2025 NAMM Show Session
Building Bridges: Creating Cohesive, Thriving Music Feeder Programs
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Test Drive Information
Fifth grade elementary school students who are slated to attend Mannion Middle School are invited to participate in "Instrument Test Drives" in the Spring. During these test drives, students are invited to try all the instruments offered in beginning band to determine their aptitude on each. Student leaders from the Foothill High School Band Program help to facilitate the instrument "try-outs" and record an aptitude score on the sheet provided by the directors. Their director, Travis Pardee, helps to facilitate the woodwind room, Michael Weber, Foothill HS Trumpet Specialist, helps facilitate the brass room, and Adam Steff, Foothill HS Percussion Specialist, helps to facilitate the percussion room. Once students have tried all the instruments they are interested in playing, they meet with Nikko Lopez, Mannion MS Director of Bands, to review their options and make a final selection. At this time, students and families are provided information on how to rent an instrument from the school or local music stores, and are provided with a list of private lesson teachers in the area. They are encouraged to rent their instrument from a local music store and begin lessons with a reputable private teacher. Students are not provided a school instrument for the summer unless they can verify they are taking private lessons.
Fifth grade elementary school students who are slated to attend Mannion Middle School are invited to participate in "Instrument Test Drives" in the Spring. During these test drives, students are invited to try all the instruments offered in beginning band to determine their aptitude on each. Student leaders from the Foothill High School Band Program help to facilitate the instrument "try-outs" and record an aptitude score on the sheet provided by the directors. Their director, Travis Pardee, helps to facilitate the woodwind room, Michael Weber, Foothill HS Trumpet Specialist, helps facilitate the brass room, and Adam Steff, Foothill HS Percussion Specialist, helps to facilitate the percussion room. Once students have tried all the instruments they are interested in playing, they meet with Nikko Lopez, Mannion MS Director of Bands, to review their options and make a final selection. At this time, students and families are provided information on how to rent an instrument from the school or local music stores, and are provided with a list of private lesson teachers in the area. They are encouraged to rent their instrument from a local music store and begin lessons with a reputable private teacher. Students are not provided a school instrument for the summer unless they can verify they are taking private lessons.