Band & Orchestra Recruiting Materials
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LEARN ABOUT INSTRUMENTS |
TIMBRE SURVEY |
INSTRUMENT TENDENCY SURVEY |
SURVEY ANSWER KEYS |
VIDEOS |
POSTERS |
MORE RESOURCES
Learn about the instruments! (Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone, Violin, Viola, Cello) Click on any instrument on this virtual wall and open up a world of information, including an introduction, what it sounds like, what players think is special about each instrument, how each instrument is played, and more!
Choosing Instrument Surveys
These surveys are intended ONLY as a guide or suggestion of where to start for students, and what they may enjoy learning to play. They are not intended to take the place of a face-to-face consultation.
The Timbre Survey is a listening activity designed to allow students to hear the instruments and choose the sound they like most, without a visual image that could influence or distract a student from the sound. The two examples played for each instrument are the same music and played in the same style. We did this so that students are comparing the sounds of the instruments and not the songs being played. This is a great launching point when picking an instrument!
This tool helps students choose their instruments based on a survey of personal tendencies.
People who play a certain instrument tend to behave a certain way. Because music educators know this, we thought there should be a survey identifying behaviors which tend to line up with certain instruments. After pulling our information from 3 different dissertations and other resources, we came up with this fun activity. It is designed to be filled out by the PARENT OR GUARDIAN observing their child's behavior. This is a great way to start conversations from student to parent or parent to director about instrumental music! This resource pairs with the Timbre Survey. From this, you can compare the two and have a good idea of what instrument a student may enjoy learning to play.
Click the image below to download the PDF document.
These posters feature older students with their instruments. Some feature quotes about why they love being in band or orchestra. We suggest hanging posters in high traffic areas (near the restrooms, drinking fountains, cafeteria, etc) for students to help students get excited about the idea of playing an instrument.
Join Band: Flute |
Join Band: Clarinet |
Join Band: Trumpet |
Join Band: Trombone |
Join Band: Group |
What Will You Play? (Band girls) |
What Will You Play? (Band group) |
What Will You Play: Violin  |
What Will You Play: Viola  |
What Will You Play: Cello  |
What Will You Play? (Orchestra group vertical)  |
What Will You Play? (Orchestra group horizontal in city)  |
What Will You Play? (Orchestra group horizontal in grass)  |
KSU WWYP: Flute |
KSU WWYP: Clarinet |
KSU WWYP: Sax |
KSU WWYP: Trumpet |
KSU WWYP: Trombone |
KSU WWYP: Tuba |
KSU WWYP: Small Group |
KSU WWYP: Large Group |
Large, brightly colored stickers of each instrument: Violin, Viola, Cello, Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone. Can be used multiple ways. A popular use is to give the corresponding sticker to a student if they are easily able to make a good sound on that instrument after a demo/try-it. Students love stickers, the stickers help the student remember which instrument(s) they were well suited to and/or liked, AND it is a great conversation starter between the student and parent/guardian when the student goes home with several big neon stickers on their shirt!
A series of letters which can be customized that educators can use to send communication home to parents/guardians about how to get started in instrumental music in school.
REW Music provides additional music educators to assist with instrument demonstrations and helping students to try each instrument.
*When schools can allow guests in the buildings again.
A music education advocacy monthly newsletter. Unbranded, short segments include a fact with a link for further reading or media that supports the benefits of music education. This can be forwarded to the school secretary to include in the general school newsletter and is a great way to keep music education – and your program – in front of parents and students of all ages – from kindergarten up.
A hands-on, interactive, multi-day camp to help rising instrumental music students discover what instrument they like and what they may find the easiest to play. Each student handles each instrument for the entire instruction period, so they have the most in-depth opportunity for discovery and as much time with each instrument as possible.
A FREE clinic to help students and parents get started with their newly chosen instrument. In the clinics, REW Music educators work with groups of like instruments to teach both the students AND parents how to properly disassemble the instrument, clean it, put it back together, and make the first sounds. These clinics help students learn to keep their instrument in great working condition, as well as enable faster progression when they get to class at school. Many times, students who have attended a Getting Started Clinic are then able to assist their classmates during the first classes at school.
An introductory class for students with no previous experience playing their instrument. A jump start on fall band class, including extra time spent learning how to care for and maintain the instrument in good playing condition. This is a great opportunity for families who obtain an instrument before school starts, so students don’t develop bad habits from lack of instruction.
REW Music provides a quality rental program for students. Month-to-month rentals, no interest, maintenance included in monthly rental price, school preferred accessories, complete in-house repair service. Online rental options available summer & fall.
Instrument Care & Maintenance videos + accompanying printable guides
Step-by-step guided instruction how to clean and take care of your instrument to keep it in top playing condition.
Private Lessons
ALL instructors have at least one music degree. In-person & virtual options.
"Meet The Teacher" Private Instructor introductory videos
Learn about our teachers, as well as receive tips on current State Audition Music excerpts – recorded new each year.
Teacher Tips Videos
Our super team of private teachers has created short Tips and Tricks videos to help students at all levels improve instrument technique and practicing skills!
REW Music Festival
The REW Festival is an opportunity for ALL levels of students, beginner through advanced, to gain experience playing for others and receive feedback from respected local music educators. We put the focus on sharing music with others and ways to improve, rather than creating a scary formal performance environment. The Festival happens annually each spring.
Instrument Repair
REW Music is your one-stop shop for complete instrument repair. Our shop is in-house, which cuts down on repair time, and repair technicians are available to consult with about each instrument brought in for service.
Getting Started Private Lesson Special
Special deal for brand new students to take lessons at a reduced rate to help get started. No long term commitment required.
Music Folders (black)
REW Music is happy to provide concert black style paper music folders upon request. Each band or orchestra folder has a subtle music design to be interesting for the student, but from a concert audience perspective, it is a black folder that will not distract attention away from the musician.
Pencils
REW Music is happy to provide pencils that have good erasers for student/classroom use.
Lesson Posters
Tear-off design posters for students to easily access information about private lessons and REW Music instructors.
All Star Jazz Band (directed by Jim Mair in partnership with the Kansas City Jazz Alliance)
The All Star Jazz Band program consists of all star ensembles of standard jazz big band instrumentation. Musicianship expectations are high. Members of the ensembles are selected from the hardest working and most dedicated High School and Middle School musicians in the region. Aspiring All District and All State musicians are encouraged. Reading, improvisation and woodwind doubling are also an asset. Many past participants have met all of these standards.
Ukulele classes
Fun classes offered periodically for music lovers of all ages. Learn a new instrument or come to a continuing class to have fun learning more chords, making music, and singing songs.