VWCS bands seek beginning students

The Van Wert City Schools Band Department is looking for beginning band students. Each spring, the band program enrolls new band students for next year’s fifth grade beginning band. All current Van Wert fourth-graders are eligible to enroll.

In order to be a part of this successful program, students and their parents need to meet with a band director to find an instrument that fits the student.

Appointments will be scheduled for either Tuesday, May 3, or Thursday, May 5, from 3:45-6:30 p.m., in the band room at Van Wert High School. Appointments are scheduled every 15 minutes.

During this time, students will have the opportunity to try out several different instruments, while a representative from Rettig Music Inc. will be on hand to handle a rent-to-own program for those in need of a quality instrument. Beginning lessons begin May 23.

The Van Wert band program is a successful grades 5-12 program that offers many opportunities to each grade level of student. Band students are accepted annually to prestigious honors bands throughout the state, receive superior ratings at solo and ensemble events and often decide to continue with a career in music.

The band program features the “Cougar Pride” Marching Band that performs at football games and in local parades, as well as concert bands that regularly qualify for State Concert Band competitions. The band program has also traveled to Orlando, Fla., New York City and Chicago.

To find out more about the Van Wert bands, visit the band program’s website at www.vanwertbands.org or “like” them on Facebook at Van Wert Bands Information.

To sign up for a fitting time, call the band office at 419.238.3722 or email instructor Robert Sloan at r_sloan@vwcs.net. Older students are also welcome.