Jazz Band student arrival time for the concert is 5:00pm. Please contact me (email is best) if you have any questions or concerns. I look forward to seeing everyone on December 12th, 2024 for our Winter Concert!
Tis the season!
Welcome to the VVCM Band Program! We’re so happy that you’re here.
All VVCM students in grades 4-8 can join our growing band program.
If your child is interested in joining our band program PLEASE FILL OUT THE
GOOGLE BAND INTEREST FORM (see the right side of this page). This is for past
band students as well. It will provide me with a current student list & parental
contact information.
We have four (4) bands at VVCM.
1) 4th Grade Beginner Concert Band
This is our first year band at VVCM. All beginner band students will focus on music
basics, which will include learning how to read music and how to play an
instrument.
2) 5th Grade Intermediate Concert Band
This is our second year band at VVCM. It is a continuation of year one with a focus
on understanding and applying new music theory, developing new instrumental
techniques, and performing an intermediate level of music selections.
3) Middle School Concert Band (Grades 6-8)
This is our advanced band for middle school students at VVCM. There is a
strong focus on developing extended music theory and instrumental
techniques, and taking on much more challenging music selections which will
include varying time signatures/key signatures, along with longer selections of
music.
4) Middle School Jazz Band (Grades 6-8)
The focus of our jazz band is to learn and perform jazz standards with
improvisational solos. Depending on the number of students that are interested in
joining the jazz band, auditions may be required.
What instruments can I choose from?
Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, and Snare Drum.
Where do I get my instrument?
a) Music stores will rent instruments: Tague Music & El Dorado Hills Music.
b) Purchase an instrument (new or used).
Are there any other items that I will need?
Music Method Book – Sound Innovations Book 1 (4th & 5th grade).
Music Method Book – Sound Innovations Book 2 (6-8th grade).
Clarinets and Alto Saxophones will need reeds (size 1.5 or 2) & cork grease.
Trumpets and Trombones will need valve oil, slide grease & slide oil.
Drummers will need 2 pairs of drum sticks (size 5A or 7A).
VVCM BAND SCHEDULE FOR 2024-2025
4th Grade Beginner Concert Band students will have sectional classes two times
per week:
Monday- flutes and clarinets
Tuesday- alto saxophones and trumpet
Wednesday- trombones and snare drums
Thursday- flutes & clarinets combined, and alto saxophones
Friday- trumpets & trombones combined, and snare drums
5th Grade Intermediate Concert Band students will have sectional classes one
time per week:
Monday- flutes
Tuesday- clarinets
Wednesday- alto saxophones
Thursday- trumpets and trombones combined
Friday- snare drums
Middle School Concert Band students will meet every day Monday through Friday
at period 8. Rehearsals will begin promptly at 7:25am. All students are expected to
arrive by 7:20am in order to allow time for set up.
Middle School Jazz Band will meet once per week on Wednesday afternoons from
1:15-2pm. Some weeks an additional rehearsal will be added. Additional
rehearsals will meet on Fridays from 2:15-3pm.
I’m here to help pass along the joy of making music to all of our students!:)
Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.
Anthony Carafone
VVCM Band Director
Email: acarafone@buckeyeusd.org