Tualatin Valley Academy offers 5th grade band, 6th-8th grade band, and high school band.

Band is about more than learning to play an instrument. It builds a sense of community among students and helps them develop discipline and a strong work ethic. Students who participate in music typically perform higher in many other academic areas.

In Band, Students will:

Recognize notes and rhythms
Learn fingering for musical notes
Learn how to play their instrument
Learn how to play as a unit

The focus of band is to learn to play together as a team. Individual instrument instruction during class time will not be provided, though instrument-specific curriculum is used. Private lessons are encouraged, but not required.

Note: For the success of the group, all students are required to attend the Christmas and Spring Concerts. If a student is ill or if there is an emergency, please contact Mr. Blackburn.

5th Grade Recorder Ensemble

Starting in Fall 2024, Fifth Grade will begin their band journey by learning and playing recorders in an ensemble. They will learn to play soprano, alto, tenor, and bass recorders and play the various parts together as a group.

The reason we have chosen to start band with recorders is to help students learn to read music without having to simultaneously learn how to make a complicated instrument produce a sound. It will also teach them the fingering they need if they later choose to play the clarinet.

6th-8th Grade Band

Students choose a brass, woodwind, or percussion* instrument to play as part of the ensemble. They learn to play their instrument, continue growing their knowledge of music and rhythm, and they learn how to work together to play songs involving a variety of instruments and parts.

*Percussion is by audition only to ensure balance between the three sections of instruments.

High School Jazz Band

In High School, students build on the foundation laid in 6th-8th Band to play more complicated songs in a Jazz Band format. They choose a brass, woodwind, or percussion* instrument to play as part of the ensemble.

*Percussion is by audition only to ensure balance between the three sections of instruments.

Materials

Music and Class Materials:

All music, folders, and curriculum books will be provided to students and must be returned at the end of the school year.

Instruments:

Percussion:

Students studying percussion will be provided with a practice drum pad and drum sticks. These must be returned at the end of the school year.

Woodwinds and Brass:

There are three options for providing an instrument for your student:

Personally owned instruments may be provided by the student/family; instrument must be in good working order.
Instruments may be rented from TVA on a first-come first-serve basis on September 4, 2024 from 6:30-8pm in the TVA Gym.
Instruments may be rented from a band store. We highly recommend Beaverton Music Services. For your convenience, Beaverton Music Services will be at the school September 4, 2024 from 6:30-8pm to rent instruments and sell supplies.

Students and families are expected to provide reeds and supplies for the care of the instrument. The following supplies are required, brands are flexible with the exception of reeds:

Instrument Supply List

Concert Attire

Students will be performing at the Christmas and Spring concerts. The following attire is required.* All attire must meet school dress code guidelines.

Men - Solid white or black dress shirt or sweater (no prints), black dress pants (no jeans), black shoes
Women - Black dress or solid white or black dress shirt/blouse or sweater (no prints), black dress pants (no jeans), black shoes

*Students participating in handbell choir should wear their handbell concert uniform instead.

Instruments Available to Rent from TVA

We are blessed to own a number of instruments for use by our students. The following are available to rent from the school on a first-come, first-served basis:

Baritone
Bass Clarinet
Clarinet
Cornet
Flute
Oboe
Saxophone - Alto
Saxophone - Tenor
Trombone
Trumpet
Tuba