About Our Band
The Jim Ned Band is a family. We look out for each other by making sure that each student feels comfortable and important in our band, regularly checking student grades and finding ways to help them keep them up, and teaching them that when you put the time into something you will ultimately be successful. Our band program is built to not only give students success while they are in a band class, but to teach them the habits that will allow them to be successful in all walks of life. Our rich history of success is a great part of what we are able to accomplish, however it is not the most important part.
Instruments
We are proud to be able to provide instruments to students, however we do have a limited supply. For families that are looking to invest in an instrument, we do work very closely with Tarpley Music Company and recommend them for all purchases. Tarpley has a list of approved quality instruments and does a rent to own program - you make monthly payments on your instrument until you pay it off, then it is yours! If you have any questions about this process, please do not hesitate to ask one of your band directors.
*We are not able to supply any saxophones to students. All saxophone students must purchase their own instrument. We recommend purchasing through Tarpley Music.
Band Fees
We do have band fees and Jim Ned. The standard 6th grade fee is $30 and is used to supply your child with an instrument supply kit. They will use these kits to clean and help maintain their instruments, and the kit is something they can continue to use as long as they’re in band! Our 6th grade percussionists will have a $100 fee (7th and 8th grade percussionists have fees of $30). This is used to pay for a stick bag, sticks, mallets, and two technique books that will belong to your child. All fees are due by the end of the first six weeks, and we will provide a fundraising opportunity to help with those fees.
Spring Trip
All of the bands in the Jim Ned band program take trips, starting small and ending large! Middle school trips are $30. Our 7th and 8th Grade Bands go to the NRH2O water park in the DFW area, and our High School Band goes to places like Winter Park, CO for a music festival and some skiing, or Branson, MO. They’re even going to Disney World to march in the parade and spend several days in the parks this year!
Fundraising
We do provide a great fundraising opportunity throughout that can be applied to band fees and/or the spring trip. Our band does the Texas Value Card fundraiser, where students sell a coupon book and make a $10 profit per book. Most students who participate in the fundraiser are able to pay for their fees and trip all through the fundraiser. For families who do not wish to participate in any fundraising, you can pay for these items directly out of pocket.
Concert Attire
We do have specific uniforms for our performances throughout the year. 7th and 8th grade students will wear their band shirt and jeans in the fall, but concert black for the UIL contest and festivals in the spring. Our concert attire will be concert black, which is all black. Boys: black long sleeve button down, black pants, black shoes (do not have to be dress shoes), black belt. Girls: same as above or black dress/skirt. Leggings/hose are a must. No heels, flats, please. Sleeves should be ¾ or full arm length.
Communication
We pride ourselves on transparency and communication. We know that no family is the same, so we have several methods of communication we use to ensure that each family gets all of the information. It also allows you to have multiple ways to get in touch with us.