Beginning Band for the 2020-2021 School Year
Parents and Students:
In order to appropriately address the current COVID-19 concerns and ensure that our students receive the best music education possible during this unprecedented time it has been decided that we will not offer beginning band for the 2020-2021 school year. Unfortunately beginning band is not an environment that is conducive to good social distancing practices, requires quite a bit more hands-on help than we can currently provide in the COVID-19 climate, and cannot effectively be taught in an online environment should that need arise. Instead we will offer a general music class open to 6th graders that will help provide a solid base of music knowledge and make them that much more ready to take on a role in the LMS Band program when we are able to get back to playing music.
We will plan to offer beginning band at both the 6th and 7th grade levels next year so your student will not miss out on being in the band program.
If you would like your child to start an instrument on their own I would highly recommend contacting our local music store, The Tune Shop. They offer instruments for sale and rent, and they have a staff of qualified instrument instructors that are available to teach your student privately. This would be a great time to also encourage music making on instruments that do not require air to be played, such as guitar or bass. While those are not standard instruments in our band program the knowledge gained from studying those instruments will be a great base for when your student is able to pick up a brass or woodwind instrument for band next year.
This was not an easy decision to make but one that we feel is best for the safety of our students, our instructors, and our school community at this time. Your LMS and LHS instrumental music directors are committed to continuing to provide the top notch music education for which we are known. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact Mrs. Jones at becky.jones@usd469.net.
Mrs. Becky Jones
Director of Bands, Lansing Middle School
Assistant Director of Bands, Lansing High School