Welcome to the Ulrich Band!
On this page you will learn all you need to know to become a band member. The Ulrich Band is made up of some of the very best students at Ulrich Intermediate, and we get to experience tons of exciting activities and performing events throughout the year.
As a member of the band, you will learn how to read music and play an instrument (no experience required!) and join us for fun trips such as: Altitude Trampoline Park, Typhoon Texas Water Park, Six Flags Fiesta Texas Amusement Park, Main Event, and many other trips. Scroll below to learn about what is like to be a band student!
HOW TO JOIN BAND
Anyone can join band!
1. Decide if BAND is right for you. Talk it over with your family. You may be interested, but not completely sure what to play. That is okay! Look around on our website, email the directors if you have questions and talk to older kids you know in band.
2. The next step would be to select band as your first-choice elective when choosing classes for next year. We will send home information to all students who chose band as their first elective on how to sign up for an appointment to select your instrument.
3. Watch the videos below of each instrument to hear what they sound like. Choose the 3 instruments you are most interested in playing. Keep an open mind about all of the instruments because they are all fun to play!
4. Scroll to the bottom of this page and read our Frequently Asked Questions.
FLUTE
The flute is the smallest of the beginner instruments. It is a very popular selection each year!
Physical Characteristics: Flute players should have a slight "frown" to the upper lip with no tear drop shape in the middle of the top lip. Flute players should also have agile fingers. Students with large overbites should avoid choosing flute as this make it difficult to produce quality sounds.
Other Considerations: Students with extreme double-jointed fingers should avoid selecting flute as double-jointedness can cause lack of agility in the fingers.
10% of students will be selected to play FLUTE
Flute Personality: Conscientious
OBOE
The oboe looks similar to a clarinet but uses a double reed. Selection of players is extremely limited; very few will actually be selected to for oboe.
Physical Characteristics: Students with profound overbites or underbites would have difficulties producing good sounds.
Other Considerations: Because the oboe is such a difficult instrument to master, only students with high academic performance records and good behavior will be considered. Students are also required to maintain a supply of 4+ high quality reeds at all times. Ulrich provides Oboes for students at a cost of $50 rental for an entire school year.
2% of students will be selected to play OBOE
Oboe Personality: Studious
BASSOON
Physical Characteristics: A slight overbite is okay for students wishing to play bassoon, however, a student with an underbite should avoid bassoon. Agile thumbs are a necessity for playing bassoon proficiently as swell as a medium or large hands.
Other Considerations: Like the oboe, the bassoon is a difficult instrument to master, therefore only students with good study habits will be considered. Students are required to maintain a supply of 4+ high-quality reeds at ALL times. Ulrich provides Bassoons for students at a cost of $50 rental for an entire school year.
2% of students will be selected for BASSOON
Bassoon Personality: Serious
CLARINET
The clarinet uses a single reed and a mouthpiece to produce the sound. Willingness to purchase or rent the proper brand of clarinet is MUST.
Physical Characteristics: One necessity of clarinet tone production is the ability to make the chin flat. Orthodontia is okay, but if a student has an extremely rounded bottom row of teeth, the mouthpiece will be hard to place in the proper position for tone production.
Other considerations: Instruction in clarinet can be meticulous. Students who are able to focus on and perform a detailed series of instructions will do well on clarinet. Clarinet players are also responsible for maintaining a working stock of 4+ quality reeds.
20% of students will be selected to play CLARINET
Clarinet Personality: Focused
SAXOPHONE
The alto saxophone is indeed considered a woodwind instrument and uses a single reed. The alto saxophone is a very popular instrument like the flute and only a few students will be chosen to play it.
Physical Characteristics: Since the balance of the saxophone is maintained by the use of a neck strap, it is extremely important that students be able to sit up completely straight when asked to.
Other Considerations: Saxophone players are responsible for maintaining a working stock of 4+ quality reeds. Students will have the opportunity after their first year to audition for Tenor Sax or Baritone Sax (based on their proven musical and behavioral abilities while in alto saxophone class).
8% of students will be selected for SAXOPHONE
Saxophone Personality: Mellow
TRUMPET
The trumpet is the smallest member of the brass family. The sound on trumpet is produced by buzzing into a small mouthpiece.
Physical Characteristics: While orthodontia is somewhat troublesome at first to a trumpet player, it is not impossible to make good sounds with braces. A slight overbite is okay, but an underbite can severely hinder progress on trumpet.
Other Considerations: Trumpet parts usually have the melody and lead role in the band, therefore students who choose and are selected for trumpet should exhibit a confident demeanor, strong personality, and demonstrate a high level of self-motivation.
12% of students will be selected for TRUMPET
Trumpet Personality: Confident
FRENCH HORN
The French Horn is also a member of the brass family. Its sound is produced by buzzing into a small mouthpiece similar to a trumpet. Students with good musical ears (such as choir students) should consider French Horn.
Physical Characteristics: A slight overbite is okay, but an underbite can severely hinder progress on French Horn. Because the bell of the French Horn rests on the knee of the player while playing, it is imperative that a student's upper torso be long enough to accommodate the size of the French Horn to make good sounds and that players be able to demonstrate sitting up straight when asked to do so. Also, the French Horn's keys are manipulated with the LEFT hand.
Other Considerations: Students should exhibit GREAT ability to match sung or played pitches by humming or singing. Perhaps this is a good instrument choice for students who have participated in piano lessons or honor choir groups. Students with a history of academic or behavioral problems will NOT be selected for French Horn. Ulrich provides French Horns for students at a cost of $50 rental for an entire school year.
10% of students will be selected for FRENCH HORN
French Horn Personality: Academic
TROMBONE
Like the French Horn, trombone players should have good "musical ears." The trombone is played like the other brass instruments (buzzing into a cup-shaped mouthpiece) but uses a slide. Players must rely on their muscle memory and hearing to tell if they are in the EXACT location. Students with good musical ears (such as choir students) should consider Trombone.
Physical Characteristics: A slight overbite is acceptable, while an extreme underbite would hinder success. Trombone players should have slightly fuller lips than average.
Other Considerations: Great trombone playing takes good concentration and study. Many quiet academicians have excelled at trombone.
12% of students will be selected for TROMBONE
TROMBONE PERSONALITY: Analytical
EUPHONIUM
The euphonium is sometimes known as the baritone. It is a member of the brass family and looks like a small version of a tuba.
Physical Characteristics: Euphonium players should have moderately full lips, but not too full. A SLIGHT overbite is okay, but an underbite would hinder a good sound. The euphonium requires a medium-sized hand span to reach the valves.
Other Considerations: Students with an above average amount of orthodontia will find the mouthpiece of the euphonium a bit more comfortable than trumpet or French Horn. Ulrich provides euphoniums at a cost of $50 rental for an entire school year, but students are required to purchase their own mouthpiece.
10% of students will be selected for EUPHONIUM
Euphonium Personality: Artistic
TUBA
The tuba is the largest instrument in the band, and while many believe it would be hard to physically manage, the tubas we use for beginners are 3/4 size and are easy to handle.
Physical Characteristics: Tuba players need to have full lips and a large lung capacity. While the size of the student doesn't matter TOO much, a long torso (upper body) helps a student reach the mouthpiece of the tuba while resting the bottom of the tuba on the edge of their chair or across the thighs.
Other Considerations: The tuba provides the musical foundation for the band and requires that are self-motivated over-achievers. Students with a history of academic trouble should not consider tuba as we rely heavily on the ability of the tuba players to be consistently UIL eligible. Ulrich provides tubas for students at a cost of $50 rental for an entire school year.
Tuba Personality: Unique
PERCUSSION
Just because you are always tapping on things does not mean you are a natural percussionist. In fact, the percussion section is one of the most select, hand-picked sections of the band. Only students with the highest grades, lowest discipline problems, and extremely high gross and fine motor skills will be considered for percussion. The percussion class is NOT a drum-set class.
Physical Characteristics: Students should exhibit a great deal of coordination in motor skills and sense of pulse.
Other Considerations: The study of percussion includes timpani, bells, triangle, tambourine, maracas, claves, among many other instruments. Ulrich provides the instruments to use in class for students at a cost of $50 for an entire school year.
Percussion Personality: Coordinated
Frequently Asked Questions
Which instruments are available to choose from?
In beginning band, students are divided into classes by instrument. The following instruments will be available for you to choose from: flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, alto saxophone, cornet, french horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba and percussion.
Do I have to know anything about music to join band?
No. Everything you need to know to play an instrument will be taught in your band class. Any training in music you already have will be very helpful, but it is not required.
I don't know what instrument I should play. Will someone advise me?
The band directors will meet with you and your parents in a personal interview at your instrument selection appointment. At that time, we will assist you in selecting the instrument that is best for you by having you make a sound on the instruments, looking at your facial features and getting to know your personality. Depending on your physical characteristics, you may progress faster on one instrument than you would on another. Our experienced staff will offer you the best advice possible in your instrument selection.
How much time will this take?
As a beginning band student, there are only 4 times during the whole year we will have practice outside of the regular school day. Students will need to practice individually at home.
If I join band, can I still be in football, cheer, theater, choir and other sports/clubs?
YES! Not only is participation in other organizations possible, it is encouraged. We work closely with the coaches, choir director and theater director to allow our students to participate in everything without having conflicts. Our band members participate in football, tennis, basketball, volleyball, soccer, track, cross-country, choir, theater, art, cheer, student council, NJHS, Destination Imagination and others.
Who is in the band at Ulrich?
Some of the nicest and brightest students are in the Ulrich Band. Your friends and fellow classmates will join you in what will be some of the most exciting times of your school days. The more friends, the more fun! Out of our 300 students in the band program, you will find the highest academic achievers in the school.
What fun things will I do in band?
The most obvious and rewarding of all is learning to play an instrument. We like to reward the students for their hard work and dedication by providing parties and very special trips. The Ulrich Band loves to have fun! Here are some of the fun things we have done in the past: Main Event, Hayride Christmas Tree Farm, Band Rock-a-Thon, Dallas Trip and Music Festival, Altitude Trampoline Park, Houston Symphony, Typhoon Texas Trampoline Park and many other trips!
What performance opportunities will I have?
As a beginner, you will perform at the Winter Concert, Spring Concert and the Klein ISD Music Festival. You will also have the opportunity to earn awards by performing at the Solo and Ensemble Festival. Our 7th and 8th grade bands compete at the UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contest, KISD Solo and Ensemble Festival, Ann Robert Music Festival, Falcon Concert Band Festival, Showcase of Music and Six Flags Over Texas and All-District/All-Region Competitions. The band is also a big source of school spirit at all the pep rallies.
How much money will this cost?
Fortunately, not much. The main cost is your instrument. Quality new and used instruments are available from most music stores. Many students rent an instrument on a rental/purchase plan at a competitively low, monthly cost. The school district provides the more expensive instruments to students for a very low, yearly maintenance fee. Please wait until the first meeting with the band directors before purchasing an instrument.
I want to join band! How do I get an instrument?
This will be explained to you at your instrument selection appointment. You will have several options. Most parents rent an instrument with an option to buy or upgrade later. The band directors have compiled a list of instrument brands and models we recommend.
How can I get more information about the Ulrich Band?
If you still have questions, we are very happy to answer them! Please contact the band directors:
Mike Rogers, Head Director - mrogers1@kleinisd.net
Mitchell Brackett, Assistant Director - mbrackett@kleinisd.net
Lilly Arnold, Assistant Director - larnold1@kleinisd.net