Dear GBMS Band Families,

We are looking forward to the Chesapeake All-City Middle School Band event on Friday, May 1 at Greenbrier Middle School.

Quick Overview
Arrival at GBMS: 8:30 AM
Concert: 6:30 PM at Greenbrier Middle School
Transportation: Bus to event, parent pickup after
Meals: Bring lunch, dinner provided
Dress: Arrive in concert black

Schedule
8:30 AM: Arrive at GBMS
8:45 AM: Report to Mr. Graybill’s room
9:15 AM: Depart for Greenbrier Middle School
10:00 AM: Rehearsals begin
11:00 AM: Lunch (bring packed lunch)
5:30 PM: Dinner provided
6:30 PM: Concert begins

Concert
The concert begins at 6:30 PM. Students will remain for the full performance and will be released to parents afterward.

Transportation
Students will travel by bus to Greenbrier Middle School. Parents are responsible for transportation home after the concert.

Meals
Students must bring a packed lunch and may bring a small snack. Dinner will be provided.

Dress
Students should arrive already dressed in concert attire: black shirt or blouse, black pants, black shoes, and black socks. A full-length black skirt may be worn instead of pants.

Expectations
Attendance is required for the full day and concert. Students may not leave for other activities.

Students should bring their instrument, music, a pencil, and any needed accessories such as reeds, valve oil, or mutes. No backpacks or Chromebooks are needed.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions.

Best,
Eric Graybill
Great Bridge Middle School Band

Good Morning Future Band Parents!

We are absolutely thrilled to welcome your child to the Great Bridge Middle School Band! Starting a musical instrument is the beginning of an incredible journey, and we are so excited that your family has chosen to be a part of our program.

In 6th-grade band, students have the opportunity to choose between the flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, and trombone. Whether your child already has a "dream instrument" in mind or isn't even sure what a trombone looks like yet, we are here to help!

The Next Step: Instrument Selection Appointments

To ensure every student finds their perfect musical fit, we meet with every student and their parents individually. This is a fun, low-pressure way for us to help your child try out different options and see which instrument feels just right.

Band Interview Instrument and Appointment Form

• Quick Tip: Instrument sections can fill up quickly! We recommend signing up as soon as possible to give your child the most flexibility in their choice.

• More Slots Coming: If you don't see a time that works for you right away, don't worry! We will be adding more appointment slots as we get closer to the end of the school year. We will have another appointment session in June and one in August.

A Few Important Notes:

• Hold off on Renting/Buying: Please do not rent or purchase an instrument before our meeting. Choosing the right "match" for your child’s physical ergonomics and musical interest is the most important step for their success, and we’ll guide you through everything you need to know during our appointment.

• A Note for Future Drummers: Students interested in percussion (xylophone and snare drum) will actually start the year on a wind instrument (flute, clarinet, sax, trumpet, or trombone). We will begin the percussion selection and instruction process in November!

For more details on the different instruments and what to expect, please visit our website. 

gbmsbands.org

We truly can’t wait to meet you and your budding musician. This is going to be an amazing year of making music together!

Sincerely,

Eric Graybill - Band Director

eric.graybill@cpschools.com

Benjamin Glosser - Band Director

benjamin.glosser@cpschools.com