School Instrument Rental Fees are in Infinite Campus
If you are renting an instrument from the school, please pay the yearly rental fee in Infinite Campus at your earliest convenience. This rental fee pays for all the repairs and upkeep of our school instrument inventory. If you feel there has been an error, please contact us.
Band Lesson Academy
The Sun Prairie Band Booster Lesson Academy has been created to provide convenient access to quality private instrument instruction for interested students in the Sun Prairie Band Program. The program is designed to give students access to one-on-one instruction on their instrument with professional musicians/teachers that specialize on specific instruments. Students will focus on fundamental skills that are particular to their instrument. Instructors provide individualized assignments and instruction specific to the student’s particular abilities. The benefits of private instrument instruction include; accelerated study of instrument technique and repertoire, preparation of audition materials, or study of subjects of particular interest (e.g. solo literature or improvisation). Private study is a powerful tool in supporting musical growth in students. This program is organized by the Sun Prairie Band Boosters as a service to band students in Sun Prairie Schools.
The Sun Prairie Band Booster Lesson Academy is designed to serve those students not currently studying privately. It is not designed to take students away from local teachers not in the Sun Prairie Band Booster Lesson Academy and should not be interpreted as a signal to change teachers. There are many fine teachers in the immediate area who offer quality instruction.
Band Lesson Academy will take place at Central Heights Middle School on Tuesdays from 3:45 - 8:00. If you are interested in learning more about our Band Lesson Academy including how to register, cost, faculty, and general information please click on the link below.
Sun Prairie Honors Band opportunity-7th and 8th grade only
For the past 17 years, Sun Prairie has hosted a middle school honors band. An "honors band" is an event that brings together eager and accomplished students from a larger geographical area for a limited amount of time with the goal of learning music with a guest music educator usually culminating in a performance. The challenge, as you would suspect, is the limited amount of time available to rehearse and refine the music. Honor bands are fantastic opportunities to meet new students, learn new music, and to work with an outstanding educator.
This all sounds great doesn't it? Yet, keep in mind that students need to be ready for this type of experience. It takes maturity and stamina to remain focused and productive for an entire day of music-making. The student must also display a certain level of skill and maturity on their instrument to be accepted. Some honor bands require a live or recorded audition while others rely on a "paper application".
There are many honor band opportunities in our area. The first is our very own Sun Prairie Middle School Honors Band. All band students in grades 7, and 8 are eligible to apply for the group. Selection to this group is based on a paper application, recorded audition along with the music teacher's recommendation.
We would encourage all interested students to consider applying if they feel ready and excited by this opportunity. The event will be held on Saturday, November 9 at Central Heights Middle School in Sun Prairie. Interested students need to read through the linked information, fill out the paper application and complete the recorded audition. Applications and recorded auditions need to be completed by October 4th! Please return the paper application and recording to either Mrs. Vaughn or Mrs. Kading. Please ask if you need help with either of these requirements. Hard copies of the application and audition material will be available.
General Timeline:
October 8, 2023 – Applications due to Mrs. Vaughn or Mrs. Kading
October 14, 2023 – Performers are selected - students, caregivers, and directors emailed
November 9, 2023 – Festival Day
Instrument Rentals and Supplies
If your student still needs to rent an instrument or order supplies, please click on the appropriate link below to visit the Ward-Brodt website. Be sure to select "free school delivery" so your student's materials will be delivered directly to Prairie View. Financial assistance is available; please reach out to Mrs. Vaughn or Mrs. Kading to learn more.
IMPORTANT: Students playing the euphonium, tuba, french horn, tenor saxophone, oboe, bassoon, bass clarinet and percussion should NOT rent an instrument through Ward-Brodt. These instruments are rented exclusively through the school and the rental fee will be put on your student's Infinite Campus account. (see below)
What do students need for band this year?
1. Your band instrument in good playing condition. You may be renting already from Ward Brodt, own an instrument or using a school instrument. The key is to make sure it is working properly!
2. A pencil - keep one in band folder or instrument case.
3. Band Folder-you will receive this on the first day of class.
4. A Small Group Lesson Book "Student Instrumental Course" Book 1 for woodwind and brass players. Percussionists will use "Alfred Snare Drum Book"
6. Woodwind musicians make sure you have a box of good reeds to start the year.
7. Brass players should have valve oil and slide grease.
8. Percussionists should make sure they have all of the necessary mallets and sticks needed for this year. Consult the supply list linked below for more information. Make sure your sticks/mallets and clearly labeled with your name and keep them in a stick bag.
Concert Schedule and Attendance
Concerts are an extension of the band classroom and the learning that takes place every day. Music was created to be shared and not performed in isolation (or in the band room only). For this reason, we need to perform for an audience in order to share the wealth of learning that has taken place. This sharing helps the students to bring closure to the learning process and also propels them towards the next step in the journey. Student participation in concerts is vital to the success of all the students involved. Please make every effort to have your child be a part of these experiences. We are happy to talk to coaches & organization leaders to help navigate scheduling concerns as long as we have prior notice. If you have a reason to miss any performance, please contact your teacher as soon as possible prior to the concert date.
Concert Uniform
Concert attire is black pants and your student’s black Prairie View music shirt.
7th and 8th grade students should use their shirt from last year. 6th grade students will receive a shirt this year. The uniform can be used for all PV music ensembles 6-8 grade. 6th grade students will have a one-time course fee of $24 added to your student's infinite campus account to cover the cost of the shirt. If students grow out of their shirt before the end of 8th grade, we will exchange it for a bigger size free of charge.
Dark shoes are highly encouraged but not required.
Keep in mind that your student may go through several sizes of pants over the next two years…we recommend purchasing cheap pants for the time being. As long as they are black, they will work!
Find Us Online!
Teacher Contact Info
Mrs. Vaughn
(608) 834-7825
Mrs. Kading
(608) 834-7828