What kind of instrument best fits you? Sign up for our 2022 Beginner Instrument Drive to find out. 

2022 Beginner Instrument Drive Sign Up

We are so excited for you to be a part of our band family. 

Please sign up for an instrument fitting slot below. Each slot is 15 minutes and will be held in person at the Austin Academy Band Hall. We recommend that families arrive 15 minutes before their appointment to fill out some paperwork. 

We will have COVID Guidelines in place to ensure we are as safe as possible. 

• Please do not come to your appointment if you or someone in your household is sick or feeling unwell. 
• We ask that all attendees wear a face mask at all times. 
• Please make use of our many hand sanitization stations
• All instrument parts used by the directors and students will only be used once a day and thoroughly cleaned between Instrument drives in alignment with GISD Guidelines. 

Saxophone and Percussion are very popular instruments. Students will be entered into a lottery and we will draw students out of a hat to select these instruments. Each student who wants to play Saxophone or Percussion will be asked to select a 2nd instrument that they will play in the event that they are not selected in the lottery. 

We recommend that you attend our Face to Face instrument fitting for the best possible fit for your student. However, if you do not feel comfortable coming Face to Face we will have a Virtual Option in the future. 

Austin Academy will hold the annual summer band camp face-to-face this year. You will receive an email with the schedule and more information. If you do not receive the information, or if you have questions, please email Mrs. Wis. 

Margaret Wis (Director of Bands for 34 years), Alex Harrison (AAE Assistant Director for 6 years), and the entire private lesson staff will be teaching during the camp to ensure our talented AAE Band students start the 2021-2022 school year with EXCELLENCE!   Please see Cut Time for camp information and schedule.  

• Beginning Clarinet, Flute, Sax, and Percussion 4 - 4:50 pm.
• Beginning Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, and Tuba 5 - 5:50 p.m.

 

HONORS/SYMPHONIC BAND CAMP SCHEDULE (7^th and 8^th grade students)

July 26 - 30, 2021

7^th/8^th grade (symphonic and honors band combined):

• 6:15 – 7:15 p.m.Honors/Symphonic band 
• 7:25 - 8:30 p.m. Pep Band

 

Welcome to the Austin Academy Band!  We are very excited to have your family join the Austin Band Family!  We will send test drive information (date/time) as soon as we are able. This page will be updated with videos and pertinent information. 

Please contact Margaret Wis with questions/concerns at mjwis@garlandisd.net about instrument selections. 

Why Choose Band?

BAND Is Expressive – Although, like much of the school curriculum, BAND requires students to learn facts and follow directions, it also presents an opportunity for creative self-expression.  Students will learn to express themselves in a constructive way through a different and unique language- MUSIC.

BAND Builds Positive Self-Worth - Although we share many similarities with our athletic counterparts, BAND is a place for everyone.  Rarely is a person serving as an alternate or substitute.  Everyone in the band plays a starring role.

BAND Builds Teamwork - The values of cooperation, communication, collaboration, concentration, and completion are learned in each rehearsal and performance.  Individuals with these skills will be in demand in the workplace of tomorrow.

BAND Is Preparation For Life - Through the discipline of MUSIC, we develop an understanding between the intellectual and emotional.  BAND allows the person to build skills and create solutions that are directly transferable to other facets of life.

Can everyone participate?

Enrollment in Beginning Band is open to all interested students. No prior musical experience is required. 

Which is the right instrument for my child?

Selecting the right instrument is a highly individual decision. The band director will consider your child's preferences, musical aptitude, and goals, as well as his/her physical characteristics. Your child will have the opportunity to actually try the instruments before choosing. 

Can a child be "musical" if the parents are not?

No one can predict whether your child will become a musical person.  Success in band is determined by a number of factors, the most important of which is desire.

Can students participate in band and sports?

Absolutely!  We make every effort to avoid conflicts in scheduling so that students who wish to participate in both activities may do so in grades 6 through grade 12.

Are there a lot of practices?

Classes take place during the school day, so there are few group rehearsals before or after school.  In order to make rapid progress, students should practice their instruments at home for 20-30 minutes daily.  The valuable self-discipline learned through regular at-home practice can encourage progress in your child's other classes.

Are students required to furnish their own instruments?

Students who desire to play the flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, or percussion usually furnish their own instruments.  Because they are more expensive, GISD provides oboes, bassoons, French horns, baritones, and tubas for a school usage fee of $25 per semester. Students will be expected to maintain the instruments properly.

Where can I get an instrument?

We recommend renting or purchasing an instrument from a full-service musci dealer with on-site repair facilities. There are several in our area. Your band director will be glad to help you contact one. 

Should I buy an instrument from a discount superstore or eBay?

Maybe, but contact your band director before purchasing an instrument online or from any merchant that does not specialize in musical instruments. You may find a bargain, but many of the instruments sold through these sources are of poor quality. Use commen sense and beware of any deal that sounds too good to be true. 

Can my student play a used instrument?

Yes, many fine used instruments are available.  If you are thinking of buying a used instrument, you should have your band director inspect it before purchasing it.  Band instruments do require maintenance, and some used instruments will cost more to repair than they are worth.  This is especially true of "student" model instruments.  If you already have a used instrument, have the band director test it to be sure it is in good playing condition.