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    Welcome to the Fort Couch Bands!  
     
    Welcome to the Fort Couch Middle School Bands! Our performance groups include the 7th and 8th Grade Concert Band, the Honors Symphonic Winds, the Jazz Band, and Percussion Ensemble. We also have a variety of chamber ensembles.    
     
     
    WELCOME FORT COUCH BAND PARENTS
    Welcome to our Fort Couch Band Family! If you missed our parent meeting, I listed below a PDF from our meeting that includes all required materials. 
     
    FORT COUCH CONCERT BAND (2019-2020) Remind Class 
    Please join our Fort Couch Concert Band (2019-2020) Remind Class for Updates on our Band Schedule and events throughout the school year. 
     
    JOIN THE BAND! 
    This is going to be an exciting school year! Please click on the link listed below and complete the form to enroll in the Fort Couch Band Program (2019-2020).
     
     
    I invite you to explore the information on our Band Program. Please plan to review the announcements in the Parents and Students section with schedules and updates on band information.
     
    Class Materials
    Please secure the texts and materials for our lessons and rehearsals each week. All of the texts may be purchased on Amazon or from one of the music dealers listed below. Please let me know if you have any questions.   

    Supplies Provided by the School

    • iPad (Please review suggested apps in Self-Service) 
    • The New SmartMusic Student Subscription
    • Music First Student Subscription 
    • 1" Black three-ring binder
    • Plastic Sheet Protectors
    • Pencil 
     
    You may order the required materials for the Fort Couch Band program through Johnstonbaugh's Music and Volkwein's Music. Please plan to order the materials on/before September 20, 2019. Either music store will deliver the materials to Fort Couch Middle School on Friday mornings. I listed below the required materials and the links to the music store webpages.  
    • Habits of a Successful Musician text (instrument specific)
    • Essential Elements for Band Book 2 with EEI text (instrument specific) 
    • Korg TM 60 Tuner/Metronome 
    • Peterson TP-3 Clip (Wind Instruments Only)
    Johnstonbaugh's Music (Fort Couch Band Page)
     
    Volkwein's Music (Fort Couch Band Page)
     

    All Jazz Band Students

    •  Essential Elements for Jazz Ensemble 
     
    Practice Chart
    Practice charts are due on FRIDAY and must be signed by a parent or guardian. The practice chart may be downloaded from the link listed below. The band student is encouraged to apply the concepts of deliberate practice reviewed each week in lessons. Research indicates that shorter amounts of daily practice (15-20 minutes) are more effective than one or two extended practice sessions.
     
      
     
    Sheet Music  
    Students should place all sheet music in plastic sheet protectors. New music will be given to each student throughout the school year. The student may review the Showbie app to secure any missing parts.
     
    Music Stores
    Please visit one of the music stores listed below to purchase any materials.  
      
    Hollis and Germann Music
    4136 Library Road
    Pittsburgh, PA 15234
    Phone: (412) 531-2781
     
    Johnstonbaugh's Music Center  
    Chartiers Valley Shopping Center
    1025 Washington Pike 
    Bridgeville, PA 15017  
    Phone: (412) 221-2990
     
    Volkewein's Music
    138 Industry Drive
    Pittsburgh, PA 15275
    Phone: (800) 553-8742 
      
    Brighton Music Center
    2110 Babcock Blvd.
    Pittsburgh, PA 15209
    Phone: (412) 821-5908