Russellville Middle School Gale Band Members and Parents:
We are gearing up for the start of a school year unlike any other! While we are so ready to see you and make music with you, please be assured that your safety is our number one concern. The state of Arkansas released the Directives for Community and School Sponsored Music Return to Play on Wednesday, August 5th. We will follow these directives to the letter and take all of the recommended precautions in order to ensure every student’s safety. Listed below are the main directives that will affect Middle School Band:
Wind Instruments may only be played outside. This does not mean that band students will be outside for the entirety of each band class period; however, they may not play any wind instruments in the building.
Students must bring their own water bottle.
Students must wear a mask at all times, even while playing instruments. We will provide a special mask designed to be worn while playing to each band student. We will also provide an instrument bell cover for each student. This will block the aerosols from escaping the actual instrument while it is being played.
While playing instruments outside, social distancing will be observed as follows: Flutes will be spaced 12 feet apart, Trombones will be spaced 6X9 feet apart, and all other instruments will be spaced 6 feet apart. Inside the band room and without instruments, masks will be worn at all times and students will be placed 6 feet apart when possible.
We will follow sanitation guidelines at all times. Students who play wind instruments will not share any equipment. Equipment such as chairs and stands will be sanitized after every use.
7th Grade Band students who own should leave their instruments at home on the first day of school. Their band director will tell them when to begin bringing their instruments to school.
6th Grade Band students have been placed in a specific instrument class based on the instrument choices they made when signing up for band. As you know, we were not able to perform our traditional model of instrument testing this past Spring. During the first week of school, students will be “tested” for their preferred instrument one at a time, and without putting their mouths on any shared instruments. The final instrument decision will be based on facial features, balance of the band, and student choice. The exception for this will be percussion; they will be tested by the standard percussion testing method. If a change in classes is necessary for the student to play the instrument they are best suited for, we will work with the counselors to accommodate that change.
Our goal is to finalize all instrument choices during the first week of school. Information will be sent home concerning how to purchase instruments or rent a school instrument if they have chosen one of those. School instruments include Trombone, Horn, Baritone, and Tuba. The school does not provide Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, or Percussion. Each student will need to purchase the supplies for their instrument and a band method book. A list of all supplies, books, and materials needed will be sent home during the first week of school.
If you and your student have chosen Option B for this year, please contact the band directors for further instructions.
During this uncertain time, information can change daily. Be on the lookout for any new directives or procedures in these locations:
Facebook: Russellville Middle School Band
Remind : 6th Grade: Text @rms1styear to 81010
7th Grade: Brass/Percussion Text @galebrass to 81010, Woodwinds Text @galewwinds
You may email with additional questions:
6th Grade: stephanie.mikel@rsdk12.net
7th Grade: cassie.whitworth@rsdk12.net