🎵 McKamy Middle School Band
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Join the McKamy Band in 2023!

Incoming 6th grade Student Information
Sign Up!
5th Grade Students & Parents!
HERE'S HOW TO JOIN BAND:
  1. Select BAND as your #1 or #2 elective choice on schedule signup.
  2. Sign up for a time to Try the Instruments! ​
  3. Feb. 18 (PERCUSSION DAY! Brass & Woodwinds)
  4. Feb. 25 Brass & Woodwinds
  5. If you have any questions, please email Mr. Cote @ coter@lisd.net

​OPTIONAL VIRTUAL INSTRUMENT SELECTION!
If you do not feel comfortable coming to the band hall to "Try the Instruments" you may fill out our VIRTUAL Instrument Selection Form.  CLICK HERE FOR VIRTUAL OPTION!


Have questions, we answer most of them here: FAQ (click here)​.​
Sign Up!
"How Playing an Instrument Benefits your BRAIN!"

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do I need prior musical experience to be in band? 
No! You will learn everything you need to know for band in band class.  Any prior musical experience will be helpful, but not necessary.

Who will be in the band at McKamy?
You and your friends will be joining one of the largest organizations on campus. Band students also participate in football, volleyball, basketball, tennis, robotics, NJHS, and much more! 

Many of our students are the school leaders and among the most successful students at McKamy!

Is it possible to be in Band, LEAP, and Pre-AP classes?
 YES!  Band creates habits of excellence that carry over to academics.  The 2012 FMHS Valedictorian was a McKamy graduate, member of the FMHS Band all four years and was a Texas All-State Flutist! The 
2016 AND 2019 Salutatorians were a McKamy Band graduate, and a member of the FMHS Band all four years!

What fun things will we do in band?
The best reward is learning to play an instrument and make music! You will experience many parties, trips, concerts, contests & performances throughout the year!

Asthma?  Braces? Is it possible?
ABSOLUTELY!  There are good instrument options for every student who wants to be in band.  We have many students that have braces and/or asthma.  Playing a wind instrument can actually be beneficial for those with asthma as it helps strengthen the lungs.
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More Facts and Stats
Click above to see even more facts and statistics about music education courtesy of Be A Part of the Band
​

McKamy Band Instruments!


Flute
The flute is the smallest of the beginner instruments. It is a very popular selection each year, but only a small portion of those wishing to play flute will be selected.

Physical Characteristics
Flute players should have a slight “frown” to the upper lip with NO tear drop shape in the middle. Flute tones are produced by being able to focus an extremely small air-stream to an exact location on the tone hole. The tear-drop-shaped lip will make it difficult to direct the air so precisely.  Flute players should also have agile fingers for moving this multi-keyed instrument through a fast musical passage. Students with extreme overbites (receded jaw) should avoid choosing flute as this makes it difficult to produce quality sounds.

Other Considerations
Students with double-jointed fingers should avoid selecting flute as double-jointed fingers can cause lack of agility in the fingers.
 
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Click on Instrument for Listening Example


Oboe
The oboe is similar in its appearance to a clarinet, but it is played using
a “double reed” instead of a single reed and mouthpiece. Selection of oboe
players is EXTREMELY limited. VERY few will actually be selected for oboe.


Physical Characteristics
Students with profound overbites or underbites would have EXTREME  difficulties producing good sounds on the oboe since the embouchure (mouth position) requires equal pressure on both sides of the reed at the same placement.
 
Other Considerations
Because the oboe is such a difficult instrument to master, only students with high academic performance records will be considered. Students who choose (and are 
 selected) to play oboe are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to take weekly private lessons with the applied lesson teacher at McKamy. Private lessons cost $20.00 per week and scholarships are available based on financial need and demonstration of diligent work ethic. Students are required to maintain a supply of 3-4 high-quality reeds at ALL times.  Students with a history of disciplinary trouble will NOT be considered for oboe.The financial trade-off for having to take lessons and keep a stock of working reeds is that McKamy provides oboes for students at a cost of $100 rental for an entire school year payable to LISD for routine maintenance. Lessons for this instrument are Strongly Encouraged due to the complexity of the instrument.
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Click on Instrument for Listening Example



Clarinet
Unlike the oboe, the clarinet uses a “single reed” and a mouthpiece to produce the sound.
Willingness to purchase or rent a director-recommended clarinet is a MUST!
Unfortunately, there are some clarinets on the market whose poor design and
craftsmanship will make it next to impossible for your student to succeed. We can help you avoid that pitfall.

Physical Characteristics
One necessity of clarinet tone production is the ability to make the chin flat. Orthodontia is okay, but if a student has an extremely rounded bottom row of teeth, the mouthpiece will be hard to place in the proper position for tone production.

Other Considerations
Instruction in clarinet can be meticulous. Students who are able to focus on and perform a detailed series of instructions could do well on clarinet. Students who have difficulty remembering a series of instructions should avoid playing clarinet. Clarinet players are also responsible for maintaining a working stock of 4-6 quality reeds.



Bassoon
The bassoon is to the oboe what the bass clarinet is to the clarinet. It is the larger, lower sounding version of the double reed instrument. However, bassoon students
will not play oboe before switching, instead they will begin on the bassoon itself.
VERY few students will be selected to play Bassoon.

Physical Characteristics
A slight overbite is okay for students wishing to play bassoon, however, a student with an underbite should avoid bassoon. Agile thumbs is a necessity for playing bassoon proficiently as well as a medium or greater hand span.

Other Considerations
Like the oboe, the bassoon is such a difficult instrument to master, only students with high academic performance records will be considered. Students who choose (and are selected) to play bassoon are Strongly Encouraged to take weekly private lessons with the applied lesson teacher at McKamy. Private lessons cost $20.00 per week and scholarships are available based on financial need and demonstration of diligent work ethic. Students are required to maintain a supply of 3-4 high-quality reeds at ALL times.

Again, the financial trade-off for having to take lessons and keep a stock of working reeds is that McKamy provides bassoons for students at a cost of $100 rental for an entire school year payable to LISD for routine maintenance. Lessons for this instrument are Strongly Encouraged due to the complexity of the instrument.

 
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Click on Instrument for Listening Example

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Click on Instrument for Listening Example


Saxophone
The alto saxophone gives the impression of being both a brass AND woodwind  instrument, however it is indeed considered a woodwind instrument. The alto saxophone (which uses a single reed like the clarinet) is a very popular instrument like flute and only a few students will be chosen to play it.

Physical Characteristics
Since the balance of the saxophone is maintained by the use of a neck strap, it is extremely important that students be able to sit up completely straight when asked to.

Other Considerations
Saxophone players are responsible for maintaining a working stock of 4-6 quality reeds.  Alto Saxophone students will have the opportunity after their first year of instruction to audition for Tenor Sax or Baritone Sax (based on their proven musical and behavioral abilities while in alto saxophone class). 

Trumpet/Cornet
The cornet/trumpet is the smallest member of the brass family. The sound on cornet/ trumpet is produced by buzzing into a small mouthpiece. Students who choose and are selected to play cornet / trumpet will begin on a cornet (smaller in size) and “graduate” into a trumpet upon the completion of a battery of playing exams.
 
Physical Characteristics
While orthodontia is somewhat troublesome at first to a cornet / trumpet player, it is not impossible to make good sounds with braces. A slight overbite is okay, but an underbite can severely hinder progress on cornet/trumpet. Cornet /trumpet players come in all shapes and sizes.

Other Considerations
Cornet /trumpet parts usually have the melody (recognizable) part, therefore students who choose and are selected for cornet / trumpet should exhibit a confident demeanor, strong personality, and demonstrate a high level of self-motivation.


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Click on Instrument for Listening Example

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Click on Instrument for Listening Example


French Horn
The French horn is the also a member of the brass family. Its sound is
produced by buzzing into a small mouthpiece similar to a trumpet. Only the top 10-12 scores will be selected to play French horn. Students with good musical ears (such as Honor Choir students) should consider French Horn.
 
Physical Characteristics
A slight overbite is okay, but an underbite can severely hinder progress on

French Horn. Because the bell of the French horn rests on the knee of the player
while playing, it is imperative that a student’s upper torso be long enough to
accommodate the size of the French horn to make good sounds and that players be
able to demonstrate sitting straight up when asked to do so. The French horn’s
keys are manipulated with the LEFT hand.

Other Considerations
Because of the difficult nature of French horn notes (mentioned above),
students should exhibit GREAT ability to match sung or played pitches by humming or singing. Perhaps this is a good instrument choice for students who have participated in piano lessons or honor choir groups. Students with a history of academic or behavioral problems will NOT be selected for French horn.McKamy provides French horns for students at a cost of $100 rental for an entire
school year. Private lessons are strongly encouraged for French Horn due to the
complexity of the instrument.

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Click on Instrument for Listening Example


Trombone
Like the French horn, trombone players should have good “musical ears”. The trombone is played like the other brass instruments (buzzing into a cup-shaped mouthpiece), but uses a slide instead of valves. The slide is not marked or notched and players rely on their memory and hearing to tell if they are in the EXACT proper location. Students with good musical ears (such as Honor Choir students) should consider Trombone.

Physical Characteristics
While some might think that trombone players must have long arms, the truth is there are numerous accommodations that make it possible for students of all shapes and sizes to play. A slight overbite is acceptable, while an extreme underbite would hinder success. Trombone players should have slightly fuller lips than average.

Other Considerations
Great trombone playing takes good concentration and study. Many quiet
academicians have excelled at trombone.



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Click on Instrument for Listening Example


Euphonium/Baritone
The euphonium (you-PHONE-knee-yum) is sometimes known as the baritone. It is
a member of the brass family and looks like a small version of a tuba. Its sound
is similar to that of a trombone, but it uses valves like a trumpet instead of a
slide (like trombone).

Physical Characteristics
Euphonium players should have moderately full lips, but not too full. A
SLIGHT overbite is okay, but an underbite would hinder a good sound. The
euphonium requires a medium-sized hand span to reach the valves and students
should have an above average lung capacity.

Other Considerations 
Students with an above average amount of orthodontia will find the
mouthpiece of the euphonium a bit more comfortable than trumpet or french horn.  McKamy provides euphoniums for students at a cost of $100 rental for an
entire school year, but students are required to purchase their own mouthpiece.


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Click on Instrument for Listening Example
Tuba
While many believe the tuba is the largest instrument in the band and would
be hard to physically manage, the tubas we use for beginners are ¾ size and easy
to handle. In fact, some tuba players will begin by playing a Euphonium and will
switch over later in the fall semester.

Physical Characteristics
Tuba players need to have full lips and a large lung capacity. While the
size of the student doesn’t matter TOO much, a long torso (upper body) helps a
student reach the mouthpiece of the tuba while resting the bottom of the tuba on
the edge of their chair or across the thighs.
 
Other Considerations
The tuba provides the musical foundation for the band and requires players
that are self-motivated over-achievers. Students with a history of academic
trouble should not consider tuba as we rely heavily on the ability of the tuba
players to be consistently UIL eligible. McKamy provides tubas for students
at a cost of $100 rental for an entire school year, but students are required to
purchase their own mouthpiece.

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Click on Instrument for Listening Example

Percussion
Just because you are always tapping on things does not mean you
are a natural percussionist (drummer). In fact, the percussion section is the
most select, hand-picked section of the band. Only students with the highest
grades, lowest discipline problems, backgrounds in piano lessons, and extremely
high gross and fine motor skills will be considered for percussion.

Physical Characteristics
Students should exhibit a great deal of coordination in gross and fine motor skills.
 
Other Considerations
The study of percussion includes bells, triangle, tambourine, maracas, claves, among many other instruments. Private Lessons for percussion are strongly encouraged due to the nature of the instrument group and the amount of material that will be covered in class.

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Click on picture for Listening Example
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