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Information for the 2020-2021 DOES Band Program

**Please note that this information is for the 2020-2021 Dayton Oaks Elementary School Band Program and Instrument Options available for the Virtual School Year**

Meet Your Band Director, Mrs. Syversen

Mrs. Syversen
Band Students at Dayton Oaks

What is a Band Anyway?

Band Students at Dayton Oaks with Mrs. Syversen
Fourth AND Fifth graders at Dayton Oaks Elementary School have the opportunity to join the band squad!!! Band students take part in a variety of musical activities designed to help them develop musical skills. 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. 

Unfortunately, third graders are unable to be in the DOES Band quite yet. Third graders may enroll in the DOES Strings Program and either continue with strings in fourth and/or fifth grade or switch to band in fourth grade.

​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 Anyway?

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!

Fourth Grade Beginners can choose from the following instruments for the 2020-2021 school year:
  • ​Flute
  • Clarinet 
  • Alto Saxophone 
  • Trumpet
  • Trombone
  • 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.

The following instruments are typically offered to fourth grade beginners, but due to the virtual schedule, we will NOT be offering them to fourth or fifth grade beginners in 2020-2021 (however, students currently playing these instruments may continue to do so). Students may have the opportunity to switch to these instruments in fifth or sixth grades:
  • Euphonium aka mini tuba
  • Tuba
  • French Horn 
  • Oboe
  • Tenor Sax
  • Bass Clarinet
  • Bassoon 
    ​
Fifth Grade Beginners - The only instrument available for you to play this year will be the trumpet. Thank you for understanding!
​
​
​Below is a slideshow and some videos of the different instrument choices for the Dayton Oaks Elementary School Band. Check them out if you want to learn more about each instrument! 

Slideshow by Mrs. Syversen of the Different Instruments YOU can play in the DOES Band!

This Google Slideshow shares videos of both professionals, non professionals, and even kids (awesome!) demonstrating each instruments! 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 Instruments Beginners can choose to play in the DOES Band

These videos are by "Be Part of the Band" and are additional informational videos. If you haven't already, you should DEFINITELY check out the Google Slideshow above first!

Fifth Grade Beginners - The only instrument available for you to play this year will be the trumpet. Thank you for understanding!

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!
**Please note this is optional and only if you need it!**

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. We will only use this tool to help guide us with your top choices.
Instrument Matching tool
Dog Playing the Trumpet

How do I Join the Dayton Oaks Elementary School Band? 

Entering fourth and fifth graders can join the band. Please use the button below to access the online registration form.

As of 9/11 the DOES Band is in need of 4th grade beginning flutes and 5th grade beginning trumpets.

I can accept late registrations through 9/28, but after this time I have to close the enrollment window.

If you register your child after 9/15/20, please email me at amy_syversen@hcpss.org so that I am aware you have filled out the enrollment form as 9/11/20 was the enrollment due date.


Band classes began on Monday, September 21, 2020. All students must have instruments and materials by Tuesday, September 29, 2020.

Fifth Grade Beginners - The only instrument available for you to play this year will be the trumpet. Thank you for understanding!

Save The Date!
Virtual Band Parent Meeting 
Wednesday, September 9th at 6:15 p.m. 
Google Meet code: doesbandparentmeeting2020 or  http://g.co/meet/doesbandparentmeeting2020  
2020-2021 DOES Band registration FOrm

A Message to 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, each for 25 minutes. One class will be a larger full band class and the second class will be a small group class. All classes will take place via Google Meet and your child will be enrolled into a Band Canvas course.  In addition to these two synchronous lessons, students will have one asynchronous band lesson per week that will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. Full Advanced Band will be held Monday mornings from 8:30am to 8:55am and Full Beginning Band will be held Tuesday mornings from 8:30am-8:55am. The small group sectional classes will be held during other asynchronous times on either Mondays, Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Band classes will not be held on Thursdays or Fridays.

A list of the needed materials for band can be found below. Advanced Band students should already have all materials except for our new book, Essential Elements Book 1 for your child's instrument. 
**Beginners - Please do not obtain materials until you have received email verification to do so by Mrs. Syversen**

Band classes will begin on Monday, September 21, 2020. However, Beginners will not need their instruments and materials until Tuesday, September 29, 2020 so that you have enough time to gather materials.

​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!). 
DOES Band Materials List for 2020-2021
does band course syllabus 2020-2021
Instrument rental guide
2020-2021 Instrument rental flyers

Contact Information

If you have any questions about the DOES band program, please email band director Amy Syversen at amy_syversen@hcpss.org 

You can learn even more information below about the benefits of instrumental music education and the DOES Band.

I hope your fourth or fifth grader will consider being involved with instrumental music and try something new, whether they try a string instrument or a band instrument! There are a lot of activities, such as sports, that have been cancelled this fall, so now is a great opportunity to get involved in instrumental music as an outlet for something fun with other students!

HCPSM - Each year, Band parents are asked to join Howard County Parents for School Music (HCPSM). You must rejoin yearly. There is nothing that you are "doing" you are just being placed onto their mailing list if there is information that needs to go out. Please join HCPSM!
Even more information about the benefits of instrumental music education and joining the does band
Hamsters Playing Band Instruments
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  • home
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