Beginning a new program?

[nafmeadmin]

My fellow music teacher and I are thrilled to hear that our school is considering the possibility of introducing 5th grade band into our schedule (our district usually starts band in 6th grade, when students reach middle school). Does anyone have any advice for beginning a new program? What will we ABSOLUTELY need to have/start up costs. We are considering renting instruments for a few years and acquiring instruments slowly. Anything that would help it become a reality for our students? I assume we will be able to get some materials from the already existent middle school program.

[nafmeadmin]

how large is the school, or more importantly, how large is the 5th grade class going to be next year?

i would look at how many parents buy or rent instruments from vendors in 6th grade n average over the past few years, and take that into consideration for next years band for prices. if i were you, i would try to hold off on purchasing instruments for as long as possible until you know which parent purchase and which don’t. that would be how i would start in terms of building a stockpile of instruments, you may get lucky and only need to get about 4 instruments the first year. it would also be alright to put off the big money things until they get to middle school like the bari sax, tuba, bass drum etc…

there isn’t much information that i have with what you asked so i can’t really help too much more than that. if i get more specifics it may help

[nafmeadmin]

Thanks for your help! We have about 150 students going into 5th grade next year. Our district has about 250-300 in each grade, but some students attend a different elementary school. I will be in contact with the middle school program to get some of the information you suggested.

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