Alex Ovando (Band Director)
Yelena Ovando (Program Administrator)
Zeke Wright (Music Director)
Music Box Inc.
www.MusicBoxInc.com/band-lessons
info@musicboxinc.com
(901) 626-0973 (text / call)
Course Description. Ongoing Program, students can join after any quarterly Audition. Calendar Year (January 1 - December 31).
This Band program is designed to provide students with a learning experience and musical growth, in a
group setting. Curriculum for this program is an extension of the skills and concepts that are introduced
in the instrument and vocal learning programs at Music Box.
Course Objectives. Students who participate in this program successfully will be:
• Learning music as a language (sight reading, improv, composition, technique)
• Learning from a trained and experienced Band Director
• Learning from their Band peers
• Learning from guest speakers & educators
• Learning how to set up their instrument and gear
• Working as a team: work through challenges, reflect on failures, wins, while strengthening
emotional intelligence skills through multiple positive social interactions
• Building onto their individual and collective identity
• Strengthening their self-awareness, as well as communications, leadership & adaptability skills
• Developing through the experience of various public performances
• Arranging, creating music & songs
• Improving their musicianship
• Coaching each other and providing positive and constructive feedback
• Mastering performance skills
• Having Fun!
Sample Rehearsal Activities
- Team building / Announcements
- Theory and technique
- Learning the groove
- Performance coaching
- Improvisation (Week A), Sight reading (Week B), Arranging (Week C)
- Review and practices assignments
- Setting up and breaking down the stage set
- Always preparing for the next performance(s)
As part of this program, Music Box provides and covers:
• Music (i.e. digital catalog, customized sheet music, etc.), software & compliance (i.e. copyright,
license fees, etc.)
• Learning resources, materials and supplies (for reading, writing, playing and composing, as
well as music production)
• Music Director (management of rehearsals, performances, music, learning materials,
technology, connectivity, homework, progress tracking and more).
• Administrator (communications with venues, partners, parents, students, procurement,
printing, annual performance calendar and more)
• Marketing activity and costs (flyers, partnerships, sponsorships, digital advertizing, programs,
social media management, marketing campaings, e-mails and more)
• Booking (scouting of venues and events, relationship, scheduling, payment (many require
payment or minimum ticket sales), parking arrangements and more)
• Set up and break down (incl. transportation, load on and off of all instruments, equipment and
gear) at each performance (average additional time for Music Box crew for these activities is 5
additional hours per gig)
• Weekly rehearsal time & space (including the necessary set ups and break downs)
• Instruments (i.e. keyboards, guitars, basses, percussion instruments, microphones), stage
gear (i.e. cables, capos, music stands, drum sticks, etc.), equipment (i.e. amps, sound and
lighting, mixers, connectivity, laptops, ipads, etc.) and the maintenance associated with each.
Students can bring their own string instruments, drum sticks, picks and capos to the rehearsals)
• Working access to Music Box learning apps and online portal (for communications, important
information, homework, time and payment management)
• Team building activities (incl. cost of space & activities (if at Music Box), food, snacks, drinks,
etc.)
• Recording (applicable to higher tier bands) - booking of sessions, all costs of educators, sound
engineers, mastering and arranging the tracks.
All student families are committing to and are responsible for:
- Attendance (rehearsals, performances, and all special events) - at least 80% of all rehearsals and
performances
- Representing Music Box brand responsibly (adhering to all behavioral guidelines, school policies
and stage presence, as rehearsed)
- Maintaining good academic standing at Music Box
- Purchasing and wearing a Music Box t-shirt / hoodie for all Music Box performances
- Learning their music and parts for rehearsals and performances
- Timely, transparent and effective communication of upcoming scheduling conflicts, absences, or
issues
- Transportation to and from rehearsals, performances, recordings, team building actives and other
events related to this Band program.
- Purchasing tickets to performance venues when required by the venue
- Cost of additional team building events, outside of Music Box or Music Box sponsored events
Additional Success Tips
Daily Practice
Students will be required to practice assigned Band homework every day, for approximately 20 minutes
daily. These assignments are in addition to the lesson notes from individual lessons.
Class Participation
Bands are formed via Band Auditions (offered quarterly at Music Box)
Students are required to attend rehearsals, there are no make ups for missing practice. If a Band
member misses more than 5 rehearsals in 6 months, their spot will be given away to another student on
the Band Program waiting list.
An occasional rehearsal may be cancelled or rescheduled for another day by the Band Director.
Communication
The band members will be communicating their absences and questions to the Band Director via their
Music Box online portal (www.MusicBoxInc.com/login)
Band Rules:
- Music Box Student Success Tips strongly apply to our collective attitude in this Band Program. A copy
can be found at www.MusicBoxInc.com/student-success-tips
- Practice
- Patience
- Praise
- Participation
- Also:
- Be on time: rehearsal time is hard to come by, no matter what age you are. Respecting others’
time is extremely important.
- Be prepared & alert: When the students do not practice, the whole band is affected, and vice
versa. Be present and give your 100% to this dedicated time with your Band mates.
- Be respectful & kind: Don’t play or talk over others, treat others with respect and courtesy.
Band Grade Levels
Grade 1: School Band
Objectives:
• Develop basic musical skills and understanding.
• Foster teamwork and group cohesion.
• Introduce students to performing in front of an audience.
Goals:
• Learn at least 6 songs in a year.
• Perform 3 shows outside of Music Box (shorter sets)
• Perform 4 shows at Music Box (shorter sets)
Grade 2: Concert Band
Objectives:
• Enhance musical technique and reading skills.
• Introduce more complex musical pieces and varied genres.
• Build confidence in public performances.
Goals:
• Learn at least 8 songs in a year.
• Perform 3 shows outside of Music Box.
• Perform 4 shows at Music Box.
Grade 3: Show Band
Objectives:
• Master a wide range of musical styles including contemporary and popular music.
• Develop showmanship and stage presence.
• Encourage improvisation and solo performances.
• Introduce the basics of studio recording.
Goals:
• Learn at least 10 songs in a year.
• Perform 4-5 shows outside of Music Box (some are competitions).
• Perform 4 shows at Music Box.
• 1 recording studio session to record selected songs.
Grade 4: All-Star Band
Objectives:
• Achieve professional-level performance skills.
• Perform complex and challenging musical pieces.
• Develop leadership skills and mentor younger band members.
• Gain advanced experience in studio recording.
Goals:
• Learn at least 12 songs in a year.
• Perform 4-5 shows outside Music Box (some are competitions).
• Perform 4 shows at Music Box.
• 1 recording studio session to produce a professional-quality recording of selected songs.
Sample Annual Performance Calendar
April - Memphis Redbirds - pre-game and National Anthem - at Autozone Stadium in Downtown
(all bands)
June 21 - Make Music Day - at Music Box Germantown (all bands)
July - City Talent Competition - Overton Park Shell (Level 3-4 bands)
August Performance Workshops - Music Box Birthday Bash - at Music Box (all bands)
September - Delta Fair - at Memphis Agricenter at Shelby Farms (all bands)
September - Germantown Fall Festival (Saturday and Sunday) - at Germantown Civic Center
Park (all bands)
November - Recording (studio time) - (Level 2 -4 bands)
November - Memphis Hustle Game - National Anthem, half-time and post-game shows (2 out of 4 bands by audition)
November - Performance Workshops in Germantown and Collierville (all bands)
December 21 - Make Music Day Collierville (all bands)
Sample Team-Building Activities
February - Iris Collective (live music) - at Music Box Germantown (all bands)
March - Music Box Showteam (live music) - at GPAC (level 1 band)
September - Cooper Young - Karaoke - Memphis Mid-town (all bands)
December - prep and Collierville Parade (Friday night) (Level 1-3)
December - prep and Germantown Parade (Saturday) (Level 1-3 all bands)
All planned events and dates are subject to change.
*) This document is evergreen and is a subject to changes and updates.
**) Last Updated 9.24.2024