Camp to Prepare 5th-Graders for Middle School Band

Although the fifth-grade band was eliminated last year in budget cuts, the board has found another way for students to learn musical skills before entering middle school.

A beginning band program will be held in August, giving incoming sixth-graders the chance to learn their new instruments before band officially begins on the first day of school.

The new beginning band camp will be held the last three full weeks before school starts for incoming sixth-graders and will be hosted by each middle school's music department.

Parents will pay for the program in the spring, with the cost expected to be $56 per child for 15 55-minute lessons. With the fee, there should be no expense for the district.

Students will be grouped according to the instruments they play, district officials said. There is a minimum enrollment of 40 students per building. If the minimum is not reached, parents can enroll their child in a band program at another building.

About 420 students are expected to participate.

Officials said the camp will closely follow summer band programs offered by other school districts.