Cadets

A parent should contact the director Mrs. Karen Borow, at Contact Us as early as possible, before fall, to explore instrument choices and learn more about the program. The next step is deciding what instrument the student is interested in playing. While some may already have a very definite idea, others may not. If the instrument choice is known, you can skip the rest of this paragraph. Otherwise, for any student wishing to learn about the various instrument choices, and to help them make a decision, you are encouraged to contact the director to make an appointment for one of the instrument tryout (fitting) opportunities at her home. The fitting dates for 2025 are 4/29, 5/27, 6/24, 7/22 and 8/26. There may or may not be a September fitting. A prior appointment must be made with director, Mrs. Borow. With mom or dad, she will schedule a time on one of those dates to allow you to try all the instruments to determine which one best suits you and your inclinations.

After the instrument choice has been made, you need to acquire the instrument. The band has a large inventory of used instruments at nominal rental fees for band members. Check with the director, Mrs. Karen Borow, about the band’s rates and available instruments. Parents may choose to rent or buy an instrument from a music store. We also have a list of Music-Instrument-Repair Stores on our Forms/Documents webpage under general information. Here are a few random names from that list:

• Ellman’s Music Center, 503 W 5th Ave, Naperville, (630) 355-5880
• Naperville Music, 636 E Ogden Ave, Naperville (just west of Columbia) 1-630-355-1404. They have a 3 month, introductory rate for rental instruments.
• Music and Arts, 907 W Irving Park Road near Rt, 53, Itasca, (630) 285-1485
• Horn Stash (Sales division of Fix This! Instrument Repair), 744 E Northwest Highway Palatine, (847) 359-4444

Once you have an instrument you will need a few more things. The next most important is the Home Helper book w/CD which is more foundational with weekly lessons. The earlier in the summer you start using this resource, the better. After completing Home Helper, you may start working on the first two pages in Essential Elements for Band, Book 1 “Gold” which will be the first two weeks’ band assignment. (Or you can use Essential Elements 2000, Book 1, “Gold” the older title, which has the same contents.) See near the top our Music Resources page for a document about how to access Essential Elements Interactive resources.

Student and adult musicians need to print and complete the Winter Registration Form, which can be found on our FORMS/DOCUMENTS webpage near the end of July. There is a place for you to indicate your choice(s) for the required Booster hours, the Commitment page and a Handbook Agreement to sign. Due to increasing conflicts with other activities, all members are required to complete the Commitment page which is the third page of the Registration Form. You will need to list known conflicts/absences and a parent’s signature is required. Include any applicable rental forms and fees for students and adults alike. The deadline for registration and applicable rental forms is TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2025. There is a discount for three or more children with the fee schedule shown on the registration form. Mail your completed registration, applicable rental form(s) and check to the address on the form. No checks will be accepted without a completed form and vice-versa.

NEW MEMBERS’ NOTE: All new members are required to accompany your parent(s) to the Overview and Orientation meeting sometime in September. See our online CALENDAR for the exact date, time and location for this meeting as well as for the first band practice.

While cadets are not featured at the WSHSB formal concerts, Cadets have two separate performances, winter and spring, for their families during their regular rehearsal time. Specifics are included in the weekly Rehearsal Notes after details are finalized.

Students may repeat the Cadet level instructions as many seasons as is necessary, based on the parents’/director’s evaluation. Cadets who choose to repeat or do not pass to Concert Junior do not continue with new material the second year, rather they start at the beginning of the book with all the new Cadets.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR CADETS AND FIRST YEAR JUNIOR PERCUSSIONISTS – For a Cadet (beginner) percussionist, the focus is on developing rhythms and skills on bells. However, there must be equivalent time spent doing the same on snare, bass, and other percussion instruments. Therefore, it is expected of Cadet percussion students, who pass the Junior audition, to attend Cadet band for a second concert season, September through May, in addition to attending Junior band rehearsals.

This serves a two-fold purpose. Because Junior percussionists play a variety of percussion instruments their time on drums is limited. Playing with the Cadet Band they play other instruments beside bells which further develops their rhythmic reading skills. While doing so they provide the necessary drum beat while the new Cadets learn to play the bells.

REMINDER for Adult Helpers – no audition is required for Cadet or Junior band. Adult helpers wishing to move up to Senior or Symphonic need to produce a one-time, acceptable audition.

All equipment and books on the lists below,
must be clearly LABELED with the student’s name.

(additional percussion supplies follow this list)

• Working instrument, with labeled case or equipment bag
• Folding music stand label all parts, if there is a music stand case, it too should be labeled.
• Recommended – BOOK w/CD – HOME HELPER: FIRST LESSONS AT SCHOOL AND AT HOME (instrument specific) by James O. Froseth, GIA publications, Inc
  Link if you can’t find it in stores – GIA Music Ed, Beginner Band. Some instrument titles are available on Amazon – search GIA Home Helper.
  It is recommended that all beginners obtain (purchase or borrow) the Home Helper book earlier in the summer.
• REQUIRED – BOOK – ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS for Band, BOOK 1 “Gold” (instrument specific). (Or you can use Essential Elements 2000, Book 1, “Gold” the older title, which has the same contents, but not as many online resources)
  If you have any difficulty locating these books, we know they can be ordered online through JW Pepper. Allow 2 to 4 weeks for delivery. For additional resources see the “Music and Instrument Stores” document on Forms/Documents
• Sharpened pencil You should bring a pencil with you to band practice to make notes.
• Metronome – Recommended for Cadet daily practice at home.

• Bells on stand and mallets
• Practice drum pad on stand and sticks (for second trimester)