Music Program

East Maine School District 63's Music Program offers students in grades 4-8 advanced musical training and a wide repertoire. Whether in the band, orchestra, or choir (at Gemini), participants receive an excellent musical education in a challenging, fun, and nurturing environment, and students commit to striving toward excellence in behavior, attitude, musicianship, teamwork, and personal musical growth.

Elementary programs have morning rehearsals once a week to build the musical foundations of playing: reading and notating music; performing, listening, describing, analyzing, and evaluating music and musical performances; and understanding music in relation to humanity.  

In addition, each student has a group lesson on a rotating schedule with three to five students who play the same instrument. Group lesson days are based on the availability of the instructor, instrument, and other classes (art, music, kinetic wellness, etc).

D63's Music Program is offered at no cost to families in grades 4-8, including instrument rental and maintenance.

2025-2026 Enrollment is open, the deadline is Tuesday, September 2.

To enroll in the Beginning Band or Orchestra Program: Log in to the Parent Portal. Follow this job aid to complete the enrollment process (en español). 

 District 63 offers a wide variety of band programs serving students from 4th to 8th grade in our five elementary schools and Gemini Middle School.   

6th and 7th grade Concert Bands are open to beginning to advanced band students at Gemini Junior High. Participants learn many essential musical skills, including reading notes and rhythms, performing, working toward successful performances as part of a team, and listening to and evaluating musical performances. Concert Band also focuses on discipline, honesty, cooperation, and working with classmates towards a common goal, and has fun doing it! 

Elementary Band is for 4th and 5th-grade students interested in learning to play a musical instrument. These students are in their preparatory stages of learning a wind instrument or percussion. In these first two years of their musical studies, they build a strong foundation of playing position, note reading, and playing in a musical ensemble.    

Gemini Jazz Bands are ensembles that play various styles of music, including jazz, rock, funk, and Latin music. Jazz Band 1 travels to at least two competitions and also performs at several other events each year. Auditions are required for entry to Jazz Band 1. Jazz Band 2 is open to any 6th-8th grade student who would like to participate.  

8th grade Symphonic Band is open to 8th graders who have played in 6th or 7th grade band or have experience in a musical ensemble from another district.  Beginning students are accepted on a case by case basis with the approval of the Director.  Participants build on fundamental musicianship skills, continue to develop ensemble skills, explore the role of music as an art form, and discover how music is used by different cultures as a form of expression. 

District 63’s 6th- to 8th-grade Choir Program is a place for students to develop their voices and become empowered to use those voices to make a difference in their community. Topics, themes, and skills taught in Choir will be explored throughout students’ three years in the program, building each year they participate. Students are welcome to join the program any year regardless of previous singing experience. 

6th Grade Choir (1 semester) is open to all singers in 6th grade, regardless of previous choir experience. This exploratory class offers an introduction to basic singing technique, ensemble skills, and music theory. Students build a strong foundation in vocal health and rehearsal habits as they work toward being independent musicians. Students will sing music from varying genres, connecting music to other disciplines as well as their lived experiences. 6th Graders take Choir for one semester, allowing them the opportunity to experience a variety of elective classes as they enter Middle School. All 6th graders are welcome.

7th Grade Choir (full year) is open to all singers in 7th grade, regardless of previous choir experience. This class builds on skills from 6th Grade Choir, including singing technique, ensemble skills, and music theory. Students continue to learn about vocal health and rehearsal habits as they take on more ownership of their singing. They'll sing music from varying genres, continuing to connect music to other disciplines and their lived experiences. Singers get opportunities to sing as a large ensemble as well as in small groups. All 7th graders are welcome.

8th Grade Choir (full year) is open to all singers in 8th grade, regardless of previous choir experience. This class builds on skills from previous years in choir, diving even deeper into singing technique, ensemble skills, and music theory. A focus is placed on students being independent musicians with a strong foundation in vocal health and rehearsal habits. They'll sing music from varying genres, drawing deep connections to other disciplines as well as their lived experiences, and will explore how music can be used to bring together people from all walks of life. 8th grade singers are given responsibility and agency in their singing, rehearsing and performing regularly in small groups. This class prepares students to continue singing after middle school, whether that is through a high school choir program, a community choir or independently. All 8th graders are welcome.

District 63 offers a wide variety of orchestra programs serving students from 4th to 8th grade in all six schools. 

Elementary Orchestra is for 4th and 5th-grade students who want to learn to play the violin, viola, cello, or bass. These students are in their preparatory stages of learning a stringed instrument. In their first year, they will build a strong foundation of proper bow hold, playing position, note reading, and playing in a string ensemble.   

6th-Grade Orchestra is open to 6th-grade students who want to learn to play the violin, viola, cello, or bass, as well as those who want to continue to build on their fundamentals from elementary orchestra. They build a stronger foundation on bow hold, sound production, playing position, note reading, and playing in a string ensemble. This is a class that meets every day for the full school year. 
 
7th-Grade Orchestra is for 7th-grade students who want to further their orchestral experience. These students will continue to expand their musical knowledge and skills by learning more key signatures, more complex rhythms, tuning, and more. This is a class that meets every day for the full school year.

8th-Grade Orchestra is for 8th-grade students who play the violin, viola, cello, or bass. These students are in their fourth year of string studies, continuing their string pedagogy with in-depth learning of rhythms, note reading, and extended technique. This is a class that meets every day for the full school year.  

Gemini Strings is an advanced string ensemble comprised of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. They raise the bar in string musicianship through extensive string studies, including extended techniques such as complex note rhythms and note reading. This ensemble also reaches out into the community by performing at nursing homes, elementary schools, and other community venues. Gemini Strings meets outside of the regular school day twice a week and is optional for Gemini orchestra students.  

Instrumental Music Fee

• D63's Music Program is offered at no cost to families, including instrument rental and maintenance. 

Quinlan and Fabish Instrument Rental Company

• It is HIGHLY recommended that you rent an instrument through Quinlan & Fabish. It provides high-quality instruments at a reasonable cost, with delivery to schools provided. Insurance is included as well in the event the instrument needs repair or replacement. 
• To rent, go to www.qandf.com  or call 800.637.6872. Click on the link at the top of the Quinlan & Fabish page for additional information on renting either a band or orchestra instrument. 
• For Orchestra, RENT: Violin, Viola, Cello, or Bass / BUY:  Sound Innovations for String Orchestra, Book 1 and folding music stand.
• For Band, RENT:  Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone, French Horn, or Percussion Kit / BUY:  Standard of Excellence, Book 1 and folding music stand. 

Large Group Rehearsals at Family Resource Center/Elementary Schools 

• Students will meet weekly before school to rehearse with band/orchestra students from all schools. These rehearsals typically take place at Gemini; however, some groups may take place at students' home schools.
• Your director will contact you with more details.

Group Lessons at Elementary Schools

Once a week, each student will attend a lesson in a small group setting during the school day. Lessons will be virtual on a rotating schedule, so students will not be pulled out of the same class every week. 

A note about purchasing instruments:

Please contact your instrumental music teacher before purchasing an instrument for your child. Retailers like Amazon and Walmart are now selling instruments at very low prices—BUT they are generally manufactured poorly, are guaranteed to break quickly, and IF you can even find a repair shop that will work on them (most will not because the inferior parts do not take to being reshaped if bent, can't get the parts from Chinese manufacturers, etc.) you'll end up spending more on the repairs than had you just paid for the original rental instrument. Beyond that, your child will become frustrated because their instrument never works, will stop practicing, stop progressing, etc. Unfortunately, we see this happen often. 

If you decide to purchase from somewhere other than Quinlan and Fabish, your next best bet is to buy quality instruments from major established brands, new or used. Finding the right fit can be tricky and somewhat confusing, but we are here to help! If you have any additional questions when shopping, 

ASK US and we will be happy to assist! 

Reputable Retailers: Quinlan and Fabish, Michael Becker (Park Ridge), William Harris Lee, Seman Violins  

BAND 

• Brands to avoid:  Glory, Mendini, Lazarro, Hisonic, Mugig 
• Reputable Brands: Yamaha, Selmer, Bach, Gemeinhardt, Buffet, Conn, Jupiter, Blessing, Buescher 

ORCHESTRA 

• Brands to avoid: Mendini, Cecilio, Artall, Bunnel, any non-wood colored instrument. 
• Reputable Brands: Eastman, Hoffman, Yamaha 

(These lists are not comprehensive; please ask if you are unsure of a brand.)

August 7 - 13, 2025, at Gemini Middle School

Sign-up is closed at this time.

Open - and free - to all D63 students entering grades 4-8 in August.  Beginning Band or Orchestra (for students who are brand new to their instrument).  Intermediate/Advanced Band or Orchestra (for students with at least one year of experience).   

Full program runs 8 a.m. -12:15 p.m.; students typically attend a 55-90-minute session within that timeframe.

Questions? Contact Vernon Lawson, Fine Arts Coordinator.