Parent/Student Resources

How Do I Help My Student Be Successful in Band?

If you have no prior musical experience (and even if you do), you may be unsure how to help your student be successful on their instrument and in band. That's OK!! The following tips and tricks can help you:

This one's first because it's the most important - ENCOURAGE THEM TO PRACTICE!!! Practicing is the #1 way a student gets better on their instrument. Sometimes kids don't want to practice because they are not feeling successful - this is when they need the most encouragement. They should be practicing outside of school a minimum of 20 minutes per day, 6 days per week.
Know the difference between practicing and playing. 'Practicing' is working on stuff you're not good at. 'Playing' is working on stuff you are good at. Most of the student's practice time should be spent actually practicing - making mistakes and working on small chunks over and over. If you hear them playing the same song all the time, they are playing, not practicing.
Have a dedicated, distraction-free practice space. Students should practice in a chair and using a wire music stand (not on the floor, their bed, or the sofa). Sitting correctly and holding their instrument correctly is essential to being a good player.
If they're doing something that looks or sounds weird, ask them "Did your band director teach you to do it that way?" Students will usually tell you the truth and correct it if it's wrong.
Have them play for you!! Ask them to show you what they've learned and are excited about. Encourage and praise them no matter what. :)
Go to A Parent's Guide to Successful Practicing. This website is a wealth of knowledge on how to help your student.

Handbook

Booster Club

The Viking Band Booster Club is a parent-run organization that assists with aspects of the band program. Everyone who has a student in band is considered a member of the Booster Club. Elected positions make up the "Viking Band Booster Board". The board meets a few times throughout the year to plan and host events and will have frequent communication with the band directors.

Visit the Band Shop

Help the Band

Attend Booster Club meetings
Serve as a board member of the Viking Band Booster Club
Be a volunteer or chaperone for events. All volunteers and chaperones must fill out the application on the CFB ISD website and have a completed background check.
Donate one or more of the following items (just have your student bring it to the band directors):
- Bottled water. We will serve the students bottled water at many of our events.
- Reward stickers. As the students "pass off" lines for class, they will receive a sticker to indicate completion. They can be found at any office supply store or teacher supply store. Examples here and here.
- Pencils.
- Bag of individually wrapped candy.
If you are interested in being a sponsor of the Viking Band, either as an individual or business, please contact Mr. Haag at haagn@cfbisd.edu

Student Links

Future Band Members

Why Play in Band?

Meet the Instruments

Frequently Asked Questions

My child has had no instrumental music training. Can they still be in band?

Can my child participate in athletics while taking band?

Can my child participate in choir, orchestra or theatre while taking band?

How do I sign up for band?

What instruments are available in band?

Should I rent or purchase an instrument?

Renting an instrument will give your child the opportunity to begin in band with only a small initial investment. Your child can have the advantages of a brand new instrument, such as a pride of ownership, freedom from error due to poor equipment, and the opportunity to be the best player he/she can be by having the best available instrument for his/her age level. Your child will have the instrument and mouthpiece recommended by the band directors. The instrument can be returned to the company any time without further obligation.

Where is the music store?

MUSIC & ARTS CENTER, 500 E. FM 3040, Suite 121, LEWISVILLE, TX., 972-315-8400

Services offered by Music & Arts include: traveling to the schools to service their customers, free maintenance service and repairs during the instrument’s warranty period, factory trained, professionally trained, and completely equipped repair shop. Instruments are made available to you on a rental or purchase agreement. Music & Arts has no agreement with the school or with any band director other than the understanding that they will come to the school regularly to provide efficient service to their customers.

May I purchase an instrument from another source?

Of course you are free to purchase an instrument from any other source. There are other brands of instruments available for less money; however, they may be inferior in quality of workmanship and materials. This first year is very critical that the instrument plays and does not hold the student back. The store you deal with should have a repair shop and be able to service the instrument after you purchase it. The recommended mouthpiece should be included. An unsatisfactory mouthpiece can be a detriment to a student’s progress.

May I purchase a used instrument?

What happens next year?

How much does band cost?

Just like other performance activities, band costs money. However, the band directors do everything they can to keep costs at a minimum. If your child really wants to do band but it's too expensive, please let us know and we will work with you to come up with a solution. We want every child to do band, regardless of finances!

Students playing flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and percussion will need to purchase or rent an instrument from a reputable music store (we highly encourage renting over buying!). Rental prices vary, but are typically $30-40 per month.
Students playing oboe, bassoon, french horn, euphonium, and tuba will rent the instrument from the school for a fee of $50* per school year.
All instruments require purchased supplies. For a list of music companies, instrument brands, and supplies, please click here.
All students will purchase a tshirt and pay a band fee. To look at a sample fee sheet from 2018-2019* click here.

*cost subject to change but probably won't

When does band meet? Is there any after-school commitment?

Band is a class during the school day. They will attend band class every day for 45 minutes.
Students in band will have two after school rehearsals in April.
We have three performances: A demonstration concert in November, Contest in April (during class), and Spring Concert in May.
Students are expected to practice individually on a daily basis. The suggestion is 30 minutes per day, 6 days per week. This should be done at home, but may be done at school with the band director's approval.