6th Grade Info Meeting:

Hi everyone! My name is Abby Giles, and I am going to be the 6th-12th grade band director here
next year. I’ve currently been student teaching here this Spring and will be graduating from K-
State this May. Parents, I’ve absolutely loved getting to know and working with your students
so far, and I’m excited to continue as their teacher next year.

For Junior High, we offer a combined 7th and 8th grade band, 7th grade jazz band, and 8th grade
jazz band. The full 7th and 8th grade band meets daily as a class. This group performs at the High
School Homecoming game, two music festivals, and three concerts. 7th Grade Jazz Band meets
at 7 a.m. on Friday mornings. If you are interested in being in Jazz Band, please let me know
sometime between now and the end of this year. The instruments that we need in jazz band
are trumpets, trombones, saxophones, percussionists, pianists, and someone to play the bass
part on the keyboard. If you don’t play one of these instruments and are interested in learning
saxophone or another instrument for jazz band, that’s also an option. A lot of the time, we have
clarinet and flute players that learn to play saxophone for jazz band and baritone players who
play the trombone in jazz band. Jazz Ensembles will perform at two jazz nights, three concerts,
and at music festivals.

One thing that I want to mention that is different from 6th grade band is that if students are
playing a school instrument, then there is a $50 rental fee for the year. This covers instrument
maintenance. This is very really comparable to renting from most music stores because they
often charge $30-$60 per month, compared to a one-time cost per the entire school year.

6th graders, it has been awesome having you in 6th grade band and during lessons this year. I’m
really looking forward to seeing you in junior high band! Thank you all, and please don’t
hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.