Calling All 5th Grade Families
🎶 Join us for Instrument Rental Night, where your student can try out instruments and sign up for band! Experience the magic of music education up close and get all your questions answered.
Music education supports students in every area of their lives and their futures. Among the many benefits, music education is shown to:
- Improve reading and writing skills
- Raise math and history scores
- Reduce anxiety and regulate emotions
- Improve vocabulary and speech articulation
- Build confidence and increase happiness
We could go on and on, but who better to share why band is amazing than some of our past and present band students and their families? Here’s what they have to say:
“Music is my out. I can be in the worst mood, but when I step on the field and put my mouthpiece to my face, I know it’s go time. I drop everything going on to perform and bring joy to the audience watching.” —Matthew Debolt, senior
“Band has given me a family of my own and so many friends that I’m forever grateful for. They’ve changed my life.” —Olivia Bamfield, junior
“Band has greatly improved my confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills. I’ve met so many people I would’ve never talked to otherwise and I’m so glad I have them all in my life.” —Haylie Menefee, junior
“Music has allowed me to settle my mind. While the world is chaotic, it gives me an escape from the world and it resonates in the soul.” —Evan Davis, sophomore
“Marching band has brought me brought me many of my best friends and introduced me to an activity that I’m passionate about. It has helped me find myself as a person and really thrive.” —Adri Neininger, sophomore
“Band has made a huge impact on my life by providing a safe space for me to express myself freely and helping me meet a ton of new people.” —Bella Cunningham, freshman
“I never imagined myself as a band kid before I joined, but I am so grateful that I gave it a chance. Band showed me a different side of musicianship, competitive and fun, and helped me to meet the people that I now consider family. Joining band fostered my love for music and helped me realize that I could never give it up, which is why I am majoring in music in college now! ” —Grace Pauley, class of ’24
“Concert band was an important part of my children’s lives. They learned cooperation, collaboration, teamwork, creativity, and perseverance. In band, they learned to listen to the rest of the band and recognizing the dynamics of each section. These lessons carried over to their years in marching band, too. Now adults, my kids are better musicians today because of what they learned in concert band.” —Chris Lewis, parent
“Our oldest daughter, Chloe, currently attends WVU as a Music Industry major. She also manages the student-led label on campus, Go 1st Records. The music education and support from her teachers at IV gave her the foundation to become a singer/songwriter. It’s also helped our youngest, Paige, with her academics. Being part of the band makes her so happy and she enjoys every minute of it. We have seen her grow and mature because of it.” —Missy Martin, parent
“Band has helped my daughter feel like part of a team and find a sense of belonging. She has been in concert band since 5th grade and joined marching band this year, as a 7th grader. It has helped keep her active and given her social time she doesn’t get at home, being an only child. She has found her niche and love of music. As a parent, I love seeing my daughter smiling, happy, and thriving in band. I couldn’t be more thrilled to support her and her band-mates. It’s been an amazing group of people to join and be a part of their team. Go Braves! ” —Amanda Lynn Murphy, parent
Amazing, right? Come to Instrument Rental Night, Thursday Sept. 26 from 6-8 in the HS band room. There is nothing to lose, but everything to gain.
