• Desert Sage Gecko Band Information

     

    Hello Parents/Guardians,

    My name is David Zapotocky (Mr. Z), and I am the band director at Desert Sage Elementary School. I also teach band at Arrowhead Elementary School. I thank you for taking time to learn about the band program at Desert Sage.

    BEGINNING BAND HANDBOOK and ADVANCED BAND HANDBOOK -- sign-up sheet for band

    There are two links below for the different Band handbooks.

    The Beginning Band Handbook is for students in the 5th grade. It is assumed they are just starting to learn a band instrument, but 5th graders with experience playing a band instrument are welcome to join.

    The Advanced Band Handbook is for students in the 6th grade who are going into their second year (or more) of playing a band instrument. It is also for 6th grade students who are starting a new instrument or joining for the first time.

    Please click on the appropriate link and take time to go through the handbook of your choice. It will answer many questions you might have.

    After you have gone through the handbook, and you have decided to sign your student up for Band, please print out and complete the Acknowledgment Form (the registration form for band) and have your student return it to me at Desert Sage.

    There will be a separate form for securing a music program shirt. We will be doing a student art contest to design a brand-new music program shirt! You can fill out what size your student will need at the bottom of the Acknowledgment Form. 

    BAND CLUB - 5TH GRADE and 6TH GRADE

    There is also a link for the Desert Sage Band Clubs. There are permission slips for the 5th Grade Band Club and the 6th Grade Band Club.

    Students have an opportunity to meet after school to get extra help practicing their instrument, have an alternate place to practice when it is difficult to practice at home, retake playing assessments, practice with a friend or small group, get help learning music they can perform at the solo/ensemble festival, or receive help practicing audition music for the 好色导航Honor Band Festival (6th grade). You will need to specify on the permission slip how the your student will get home (bike, walk, pick up). Students must be picked up by 4:20 PM. District transportation is not provided.

    5th GRADE STUDENTS will meet on TUESDAYS from 3:30-4:15 PM
    6th GRADE STUDENTS will meet on WEDNESDAYS from 3:30-4:15 PM

    SECURING AN INSTRUMENT AND SUPPLIES (INSTRUMENT RENTAL NIGHT

    Please read through the information in the handbook on supplies that are needed for the instrument of your student's choice. There will be an Instrument Rental Night held in the cafeteria at Desert Sage on Wednesday, August 7 from 6:00-7:00 PM. Representatives from Milano Music will host the event. You are welcome to rent instruments and purchase supplies from other music stores. I highly recommend renting an instrument for band as opposed to purchasing. If you have a financial burden or are unable to rent an instrument, the school has a limited supply that can be loaned. Please include a note on the acknowledgment form for band and I will get in touch right away. 

    When you do rent an instrument, please make sure to take the supply list so you can purchase everything that is needed. There is a link for the supply list on this page. It includes the book we will be studying out of and all of the supplies needed for particular instruments. Students who use a school instrument must also purchase the other needed supplies.

    If you can't make the Instrument Rental Night, Music & Arts is the closest music store to our school. It is located at 5350 W Bell Rd, Suite 132, Glendale, AZ 85308.

     

    I am really looking forward to your student participating in band this year. It will be fun and a lot will be learned!

    If you have any questions, please contact me at my email (the best way to reach me) or leave a message by phone.

    Sincerely,

    David Zapotocky

    Director of Bands and Music Educator / DVUSD

    david.zapotocky@dvusd.org

    Arrowhead (623) 376-4172 (mornings)

    Desert Sage (623) 445-4760 (afternoons)

     

     

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    Instrument Rentals:

    In addition to the instrument rental, you will need certain supplies to go with the instrument. Reference the following supply list when renting an instrument.