Dessau Middle School Band

UPDATE - August 14th

• Incoming 5th Graders!  We're will have a SUPER SATURDAY on August 15th.  You can come and learn about your new instrument and meet your friends who will be playing the same instrument.  If you are renting an instrument from DMS, you can reserve one on this day, too!
  • 9:00am Flutes, Trumpets, French Horns
  • 10:00am Clarinets, Bass Clarinets, Trombones
  • 11:00am Saxophones, Tubas, Euphoniums (Baritones)
  • 12:00pm Bassoons, Oboes, Percussion

• If your class schedule is incorrect and you are mistakenly not enrolled in band, please have your parent call the DMS office and request a schedule change.  Class schedules will be given to the students on the first day of school.

• If you haven't chosen an instrument for next year, be sure to contact us and we can arrange to meet with you.

• Come and play all the instruments under the supervision of the band directors!  This allows us to meet with future DMS families and lets us help you pick and instrument that will best "fit" your child.  This isn't an audition or a tryout so please don't worry about preparing anything.  Each instrument has unique qualities that require different "faces" and we'll help combine this with what instruments the student likes.  We'll also give you information on the many options for borrowing/buying/renting and instrument.

• SUPER SATURDAY on August 15th. 
  • 9:00am Flutes, Trumpets, French Horns
  • 10:00am Clarinets, Bass Clarinets, Trombones
  • 11:00am Saxophones, Tubas, Euphoniums (Baritones)
  • 12:00pm Bassoons, Oboes, Percussion

Do I have to know anything about music to join band?  NO.  Any training in music you may have will be helpful but everything you need to know to play an instrument will be taught in band.

If I join band, can I still be in football, cheerleading and other sports and clubs?  YES.  We encourage our band members to participate in athletics and other school activities.  Many of our band members are the star athletes and cheerleaders as well as leaders in all ACADEMICS!

Who will be in the band and what are the advantages?  Your friends and fellow classmates will join you in what will be some of the most exciting times of your school days.  The most obvious advantage is learning to play an instrument.  You'll also perform at concerts, contests, band camp, trips and have parties with your friends.

Does it cost a lot of money to be in the band?  Some instruments can be borrowed from the band.  The main cost is if you decide to purchase your own instrument.  You may also rent or purchase from music stores, which offer excellent used and new instruments for low monthly fees.  Please wait until your first meeting with the band directors before purchasing an instrument.

How do I choose and instrument?  Beginning Band students are divided into woodwinds, brass and percussion.  After you have pre-enrolled and signed up for Band as your FIRST CHOICE, we'll meet with you and yoru parents and help select the instrument that suites you the best.