6th Grade Weekly Newsletter - Week of 9/2/25

Dear 6th Grade Band Parents and Students,
 
Your children are continuing to learn in class how to hold and make the first sounds on their instrument.

IMPORTANT
It is necessary that the students practice at home as often as they can (we recommend every day for 15 minutes outside of class time) to ensure proper development in the beginning band stages. This is much more beneficial than practicing once a week or only on the weekends as this is not nearly enough time to develop. Frequency (every day) of practice is most important! Please remember that the band room is open every morning starting at 8AM for open practice - students are strongly encouraged to come down to practice!
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Please find important items for all 6th Grade Band Students and Parents below:

• We will begin our band mentorship program on Monday, September 8th. All 6th Grade students will have an opportunity to sign-up for a help session sponsored by a teacher approved 7th and 8th Grade band mentor on their instrument. The students will begin signing up on Friday of this week for mentorships beginning on Monday, September 8th. These 7th and 8th Grade Band students are giving up their time to help the 6th Graders (because they love band!) so please be sure that when your child signs up for a time slot on a specific day (Monday - Friday) they will be in attendance on this day.
• The mentorship starts at 8AM and students can be dropped off at the main entrance. Parents do not have to wait with their child at the front - unless you would like to. The front office will begin allowing students to come down to the band room beginning at 8AM.
• See some pictures below of our mentors in action from last years 6th Grade Band.

Please make note that our week of "First Lesson Mornings" was only for 1 week as noted on the WBMS Band Calendar. This event is not a weekly event as we have open practice every morning for all of our band students starting at 8AM. We strongly encourage all students to come in the morning to practice!

In the beginning you may hear some interesting sounds coming out of your students instruments at home - please know that this is all part of the learning process and it will get more and more refined as the days, weeks, and months move on.   Please continue encouraging them to practice and even have them show you what they have learned!  I have heard from some parents that they learn the instrument along with their child while they are learning! This can be fun and rewarding!

A great way to get ahead in class is to take private lessons. Please send us an email if you would like suggestions regarding instructors that are local to the area.

Below are some resources that you can use at home to learn more about how to assemble, hold, and clean/maintain your child's instrument.

• Band Bootcamp - Putting it Together
• Snare Drum:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWCtTJ-97rC6hsfCPKbX5a3vgyd3B2kDl
• Mallets:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWCtTJ-97rC5jCXntumLwhGsvqTIcGGMI

Alpharetta High School Raider Band

The WBMS 8th Grade Band will be in the stands at this week's Alpharetta High School Football game at the annual 8th Grade Band Night! Be sure to cheer them on if you are in attendance at the game!

​Learn all about the Alpharetta Band: Alpharetta High School Raider Band

The Alpharetta High School Raider Band is continuing to work on their 2025 production "World's Apart"! Be sure to cheer them on during halftime at any of the home football games!

Upcoming AHS Band Events

• Friday, September 5: AHS Band 8th Grade Night
• Saturday, September 6: AHS Marching Band Friends and Family Performance, AHS Football Stadium, Gates open at 7PM, Performance at 7:30PM!
• Wednesday, September 24: AHS Fall Band Concert, 6:30PM, AHS Auditorium

​​Upcoming Due Dates and Performances

​Please find a bulleted list of important items relating to 6th Grade below. These are links that you can click on.

• WBMS Band Calendar
• WBMS Band Calendar (for printing)
• WBMS Band Activity Fee - Due by Tuesday, September 9th

We look forward to starting your children on the journey of learning a new instrument and as always please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Mr. Stroud, Band Director
Mr. Stallings, Band Director
Mr. Durden, Assistant Band Director