Why Band?

Learning to play an instrument can be one of the most rewarding experiences and can be beneficial in many areas of one's life. Below are some facts and statistics about band as well as some cool information about the instruments in the band! In the Spring semester, we will have an Instrument Fitting Night to help interested students figure out which instrument in the band is the right fit for them! We hope to see you there!

Statistics

70%

of Admissions Officers of the Nation's major universities say high school credit and achievement in the arts are significant considerations for admission.

107

According to the College Entrance Examination Board, students involved in public school music programs tended to score 107 points higher on the SAT Exam.

66%

Music majors comprise the highest percentage of accepted medical students.

94%

of respondents in a Gallup Poll believe music is a part of a well-rounded educaiton and should be offered as a part of the regular curriculum in schools.

12 Things you learn in band

Self-confidence
Coordination
Teamwork
Comprehension
Problem Solving
Discipline

Arts Appreciation
Reasoning
Communicating
Conceptualizing
Value Judgments
Accountability

Instruments of the band

Click on the pictures of the instruments to hear what they sound like! (YouTube link embedded)

Flute

Oboe

bassoon

clarinet

saxophone

The flute is the highest sounding instrument offered in the Jobe/Shepard band program. It is played by blowing fast air across a tone hole. Pushing down keys with your fingers can change the notes as well as changing the speed and shapeof the air stream. Flutists often play the melody in the band because of their high-pitched piercing tone.

Students who play flute tend to be detail-oriented and persistent.

The oboe is a very melodic instrument in the band. It is played by projecting fast air through two very thin reeds which vibrate against each other to produce the sound. The oboe is a very soloistic instrument and due to its slightly tricky nature, a select few students get chosen to play it in the band.

Students who play oboe tend to be intelligent, persistent, committed, and dependable.

Similar to the oboe, the bassoon is also played using two reeds instead of one. It is the lowest pitched woodwind instrument offered in beginning band. The bassoon has a very beautiful distinct sound and is one of the most specialized instruments in the band. Bassoonists are in high demand by colleges and therefore tend to get offered a fair amount of scholarships!

Students who play the bassoon tend to be critical thinkers, puzzle enthusiasts, and unique personalities

The clarinet is one of the most popular woodwind instruments in the band. It is played using one bamboo reed clamped against a mouthpiece. The clarinet has a very large range of notes, and a really warm pretty sound. It tends to get the melody in band a great deal of the time.

Students who play the clarinet tend to enjoy challenges and puzzles, and they are very focused competitive people.

The saxophone is a woodwind instrument which is played similarly to a clarinet - using only one reed clamped to a mouthpiece. Saxophones are played in a large variety of musical genres, but they are mostly known for concert band and jazz. After the beginning band year, some saxophone players at Jobe get the opportunity to play the tenor or bariton saxophones which are much bigger than the normal alto saxophone.

Students who play saxophone tend to be healthily competitive and hardworking.

trumpet

french horn

trombone

euphonium

tuba

The trumpet is the highest-pitched brass instrument in the band! It is a very melodic instrument that is played in numerous different genres including band, orchestra, jazz, mariachi, and many more! It is played by vibrating your lips into a very small mouthpiece, and it changes notes using a combination of changing fingers and varying the airspeed and direction.

Students who play trumpet tend to be confident, competitive, and hard-working.

The French Horn is a very unique brass instrument. It is the only brass instrument that switches notes using the left hand instead of the right. The right hand of the French Horn player goes inside the bell to change the timbre (tone quality) of the instrument. Having a good musical ear is very beneficial when playing the French Horn in order to be accurate with notes. French Horns are very commonly heard in movie soundtracks.

Students who play French Horn tend to be studious, critical-thinkers, and motivated.

The trombone is the most recognizable instrument in the brass family due to its long slide. Trombones read Bass Clef music and are considered a member of the Low Brass along with the Euphonium and Tuba. The trombone is a very flexible instrument used in many genres of music including band, orchestra, jazz, and more. Trombones can sometimes have an F attachment to assist with reaching further slide positions without having long arms.

Students who play the trombone tend to be coordinated, consistent, and confident.

Although the euphonium looks like a small tuba, it is actually more similar to a trombone except that it has valves like a trumpet instead of a slide. It is a newer instrument compared to many of the other band instruments, but because of its rich, beautiful sound, it has quickly become one of the most popular instruments in the band.

Students who play the euphonium tend to be artistic, creative, and consistent

The tuba is the foundation of the concert band sound and the lowest-pitched instrument in band. The instrument is not nearly as heavy as it looks, so even the smallest students are capable of holding and playing it! One benefit of playing tuba, is that you will not need to haul the instrument back and forth from school to home. For the price of renting one tuba from the school, you will receive one tuba to play on at school and another to leave at home for practicing.

Students who play the tuba tend to be dependable, consistent, and dilligent.

percussion

Percussion is a family of instruments that includes many many different unique instruments. From the snare drum to the xylophone to the timpani to the vibraslap, percussionists get to learn how to play numerous instruments - not just a drum. Due to the popularity of percussion as an instrument choice, there are only a limited number of percussion spots every year. People chosen to play percussion should be able to demonstrate a sense of pulse and rhythmic awareness. Piano experience is preferred but NOT required.

Students who play percussion tend to be consistent, responsible, and good at fast thinking.