Choose Band as an Elective
Joining the band at Valley Ridge Academy is an opportunity that pays dividends for students in artistic development, academic growth, honing responsibility, and building friendships. We offer four band classes:
Beginning Band: first year in band, typically 6th grade, but open to all grades.
Concert Band: second year in band, typically 7th grade.
Symphonic Band: third year in band, advanced, typically 8th grade.
Jazz Band: an additional class, auditioned and selective, 7th and 8th grade.
First, developing the skill to perform on a musical instrument is attainable for all students and a big self-esteem boost. Musicianship is a skill that children can carry with them all their lives, even if they do not pursue music formally as adults. Performing music and understanding music grants your child the chance to experience joy, master a talent, and play with friends in a healthy environment. Music is a phenomenon that improves the quality of life for all involved.
One study found that “85% of adults wished they could play an instrument.”[1] Middle school is a logical and opportune time to learn this lifelong skill. Everyone thrives when they have a strong positive identity. Your child can benefit from music!
Second, music for the sake of music itself is a worthy endeavor, but there are also numerous academic benefits correlated with participation in a school music program. Many scientific studies have presented findings that learning music improves brain development, spatial reasoning, math skills, and standardized test outcomes.[2][3][4][5]
Third, students in the band at VRA have formal and informal situations to take responsibility and grow into wonderful young adults. Students spend class time caring for and maintaining their instruments. They organize their music binders and common areas of the classroom. They learn how to set up stages and equipment in various locations. Band gives many kids their first taste of responsibility outside the home, relying on their “bandmates” and working for them as well.
Finally, we are a “band family.” The most rewarding part of being their teacher is seeing the 8th graders greet each other each morning, support each other, and take a genuine interest in the well-being of each other. They start in band as individuals with their own social groups, but after being in the band, they grow into supportive teammates. Throughout their time in band, they develop strong and positive connections with their peers and learn how to collaborate, cooperate, and communicate. This not only makes them better prepared for a successful adulthood, but it enhances their lives through enriching friendships made in the band room.
How Do We Get Started in Band?
We spend the first few weeks of the new school year learning about, and trying out, the different instruments offered in the band.
You do NOT need to get an instrument right now – I will help your child through the process of finding the best instrument for them.
The instruments offered in the beginning band are as follows: flute, clarinet, oboe, saxophone, french horn, trumpet, trombone, baritone, tuba, bass, and percussion.
Once instruments are assigned, I will provide details on how to obtain them. Most students rent an affordable instrument from a local music store for $25-40 a month. If you have a financial need, DO NOT worry!! We can find solutions. We want you here!
Please be wary of buying a cheap instrument online. Most instruments online that seem like a good deal are actually a very low quality that will frustrate the student as they are harder, or impossible to sound good on, and they cannot be repaired. Once it breaks, it is unusable.
How much time does band take after school? 
We do NOT hold regular after school practices. In the past 2 years, we have had none. We get a lot accomplished during class! Any after school practice will be VERY rare and only due to a currently unforeseen opportunity.
Students in Beginning Band have 3 evening concerts for families throughout the school year and are graded as summative assessments. Students in Concert and Symphonic Band have 4 evening concerts. We make the band friendly towards our members’ busy academic, athletic, youth group, and personal schedules.
What if my child is busy with sports and/or advanced classes?
That is great and it will work well with being in the band! We currently have band students that play team sports at VRA like football, soccer, basketball, volleyball, cheerleading. We have students on community sports teams, students with busy dance schedules, youth group commitments, and more.
We do our best to plan around official VRA sport calendars. It is important to the band that we support all facets of our school. Of course, sometimes a schedule conflict may be inevitable – we do our best to work it out in advance ahead of time.
Band also fits well with a busy, advanced academic course load. Many of our students are in advanced classes and thrive academically.
What if My Child Doesn’t Read Music Yet?
We learn how to read music during Beginning Band. All a child needs to join band is a desire to learn music! We take care of the rest.
Is band expensive?
We try to make it affordable. We ask for families to pay a once a year $125 band fee to our Band Booster organization – this is how we buy new music, supplies, and buses for our students. If you cannot pay, it is okay! Please do not let money stop your student from joining. We have scholarship and fee waiver options so that EVERY child can join if they want to learn music and be in the VRA Band.
About the teacher
Mr. Andrew Burk is currently in his 6th year of teaching middle school band. He has taught in South Florida, briefly in Virginia, and here for 4 years at Valley Ridge Academy. Under his direction, the program has added a Jazz Band, travelled to various locations to perform including Universal Studios and Icemen Hockey Games, and has built a culture of excellence in music. In 2022, he was named the St. Johns County District Teacher of the Year. In his spare time, he is a DIY home renovator and an amateur kickball athlete.
[1] https://books.google.com/books?id=8AvffQL_Dg4C&pg=PA2&lpg=PA2&dq=how+many+adults+wish+they+played+an+instrument&source=bl&ots=R-970AS4cR&sig=ACfU3U1t4JmHEI_DwsswtSeUOzuujksq3g&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj81MSM9dT2AhXJRjABHaJqBYEQ6AF6BAg3EAM#v=onepage&q=how%20many%20adults%20wish%20they%20played%20an%20instrument&f=false
[2] https://www.jneurosci.org/content/32/34/11507.short
[3] https://www.jstor.org/stable/3333641
[4] https://www.jstor.org/stable/3333643
[5] https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/8755123308322270
