About 4th Grade Band
Welcome to 4th Grade Band! This is an amazing opportunity for students to take a deeper dive into the world of instrumental music and learn a new instrument. In our weekly lessons, we will focus on the fundamentals of learning our instruments: sound production, proper breathing, posture, rhythm, note reading, etc. Students will meet for weekly lessons with others who play their same instrument. Later in the semester, we meet for full-band rehearsals in order to prepare for our performances at the Lower School Fine Arts Festivals. We strive to develop our musical skill to their highest potential while having fun and creating positive experiences.

Fill out our 2026/2027 Sign Up form here: ​forms.gle/UM3GpFdDxzhNhCU8A 

Reach out to [email protected] at any time with questions! 

"Don't practice until you get it right. Practice until you can't get it wrong"- Roger Gracie

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​Where can I rent my child's instrument or accessories?
Renting Instruments: Caravel Academy is partnered with Zeswitz as an easy way for students to rent instruments at a monthly cost. Deliveries, repairs, online shopping - they really have us taken care of. The Zeswitz rental program is able to deliver instruments and other accessories directly to Caravel for free through our representative. (Note: all percussionists should select a bell kit, which includes a drum pad.)
Zeswitz link: https://www.zeswitzmusic.com/rent  

Buying Instruments: If you choose to purchase an instrument, or if your family already owns an instrument for your student to use, please be aware that different brands dictate different levels of quality. Amazon and Walmart are NOT trusted sites to purchase instruments from. Their brands are typically low-quality, and any musician will have a difficult time producing a successful and quality sound on these instruments. Brands I recommend: Jupiter, Yamaha, Conn-Selmer. Each instrument is different though, so feel free to reach out to me for specific recommendations! 

Method Book & Accessories: Zeswitz offers required and highly recommended accessories and books. This year, we will be using Essential Elements Book 1. Saxophones and Clarinets are required to own cork crease and at least 10 reeds at strength 2 of Rico or Vandoren brands. Saxophones are required to have neck straps (padded is recommended - Neotech Brand). Brass are required to have valve oil, and Trombones are required to have slide oil/grease. Strings are required to have rosin.
Link to Zeswitz accessory store & book order: https://zeswitzmusic.my.salesforce-sites.com/ZeswitzRental/AccessoryOrder 
https://www.zeswitzmusic.com/store​
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ADDITIONAL Method Book for Percussion: Percussionists are expected to order the Alfred Drum Method Book in addition to Essential Elements

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Band Expectations

The most important thing students need to do is practice at home. A minimum of five minutes at a time, twice a week, will yield excellent results. Students may lag behind if they only play their instruments in class. If they practice at home, they will sound better, be much more confident, and stick with it!
Students must bring their instrument to each lesson, along with a folder containing their book and a pencil. I will provide folders and the lesson schedule when we get started in mid-September.

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Highlights

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