Junior High Band
Survival Tips

Call Roll By the Numbers

It's policy in some districts that the roll be taken by the teacher and not delegated to a student. In a large class it can take valuable time. During the first week of school count how many students there are in each section and give them time to learn each other’s names. They will have fun proving they know their section by naming each student. Write the numbers in the roll book as follows: Fl 4, 6 (the number in each row), Ob 1, Clar 3, 6, 10, ASx 4, TSx 2, etc. From then on, while they are getting ready, count the number in each section. If they are all there, go to the next section. If someone is absent, ask the section who it is. It takes very little time and you always know who is absent.

Video Disclaimer

The attached videos are not perfect examples of how each tune should be played. They are recordings of junior high students, some of whom have had their instruments for only a few months. Also, they are not professional recordings. They were taken by band parents using home equipment and naturally focusing on their own children.

I include them for two reasons: (1) To give you an idea of what the arrangements are like, and (2) To illustrate the kind of performance you can expect from your junior high students.