Frequently Asked Questions

Beginning Band students are not expected to have any prior musical experience. We will teach you everything you need to know!

We will work with each child to find an instrument that fits them best! We want every student to be successful, so the instrument selection process is extremely important to us! We will contact parents & students toward the end of the 24-25 school year to make instrument selection for the 25-26 school year!

Yes! Almost all of our Band students are involved in sports/athletics, theater, choir, cheer-leading, art, and other activities both in middle school and in high school. We work closely with coaches and directors to avoid conflicts with other activities so you can participate in both!

Beginner Band offers instruction in flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, and percussion.

If your family has financial concerns, do not let that be the reason your student does not join Band. We can help you!

Depending on what instrument your child chooses, there are different options for renting/purchasing your instrument. Most instruments can be rented from a music store for a small monthly fee as opposed to a large upfront cost. There are also some instruments that are borrowed from the school due to the high cost of purchasing one on your own.

Students will also need necessary playing and maintenance supplies for their instrument, this can be located on their Instrument Supply List.

We also have a small Band fee of $25 for the year. Band fees cover portions of our trips, music, contest entries, and Beginning Band books. We can work with your family if fees are a concern, don't let money concerns keep you from joining the Band.

Band teaches cooperation, teamwork, and discipline—skills that will carry over into all other academic subjects. Band is the largest organization at Smith IS, and is unlike other electives. While students can start most electives in middle or high school, Band is unique. We only offer one full Beginning Band in CISD, and it is exclusively for 6th grade. If students wait until 7th or 8th grade to join, they will miss out on the full Beginning Band experience, including the opportunity to choose any instrument. Starting in 6th grade is the best way to ensure a strong foundation and to get the most out of your Band experience.

Your friends and classmates will join you in what will be some of your most exciting times at Smith Intermediate School.

Learning to play an instrument for your own pleasure is one advantage. Other advantages include concerts, contests, trips, and the opportunity of someday playing in the Middle School and High School Bands! Studies have shown that band helps to increase grades in math and reading.

Most parents rent an instrument with an option to buy. Your monthly payments will go towards the purchase of the instrument.

Some of the larger instruments are provided by the school such as Tubas, Euphoniums, FrenchHorns, Bassoons, Bass Clarinet and Oboes. These instruments are owned by the school district and are available for a small instrument usage fee of $50.00 per year. 

Yes, depending on the condition and quality. If you wish to purchase a used instrument for your child, please let us help you evaluate it. An inferior quality instrument will only handicap your child and could cost you more than the instrument is worth in repairs.

Students who wish to stay after school for extra help may do so, but it is not required. We rehearse only during the school day.