INCOMING STUDENTS
Welcome to the Haskett Junior High Band! Our goal is to help mold our students into confident and thriving young adults of strong character with an emphasis on critical thinking, team building, and self-discipline. Members of the Haskett Junior High Band get to perform at amazing concerts, go on field trips, play in pep rallies & sporting events, learn exciting solos, compete for medals & trophies, and make friendships that will last the rest of their lives.
Data shows that learning a musical instrument facilitates anxiety management [1], teaches enhanced planning ability [2], boosts standardized test scores [3] and Texas All-State musicians consistently score 26% higher on SAT exams than average [4]. These are just a few of the wonderful benefits of learning how to play a musical instrument in band.
1. Hudziak, J. J., Albaugh, M. D., Ducharme, S., Karama, S., Spottswood, M., Crehan, E., … Botteron, K. N. (2014). “Cortical Thickness Maturation and Duration of Music Training: Health-Promoting Activities Shape Brain Development” /Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 53(11)./
2. Jaschke, A. C., Honing, H., & Scherder, E. J. A. (2018). “Longitudinal Analysis of Music Education on Executive Functions in Primary School Children” /Frontiers in Neuroscience, 12./
3. Fitzpatrick, K. R. (2006). “The Effect of Instrumental Music Participation and Socioeconomic Status on Ohio Fourth-, Sixth-, and Ninth-Grade Proficiency Test Performance” /Journal of Research in Music Education, 54(1), 73–84./
4. https://www.tmea.org/wp-content/uploads/Advocacy/2018-5YearAll-StateSATState-NationalAverages.pdf
INCOMING FIRST YEAR BAND STUDENTS
Students learning a musical instrument for the first time are enrolled in our First Year Band. Students will get to learn an exciting musical instrument, make new friends, play in fun concerts, go on field trips, and play in festivals. First Year Band students will need to be screened with one of our directors prior to enrollment.
If your child has not been screened for an instrument, please contact Mr. Tipps to set up a time to meet with us. These instruments include the flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium (baritone), tuba, and percussion/drums. Want to learn how each instrument sounds? Click here!
Students learning flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and percussion will need to supply their own equipment for class. Students learning oboe, bassoon, french horn, euphonium, and tuba will be issued a school-owned instrument upon payment of the standard Katy ISD $80 instrument usage fee. Note: students must provide their own equipment to operate a school-owned instrument. Percussionists will also need to pay the $80 usage fee for the use of Katy ISD percussion equipment. Information on class supplies and recommended equipment needed for band can be found in our band handbook.
INCOMING SECOND & THIRD YEAR BAND STUDENTS
Students with at least one year of band experience are placed in one of our three performing ensembles - Wind Ensemble (varsity), Symphonic Band (non-varsity A) or Concert Band (non-varsity B). These ensembles are audition-based with students placed where they will be able to learn and contribute the best. Students in performing bands get the opportunity to perform in pep rallies, sporting events, and more! Incoming second and third year band students will need to meet with Mr. Tipps & Mrs. McGraw to determine the best placement for their success.
Students playing flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and percussion will need to provide their own equipment. Students playing oboe, bassoon, bass clarinet, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, french horn, euphonium, tuba will be issued a school-owned instrument upon payment of the standard Katy ISD $80 instrument usage fee. Note: students must provide their own equipment to operate a school-owned instrument. Percussionists will also need to pay the $80 usage fee for the use of Katy ISD percussion equipment. Information on class supplies and recommended equipment needed for band can be found in our band handbook.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GENERAL
Q: Can my child be in both band and athletics?
A: Yes! We love when our students participate in other activities. Some of our best musicians are also some of the best athletes in the school.
Q: Is there a band booster club?
A: We will be establishing our band booster organization this 2022-2023 school year. Be on the lookout for information on how you can help build our band program.
Q. Can parents chaperone on events and field trips?
A. Yes! You can find the parent chaperone form by visiting our Forms & Resources page.
Q. Will my child be marching?
A. No. The purpose of junior high band is to establish strong fundamental playing technique. Marching band is reserved for high school band.
Q. Is there a course fee for participation in band. If so, what does this fee cover?
A. Yes. There is a standard Katy ISD Fine Arts course fee of $50. The course fee covers items such as band uniforms, competition fees, and other important items related to your child's participation in band. Fees can be made in small monthly payments by visiting the Katy ISD Pay n' Go website.
FIRST YEAR BAND
Q: My child will be in First Year Band next year; are there after school practices?
A: Yes. Students in First Year Band have four rehearsals per school year (two each semester).
Q: My child will be in First Year Band next year; does my child need to be able to read music or play an instrument before joining band?
A: No! Most of our students learn how to read music and play an instrument for the first time in our class.
Q: My child will be in First Year Band next year. How can I find out what instrument they will play?
A: Contact Mr. Tipps for a time to meet one-on-one to be screened for an instrument. There are a limited number of students we can accept into each class so we ask that your child be open to more than one instrument. You can learn more about the instruments we offer in band by clicking here.
Q. When will my child need their materials and equipment for class?
A. We will begin learning how to play our instruments (most likely) by the third week of school. We advise you to acquire their equipment and materials sooner rather than later as items can get back-ordered and shipments can be delayed.
Q. Is there a band uniform my child in First Year Band will need?
A. Yes. There is a band uniform t-shirt which is covered in the course fee. Students will need to wear this as well as blue jeans and tennis shoes for all concerts.
SECOND & THIRD YEAR BAND
Q: My child will be in Wind Ensemble/Symphonic Band/Concert Band next year; are there after school practices?
A: Students in the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band have one weekly before/after-school sectional; days and times are chosen by the students for what works best with their athletics & transportation schedules. Concert Band is a smaller ensemble where the needs of all the students can be met during the class period.
Q. My family just moved to the area. My child's last school offered school-owned flutes, clarinets, alto saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and drumsticks/mallets for student use. Is that offered at Haskett Junior High?
A. Haskett Junior High is equipped to provide school-owned oboes, bassoons, bass clarinets, tenor saxophones, baritone saxophones, french horns, euphoniums/baritones, and tubas. If you are in need of one of the asked instruments, please contact Mr. Tipps and we can help direct you to where you can find the instrument of your needs.
Q. Is there a band uniform my child will need?
A. Yes. Students in the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Concert Band perform in two types of uniforms: formal and informal. The formal uniform consists of a black button-down dress shirt (covered in the band course fee) and black slacks/dress pants, black dress socks, and black dress shoes (not covered in the band course fee). The formal uniform is used at all major concerts and competitions. The informal uniform is our band t-shirt (covered in the band course fee) and blue jeans & tennis shoes (not covered in the course fee). The informal uniform is used for outdoor performances, pep rallies, and sporting events.
SUCCESSFUL TEAMS
Be a part of a thriving band program where you will get to make new friends, go on fun field trips, and work as part of a team.
ENGAGING CONCERTS
Perform exciting and fun music with your peers for packed audiences!