Twain PTSA is excited to provide a band program in partnership with Lakeview Elementary PTSA.

No previous music experience necessary! 

 

A detailed summary is below (days, times, volunteer commitment, cost, etc.), but the five most important things to know are:

  1. This program is run by Lakeview Elementary and Twain PTSAs for 4th and 5th graders to participate in band (flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, baritone, percussion). There are no orchestra instruments.
  2. We need to charge a fee to make this program possible. The program fee is $621 plus a $15 Twain PTSA membership and $20 Lakeview PTSA membership (both required for participation and insurance purposes) for a total cost of $656. This is approximately $11 a class for 32 weeks of bi-weekly band classes and 2-3 concerts. (*lower price than originally advertised)
  3. You will need to provide your student transportation to and from Lakeview Elementary.
  4. Volunteering is required. 

 

On September 23rd, there will be an open house at the Lakeview Elementary Library (6:30-8pm) for kids to try out different instruments and talk to the music directors.

 

The band program will run from October 2025 through June 2026.

 

WHO can participate:

Any 4th and 5th graders who are interested in participating in band. No previous band or instrument experience is needed.

 

Volunteer Requirement:

If your child is participating, you are required to take a rotation of volunteering. The program is not possible without a volunteer chaperone at each class to make sure students are signed in, signed out, and picked up from Lakeview Elementary. Volunteer chaperones will need to attend a preparation call in September.

 

Because this is a Lakeview and Twain PTSA program, chaperones must become Lakeview and Twain Elementary PTSA members for insurance purposes.

Volunteer chaperones must also be a LWSD-approved volunteer. Click here to learn about the quick application and to apply. 

 

 

WHAT will we taught?

Instruments that will be taught are brass, woodwind and percussion instruments (flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, baritone, percussion). Beginning band is for 4th graders (or 5th graders who have no band instrument experience) and intermediate band is for 5th graders (that participated in beginning band as a 4th grader).

Unsure which instrument to choose? On September 23rd, there will be an open house at the Lakeview Elementary Library (6:30-8pm) for kids to try out different instruments and talk to the music directors.

 

 

WHEN will classes be?

The band program will run from October 6, 2025, through June 5, 2026.

Each class will meet twice a week.

The proposed schedule is below (exact start and end times will be set in September in coordination with the Lakeview Elementary School administration):

Beginning Band:

Before school from 8:00-9:00 am*

• Mondays: Whole Band Ensemble

• Tuesdays: Woodwind & Percussion

• Wednesdays: Brass Day

 

Intermediate Band:

After school*

• Mondays, 4:15-5:15 pm: Whole Band Ensemble

• Wednesdays, 3:10-4:10 pm: Whole Band Ensemble

*No class on school holidays.

For intermediate band, there will be no class on one Wednesday a month (specific dates set in September).

 

 

WHERE are the classes?

The program will be held before or after school (depending on the student’s band level) at Lakeview Elementary. Parents will need to provide transportation to and from Lakeview Elementary. This is an optional before and after school PTSA program and the LWSD District is not providing transportation for this program.  

 

 

HOW to Register

If you choose to register for band, FIRST complete the purchase of a Lakeview PTSA membership (required to have your child participate for legal and insurance purposes) and THEN complete the purchase of the band program fee. Purchasing the Lakeview PTSA membership first ensures at checkout you have the PTSA membership band price of $621. Here are the links and order to register:

 

1. Lakeview PTSA membership (select “PTSA Membership for 1 Parent/Guardian”)

2. Band Enrichment Program Fee

3. Twain PTSA membership

 

 

WHAT supplies does my student need? 

1 ) An Instrument:

For your student to be successful in band this year, make sure they have access to a good, working instrument. This includes access to any and all applicable accessories such as extra reeds, cleaning cloth, cork grease, valve and slide oil, tuning slide grease, and sticks/mallets.

 

Instruments and supplies can be rented from Music & Arts, Metropolitan Music, Ted Brown, or Kennelly Keys.  If you’ve been playing for a while and you’re looking to buy an instrument outright, it is advised to consult me or a private teacher first. Avoid “too good to be true” prices, and purchase from somewhere that will let you demo the instrument first. The materials list in the band handbook lists reputable brands for each instrument.

 

PERCUSSIONISTS: Percussionist will need to have access to and bring both a snare drum and bell kit to rehearsal. 

 

2 ) Method book: 

Playing out of a method book provides structure with sequential, numbered, songs and exercises intended to build technique and fundamentals on your instrument over time. When working from a method book, most instruments play the same part at the same time, just transposed for their instrument group, which allow us to play together more easily. It also allows students of different instruments to reach out and use each other as resources, or for small group practice. Purchasing the book new will also grant you access to online recordings and digital resources that can aid students at home if they’re ever stuck.

The books that will be used this year are as follows:

 

Beginning, Intermediate Band = Tradition of Excellence – Book 1 by Pearson/Nowlin

**MAKE SURE TO PURCHASE THE CORRECT BOOK FOR YOUR STUDENT’S INSTRUMENT! i.e. “for flute” or “for B-flat trumpet”. Note the book number (1, 2, or 3) and purchase Book 1!

 

3 ) A music stand (to be used at home and brought to school for class):

Having a music stand at home promotes good posture and allows the student to have a dedicated, distraction-free space to read their music from. Here’s an inexpensive example.

 

 

Questions?

Read the complete details for the Band enrichment program on the Lakeview PTSA website or reach out to the Twain PTSA Band Volunteer Lead, Tricia Heber at pkheber@hotmail.com or (425) 890-9100.