6th Grade Weekly Newsletter - Week of 9/8/25

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.

At Webb Bridge the students are very fortunate to have 3 band directors that teach your children every day. While Mr. Stallings and I can teach all the instruments, we are able to split apart in 6th Grade to provide more individualized education to all of the beginning band students. This is another factor that contributes to the success of our band program!

How are the 6th Grade Bands split?

In college music majors specialize on one instrument while learning how to teach the other instruments as well as studying the philosophies of education.

• On Infinite Campus we each have a band period tied to our name - however, we split each of these classes by instrument and teach both 8th and 9th period.
• Mr. Stallings studied the clarinet in college and his expertise in 6th Grade Band is the woodwinds. 
  • If your child plays the flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, or saxophone Mr. Stallings primarily teaches your child and any questions you have can be directed to him: [email protected]
• Mr. Stroud studied trombone in college and his expertise in 6th Grade Band is the Brass and Percussion.
  • If your child plays the trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, or percussion Mr. Stroud primarily teaches your child and any questions you have can be directed to me: [email protected]
• Mr. Durden studied french horn in college and his expertise in 6th Grade Band is high brass.

Do woodwinds, brass, and percussion ever combine?

YES! 

Before every concert we combine the woodwinds, brass, and percussion into one big group and play music together.

Encourage practicing!

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!

WBMS Band Mentorship Program

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.

Private Lessons!

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.

Please send us an email for some suggestions of local teachers that can help get your child ahead!

​Alpharetta High School Raider Band

The WBMS 8th Grade Band was in the stands for a short time this past Friday with the AHS Band before weather resulted in everyone being relocated inside. In good band fashion, we made the best of things and the students got to play their music together in the AHS Auditorium.

Upcoming AHS Band Events​​

• Saturday, September 20: Fulton County Marching Band Exhibition, Milton High School, Time: Alpharetta performs at 7:30PM! This event is free for all middle school band students.
• 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