Teaching leadership, moving minds, and inspiring a generation, one note at a time
Join The WFMS Band
YOU ARE INVITED!
Join The West Fairmont Middle School Beginning Band
The Perfect Choice For Raising Student Performance
Dear Parents,
This letter comes to you as an open invitation to you and your child to join the WFMS Band. The enclosed information provides what is needed for your child to become a band member. West Fairmont Middle has a great band program with remarkable performances, an excellent reputation, and great numbers of students who join and continue to be members of our fantastic band program. Now’s the time to sign up and have your child become a proud member of the West Fairmont Middle School Band Program.
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Studies show that students who STUDY and PRACTICE music have all around higher aptitudes and do better academically. Students also involved in music are taught a high level of cooperation and self-discipline and are less likely to engage in negative behaviors. Do not miss this positive opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument and be in the band!
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Following is basic information on how to enroll in the WFMS Beginning Band in 6th Grade for next year. It all starts here and now.
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INSTRUMENT DEMONSTRATION VIDEO: Please watch THIS VIDEO and get an idea of which instruments you would like to learn to play.
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STUDENT ENROLLMENT: The West Fairmont Middle School Band is currently enrolling next year’s 6th grade students (current 5th grade) for the 2020 - 21 Middle School Beginning Band Program. Please see the attached Beginning Band Enrollment Response Form.
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INSTRUMENT FITTINGS: Students who return a “YES” Response on their Enrollment Form will begin instrument fittings starting Monday, August 24th from 6pm-8pm. All students enrolling are requested to have an instrument fitting even if you think you already know what instrument you would like to play. This instrument fitting helps to ensure students start on an instrument that is not a physical mismatch. In preparation, students are asked to think of a 1st choice and 2nd choice instrument they would like. We will begin there.
The instrument fitting is where the student gets to try different instruments under sterilized conditions and under the supervision of a current and retired band directors who will observe how the child most naturally adapts to the instruments and will make a recommendation for an instrument choice - and sometimes an instrument to stay away from if it appears difficult for that child. We would like to establish our best chances for success. Bandland Music LLC provides this service. The retired band directors will report how each student does and the instrument recommended. The Bandland Music representative will also make available information on their instrument rental /purchase program. You do not have to rent an instrument from Bandland Music, but please take advantage of the fitting as part of the whole beginning band process. Students will try the instruments at this time and parents are encouraged to attend and observe the fitting process as well. This would be a good time to ask any questions that come to mind.
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INSTRUMENT SELECTION: Many families utilize the Bandland Music “rent to own” program but you do not have to. You may acquire an instrument from any source you wish. Some other sources are: Fawley Music in Morgantown, used instruments, the school has some instruments available to check out for a small user fee (these are primarily for band instrumentation development but might be a possibility) e-bay and amazon. At any rate, please be careful about the (made in China) brands being sold at local big merchandizing outlets. These have proven to be a disaster. They break quickly and the repair technicians often can’t repair them because the repairs do not hold or replacement parts are not available. A brand name used instrument in good condition is an excellent choice if you can find one that falls into the “instrument fitting” recommendation range of choices. If you need help in evaluating a used instrument, contact me and leave a message at the info below. I will be glad to help check condition, quality brand, identify any repairs that might be needed.
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Mrs. Rachel Mushnick, Director
West Fairmont Middle School
(304) 366-5631
Mr. John Schneider, Director
Fairmont Senior High School
304-367-2150
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West Faimont Middle School
Beginning Band Check List 2020 - 2021
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HOW TO JOIN THE BAND - April 24, 2020
Beginning Band information letters distributed to 5th grade students
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COMPLETE ENROLLMENT FORMS BY – Friday, May 8, 2020
All 5th grade students watch this instrument demonstration video and complete this Enrolment Form
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SCHOOL STARTS - YOU’RE IN THE BAND ! ! !
Wednesday, August 19 - First Day of School
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INSTRUMENT FITTING – Monday, August 24th from 6:00pm-8:00pm
Try before you buy. Establish a fitting appointment at WFMS Band room with Mr. Schneider and Mrs. Mushnick
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ACQUIRE AN INSTRUMENT
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