Meet Your Band Director, Mrs. Amy Syversen
How Does Band Work at DOES?
Fourth AND Fifth graders at Dayton Oaks Elementary School have the opportunity to join the band! Band students take part in a variety of musical activities designed to help them develop musical skills. Students do not need prior musical knowledge or experience to join the DOES band. Performing in band gives band students so much more than just musical training. Band students learn cooperation and teamwork, commitment and responsibility, tolerance and acceptance, as well as perseverance and self-discipline. Performing with a group that plays well also helps build self-esteem, confidence and pride in accomplishment. Most importantly, being in the band is FUN! By joining the DOES band now you'll also have the opportunity to be in jazz band, pep band, marching band, musical pit orchestra, and other various awesome groups in middle and high school.
Students who were in previously in strings may switch to band once they are in fourth or fifth grade. The best year to start on a band instrument is fourth grade so you can have two years of experience prior to middle school, but fifth grade beginners are always welcome, too!
To learn more about what a band is and what it is like being part of the Dayton Oaks Elementary School Band watch this short video!
Students who were in previously in strings may switch to band once they are in fourth or fifth grade. The best year to start on a band instrument is fourth grade so you can have two years of experience prior to middle school, but fifth grade beginners are always welcome, too!
To learn more about what a band is and what it is like being part of the Dayton Oaks Elementary School Band watch this short video!
What is a Band? Learn More Here!
What Instruments Can I Play in the DOES Band?
You have a LOT of choices on what instruments you can play as part of the band at Dayton Oaks Elementary School!
**Instruments available for fifth grade beginners may be limited due to scheduling conflicts of only having room for two fifth grade beginner classes. Instrument options could change based on the number of students interested and instruments preferred.**
Fifth graders who were already in band in fourth grade continue to play the same instrument during their fifth grade year.
- Flute
- Oboe (private lessons encouraged)
- Clarinet
- Alto Saxophone
- Trumpet
- French Horn (private lessons encouraged)
- Trombone
- Euphonium
- Tuba
- Percussion (this includes mallets/xylophone instruments, drums, triangle, cymbals etc. - if you already play the piano, this could be a GREAT option!) - we spend the first half of the year on the bells (xylophone) and the second half of the year on snare drum.
**Instruments available for fifth grade beginners may be limited due to scheduling conflicts of only having room for two fifth grade beginner classes. Instrument options could change based on the number of students interested and instruments preferred.**
Fifth graders who were already in band in fourth grade continue to play the same instrument during their fifth grade year.
Slideshow of the Different Instrument Choices for the DOES Band
This Google Slideshow shares videos of both professionals, non professionals, and even kids (awesome!) demonstrating each instrument! I HIGHLY recommend that you watch the video links within this slideshow of the instruments you are interested in because the musicians performing are VERY diverse and have amazing things to share! (click the enlarge screen icon to better view this slideshow)
Individual Videos of the Different Instrument Choices for the DOES Band
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Having Trouble Deciding on an Instrument? Try the Instrument Matching Tool!
If you are having a tough time deciding on what instrument you want to play in the band (there are SO many, so it's understandable!), or maybe you narrowed it down to two or three and you just can't decide, try this instrument matching tool for help! (this is optional and only for DOES students)
When you use this matching tool, it will email Mrs. Syversen with your results to help give her recommendations based on your responses (you won't see the results, sorry!). Even if the matching tool says you should play something you don't want to play, don't worry!, we will work together to make sure you get to play the instrument that YOU want to play that will also be a good physical match.
When you use this matching tool, it will email Mrs. Syversen with your results to help give her recommendations based on your responses (you won't see the results, sorry!). Even if the matching tool says you should play something you don't want to play, don't worry!, we will work together to make sure you get to play the instrument that YOU want to play that will also be a good physical match.
How Do I Join the Dayton Oaks Elementary School Band?
Regardless of musical experience, ALL entering fourth and fifth graders can join the band. Please use the button above to access the online registration form.
Band Timeline
Band Timeline
- TBD: Band night meeting in the Mini Auditorium - NEW BAND STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND TO TRYOUT INSTRUMENTS!
- Friday, September 6, 2024: Online registration form must be completed
- Friday, September 13, 2024: The student band schedules will be sent via Canvas
- Monday, September 16, 2024: Students should have ALL required band materials/books/instruments
- Monday, September 16, 2024: All Band classes begin!
Welcome Letter to DOES Families from Mrs. Syversen
As a fourth or fifth grader, your child finally has the opportunity to be part of the band! I know that for many of you, this will be your first exposure to instrumental music education and I wanted to take a brief minute to share some information with you.
Children have talent in music in their own special way, and it is my job to help them discover their musical gift. In order to do that, the band students will be taking part in a variety of music activities designed to help them develop musical skills and to know and appreciate many different styles of music.
Performing in instrumental music ensembles gives students so much more than just musical training. Students learn cooperation and teamwork, commitment and responsibility, tolerance and acceptance, as well as perseverance and self-discipline. Performing with a group that plays well helps build self-esteem, confidence and pride in accomplishment. Studying music also reinforces reading and math skills and enhances gross and fine motor skills.
Most band instruments can be rented or purchased at local music stores. I may receive multiple requests to play some instruments and, therefore, I am asking students to provide their first two choices on the enrollment form. In order to maintain small class sizes and proper band balance, not every student will get his or her first-choice instrument (but I will do my very best to try to make this happen!). Your child can try taking the instrument matching tool to help narrow down their choice.
Each student will attend two band classes per week. Band classes will take place at different times throughout the week as a "pull out" class. This means your child come to band during other class times such as related arts. But don't worry! We have been doing this for two decades and it works well and all teachers are supportive of our program. The band schedule will be sent out to band families prior to the start of band classes.
A list of the needed materials for band as well as rental flyers and a rental guide for this year can be found below. **Beginners - Please do not obtain materials until you have received email verification to do so by Mrs. Syversen**
You may want to rent your child’s selected instrument from a local music store instead of purchasing (to make sure they are going to stick with it!).
Parents and Guardians, you can watch this short video by other (nervous!) newbie band parents/guardians about their experiences with their children joining the band. When Mrs. Syversen joined the band, her parents had NEVER been involved with music before and had no idea what they were doing! So don't worry, we are in this together and Mrs. Syversen will help every step of the way.
Children have talent in music in their own special way, and it is my job to help them discover their musical gift. In order to do that, the band students will be taking part in a variety of music activities designed to help them develop musical skills and to know and appreciate many different styles of music.
Performing in instrumental music ensembles gives students so much more than just musical training. Students learn cooperation and teamwork, commitment and responsibility, tolerance and acceptance, as well as perseverance and self-discipline. Performing with a group that plays well helps build self-esteem, confidence and pride in accomplishment. Studying music also reinforces reading and math skills and enhances gross and fine motor skills.
Most band instruments can be rented or purchased at local music stores. I may receive multiple requests to play some instruments and, therefore, I am asking students to provide their first two choices on the enrollment form. In order to maintain small class sizes and proper band balance, not every student will get his or her first-choice instrument (but I will do my very best to try to make this happen!). Your child can try taking the instrument matching tool to help narrow down their choice.
Each student will attend two band classes per week. Band classes will take place at different times throughout the week as a "pull out" class. This means your child come to band during other class times such as related arts. But don't worry! We have been doing this for two decades and it works well and all teachers are supportive of our program. The band schedule will be sent out to band families prior to the start of band classes.
A list of the needed materials for band as well as rental flyers and a rental guide for this year can be found below. **Beginners - Please do not obtain materials until you have received email verification to do so by Mrs. Syversen**
You may want to rent your child’s selected instrument from a local music store instead of purchasing (to make sure they are going to stick with it!).
Parents and Guardians, you can watch this short video by other (nervous!) newbie band parents/guardians about their experiences with their children joining the band. When Mrs. Syversen joined the band, her parents had NEVER been involved with music before and had no idea what they were doing! So don't worry, we are in this together and Mrs. Syversen will help every step of the way.
Newbie Band Parent/Guardian Interviews
Contact Information
If you have any questions about the DOES band program, please email band director Amy Syversen at [email protected]