Linden Avenue Middle School

At Linden Avenue Middle School, there are many opportunities for students to learn an instrument:

• the 6–7 Band,
• the 8th Grade Band,
• the after school Jazz Ensemble for certain instruments, and
• the after school Beginning Band Club for students who want to catch up on an instrument!

Our goal in band is to play great music well and have a wonderful time doing it! Please feel free to email me with any questions!

Andy Van Ness
Instrumental Music, Linden Avenue Middle School
avanness@rhcsd.org

Helpful files

📄 How to Join

Everything you need in order to join band, even if you've never played an instrument before!

📄 Lesson Rubric

This is the evaluation rubric used for all band lessons—check it out so that you understand what our goals are for lessons!

📄 How to Help a Musician Practice

Tips for parents to help their child succeed in band—or for students to help their friends!

📄 Instrument Accessories You Should Own

Everything middle school instrumentalists need so that they can play and take care of their instruments

📄 How to Read Note Lengths

One part of reading music is knowing the types and lengths of various notes—here's how it's done!

📄 How to Read Treble Clef

One part of reading music is knowing the letter names of the notes, which determine the "pitch": how high or low the music sounds. Here's how you do it in treble clef (the swirly, G-like one)!

📄 How to Read Bass Clef

One part of reading music is knowing the letter names of the notes, which determine the "pitch": how high or low the music sounds. Here's how you do it in bass clef (the curvy one with two dots)!

📄 Rhythm Reference

The counting of every rhythm students will encounter in middle school band

📄 Practice Chart

A blank copy of the practice chart students are required to fill out and have signed each lesson (about once a week). Lesson assignments and grades will be found on practice charts.

📄 Private Lesson Teachers

A list of some local private lesson teachers for your convenience. Compared to our group lessons in school, it's fun and very educational to have a whole block of time for just you! (And private lesson time counts as practice minutes!)

📄 Scales (Treble Clef)

Here's a reference for all 15 major scales, for treble clef instruments.

📄 Scales (Bass Clef)

Here's a reference for all 15 major scales, for bass clef instruments.