Program guidelines

Joyful Noise band welcomes students age 10-18 to play Brass (Trombone, Trumpet/Cornet, French Horn, Tuba, Baritone) or Woodwind (Clarinet, Saxophone, Flute, Tenor Sax, Oboe) instruments. Percussionists & experienced string players - send an inquiry to joyfulnoisehsband@gmail.com. We strive to have fun, work hard, and make great music together! The band program was established in summer 2022.

Required materials:

• • Instrument in good working condition. Schmitt Music & Eckroth Music both have wonderful rent-to-own instrument selections and all the accessories you need for your instrument.

  • Instrument supplies such as reeds, valve oil, swab, etc.

  • Band method book (typically always in stock at Eckroth Music on Clairemont in Eau Claire): 

    • Beginner Band: Sound Innovations for Concert Band, Book 1 (blue book) for your student's instrument which is available on Sheet Music Plus, Amazon, or at Schmitt Music or Eckroth Music (typically always in stock for all instruments at Eckroth) in Eau Claire. Percussionists, please purchase the Combined Percussion Book. 

    • Cadet Band: Sound Innovations for Concert Band - early intermediate (red book) for your student's instrument which is available on Sheet Music Plus, Amazon, or at Schmitt Music or Eckroth Music (typically always in stock for all instruments at Eckroth) in Eau Claire. Percussionists, please purchase the Combined Percussion Book. 

    • Concert Band: Sound Innovations for Concert Band - intermediate (green book) for your student's instrument which is available on Sheet Music Plus, Amazon, or at Schmitt Music or Eckroth Music (some instruments only in stock at Eckroth) in Eau Claire. 

  • Music stand (black preferred)

  • Pencil

  • Band folder (provided)

  • Concert attire:   Girls: Black dresses, black skirts or black pants. If wearing a shorter dress or skirt (knee-length minimum), please pair with black tights or black leggings. No legs showing. If wearing pants, please pair with a nice solid black shirt with no screen printing or designs. Black shoes (open or closed toe). Boys: Black dress pants paired with a long or short sleeve solid black shirt. No colored ties or bow ties. Black shoes and black socks.

Ensembles:

Beginner Band: For students brand new to their instruments. Summer Band is the only time students who are brand new to their instruments can start in Beginner Band and is required (with some exceptions for a fall start if 6 private lessons before Fall Band begins). Musicians of ALL AGES 10-18 start in Beginner Band.

Cadet Band: Previous experience required - 1 year in Beginner Band/or equivalent experience. Students automatically move from Beginner Band to Cadet Band and spend 1-3 years in Cadet Band.

Concert Band (Audition Only): Primarily geared towards high schoolers and an audition is required. This ensemble is for higher skill levels and is not just based on age.

*New Students with prior experience on their instruments are welcome to audition for Cadet Band or Concert Band in August or January and will be placed in the appropriate ensemble for their skill level.*

There are three semesters of band lessons: Summer Band is small group lessons for 3 weeks in August and is required for students brand new to their instruments and is highly encouraged for experienced musicians. Fall Band and Spring Band semesters are typically 12 weeks long of weekly lessons and culminate in a concert.

Fall 2025 Schedule:

Lessons begin Thurs, Sept 11 at Bethesda Lutheran in Eau Claire. 

Beginner Band 1:00-1:45

Cadet Band 1:00-1:45

Concert Band 2:00-3:00

Concert Tuesday, Nov 25, 2025 at 7 pm (additional morning "dress" rehearsal that day as well).

Communication:

Please provide Joyful Noise with an email address during registration that you check frequently. Email will be our primary method of communication outside of rehearsal, so it is extremely important to check for and read emails.

Parents are encouraged to plan to ask questions at a time other than between ensembles or between lessons. Ideally, seek out Amber Richards, Band Administrator with questions at rehearsals or direct questions to the Joyful Noise email account: joyfulnoisehsband@gmail.com 

Practice commitment:

At Joyful Noise, we have group rehearsals one day a week.  As a result, the bulk of the “work” happens at home during the rest of the week as students practice to reinforce the lessons learned in rehearsals.  Practice time at home is imperative for growth as a musician.  Students are expected to take personal responsibility for their musical development as part of their homeschooling experience. Daily practice is required and is the only sure means of progressing and improving.

We recommend a minimum of 30 minutes of practice, 5 days per week (band rehearsal does NOT count as a practice). Beginner Band students may break daily practice up into two, 15-minute times in the day until muscle strength is built. Practice logs will be provided and checked each week at rehearsal. 

Attendance:

Band is a group activity, and students shall not miss more than two rehearsals each semester. Email your musician's director if your child will be gone from rehearsal so that she can send the practice information your child needs and plan accordingly for rehearsal. In addition, you may also text the director if it is a last-minute absence as a courtesy to let her know about the absence.

Concerts:

One concert at the end of Fall and Spring semesters (Fall Concert is typically late Nov/early Dec and Spring Concert is late April/early May) will celebrate and show off the students' hard work! Concerts are held at the Heyde Center for the Arts (3 S High St, Chippewa Falls, WI.) There will be an extra rehearsal the morning or afternoon of the concert at the Heyde Center. See concert attire info above.

Behavior & Expectations:

In order to maximize learning, rehearsal behavior needs to be orderly and respectful. Misbehavior interferes with the experience for all students involved and will not be tolerated. Every student will be asked to comply to the following guidelines:

• Rehearsals begin promptly. Please be seated and ready to begin on time. Excessive tardiness will be
  addressed. Plan to arrive 5-10 minutes before rehearsal to get your instrument and music stand ready.

• If your student will be missing band rehearsal, please inform your child's Director as soon as possible via email. They lesson plan around knowing which kids will be absent if it is a planned absence. If it is due to illness, please still email in advance of daily rehearsal if possible. This way, she has an email to reply to with homework.

• Students need to bring their required materials (see above) to each rehearsal.

• Students are encouraged to support each other and be uplifting.

• To minimize distractions, students need to use the restroom before or after rehearsals.

• Students are not allowed to have any beverages, gum, candy or food during rehearsals or concerts. 

Personal Commitment:

Students will be asked to sign a personal commitment upon arrival at their first rehearsal. It will state the following:

• I understand that I need to arrive promptly to band and behave in a manner pleasing to the Lord.

• I will use uplifting words and encourage my fellow band members.

• I will make every effort to be prepared for and participate actively in rehearsal each week.

• I will work for excellence in my personal practice time and be honest in my completion of each task.

• I will make a personal commitment to our host site to protect their property and to remember that I am a guest.

Parents Observing Rehearsals:

Parents are always welcomed to stay and watch rehearsals if they choose to. However, to minimize distractions, no cell phones and use discretion if you have small children with you.  Also, no food or drinks are allowed in rehearsal spaces. Parents are allowed to drop their child off, or wait in the hallway or Fellowship Hall area. Please closely supervise young children waiting with you. 

Private Lessons

All students are encouraged to take private lessons if possible.  A suggested teacher list will be provided upon request.