Welcome!
Welcome to Band at Stetson Hills. Please navigate to specific pages for schedules, about the teacher information, student resources and so much more! For specific questions, please email Dr. Caryn Kunz at caryn.kunz@dvusd.org. Please allow at least 24 hours for response.
DVUSD Band Curriculum and Grading Items
DVUSD Sample Performance Rubric
Nov21
5th and 6th Band Concert 5:10 PM - 6:30 PM
Dec17
Small Ensemble Holiday Gathering - Elevate 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
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5th & 6th Grade Band Uniform T-Shirt Thank you State Forty Eight!!
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Middle School Uniform Polo
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Course Info/Handbook
There are four main courses offered for band students at Stetson Hills:
1. 5th Grade Band
This class is the introductory level to instrument playing. This beginner class focuses on fundamentals of each instrument and meets two times per week by small instrument groups (see schedule below). 5th graders have one 45-minute block during a special area class (music, art, PE). Special area classes are scheduled weekly, so the band student will miss ONE class per week. They will still have 4 regular contacts with art, music, STEM, or PE during that week. The student is excused, but does need to keep up with any project based items. *There is a chance a student may miss art/STEM... I will work extremely hard to adjust the schedule second semester to ensure they do not miss the same special all year long! The second band contact is one 30-minute block during their RTI time, which is a homeroom time for additional assistance/support. Students should touch base with their teachers as to what they need to be making up for that slot of time they miss. Students do not miss core classes for band!
6-Day Special Areas Rotation: 11-11:45am
Day 1 - Brass (Trumpet/Trombone)
Day 2 - Saxophone
Day 3 - Clarinet
Day 4 - Percussion
Day 5 - (No Band Q1)
Day 6 - Flute
RTI: 1:45-2:15pm
M - Flute & Trombone
T - Reeds (Clarinet/Saxophone)
W - Percussion
Th - Trumpet
F - NO BAND
2. 6th Grade Band
This class is a continuation to our beginning band classes. It focuses on larger ensemble playing, dividing the band into three groups: brass, woodwinds, and percussion. Students will be pulled 2-3 times per week by section during a special area class. Special area classes are scheduled weekly, so the band student will be excused 2-3 times during that week but will still have 2-3 regular contacts with art and PE. Band students who are also in choir may not have art or PE due to the additional choir pull-out. It is expected that they keep up on any artwork or project based learning in their special areas classes. Students will perform in 2 concerts per year and may be nominated for DVUSD Honor Band as well as All-State Band. Students are able to do both band and choir! **There is a chance the student may miss a special area class. I apologize for this inconvenience, but with a 6-day rotation and 3 days of band to meet DVUSD guided minutes, this may happen. I will work to adjust the schedule at semester so the same special is not missed year-round! No guarantees!
6th Grade Band Schedule 2024-2025
Quarter 1
Day 1 - Percussion
Day 2 - Brass
Day 3 - Woodwinds
Day 4 - Percussion
Day 5 - Woodwinds/Brass
Day 6 - FULL BAND
4. Wind Ensemble - Middle School Band
Wind Ensemble is our varsity band ensemble. It is comprised of all 7th and 8th grade students who are continuing on their instruments. Students meet in 2 class periods: 1st hour is largely 7th graders and 2nd hour is largely 8th graders. Students are able to do BOTH ensembles (maybe take up a secondary instrument for fun!). Students in this ensemble can expect to focus in on tone production, embouchure formation, and technique necessary to perform appropriate grade level music. This is a step up from elementary level ensembles! This group will perform multiple concerts per year and is our main group that performs at the district level. These courses are offered to all middle school students, but be advised this is a year 3-4 course of study. While students are more than capable to join in year 3 or 4, it does require additional work to learn the fundamentals of the instrument to be able to perform at the given class level. Students in this course must have the all provided music, as well as their instrument and all necessary items for their instrument to function and be taken care of. Woodwinds will need reeds, silk swabs, and cork grease in most cases. Brass will need valve oil and slide cream in most cases. School owned instruments may be available for those who are unable to rent from Milano Music, Allegro Music, or Music & Arts. No method book is needed for the 2023-2024 school year.
Milano Supply Pricing Info 2024-2025
I often get asked what brands should I buy? Here is some info for you on different instrument brands.
There are four main courses offered for band students at Stetson Hills:
1. 5th Grade Band
This class is the introductory level to instrument playing. This beginner class focuses on fundamentals of each instrument and meets two times per week by small instrument groups (see schedule below). 5th graders have one 45-minute block during a special area class (music, art, PE). Special area classes are scheduled weekly, so the band student will miss ONE class per week. They will still have 4 regular contacts with art, music, STEM, or PE during that week. The student is excused, but does need to keep up with any project based items. *There is a chance a student may miss art/STEM... I will work extremely hard to adjust the schedule second semester to ensure they do not miss the same special all year long! The second band contact is one 30-minute block during their RTI time, which is a homeroom time for additional assistance/support. Students should touch base with their teachers as to what they need to be making up for that slot of time they miss. Students do not miss core classes for band!
6-Day Special Areas Rotation: 11-11:45am
Day 1 - Brass (Trumpet/Trombone)
Day 2 - Saxophone
Day 3 - Clarinet
Day 4 - Percussion
Day 5 - (No Band Q1)
Day 6 - Flute
RTI: 1:45-2:15pm
M - Flute & Trombone
T - Reeds (Clarinet/Saxophone)
W - Percussion
Th - Trumpet
F - NO BAND
2. 6th Grade Band
This class is a continuation to our beginning band classes. It focuses on larger ensemble playing, dividing the band into three groups: brass, woodwinds, and percussion. Students will be pulled 2-3 times per week by section during a special area class. Special area classes are scheduled weekly, so the band student will be excused 2-3 times during that week but will still have 2-3 regular contacts with art and PE. Band students who are also in choir may not have art or PE due to the additional choir pull-out. It is expected that they keep up on any artwork or project based learning in their special areas classes. Students will perform in 2 concerts per year and may be nominated for DVUSD Honor Band as well as All-State Band. Students are able to do both band and choir! **There is a chance the student may miss a special area class. I apologize for this inconvenience, but with a 6-day rotation and 3 days of band to meet DVUSD guided minutes, this may happen. I will work to adjust the schedule at semester so the same special is not missed year-round! No guarantees!
6th Grade Band Schedule 2024-2025
Quarter 1
Day 1 - Percussion
Day 2 - Brass
Day 3 - Woodwinds
Day 4 - Percussion
Day 5 - Woodwinds/Brass
Day 6 - FULL BAND
4. Wind Ensemble - Middle School Band
Wind Ensemble is our varsity band ensemble. It is comprised of all 7th and 8th grade students who are continuing on their instruments. Students meet in 2 class periods: 1st hour is largely 7th graders and 2nd hour is largely 8th graders. Students are able to do BOTH ensembles (maybe take up a secondary instrument for fun!). Students in this ensemble can expect to focus in on tone production, embouchure formation, and technique necessary to perform appropriate grade level music. This is a step up from elementary level ensembles! This group will perform multiple concerts per year and is our main group that performs at the district level. These courses are offered to all middle school students, but be advised this is a year 3-4 course of study. While students are more than capable to join in year 3 or 4, it does require additional work to learn the fundamentals of the instrument to be able to perform at the given class level. Students in this course must have the all provided music, as well as their instrument and all necessary items for their instrument to function and be taken care of. Woodwinds will need reeds, silk swabs, and cork grease in most cases. Brass will need valve oil and slide cream in most cases. School owned instruments may be available for those who are unable to rent from Milano Music, Allegro Music, or Music & Arts. No method book is needed for the 2023-2024 school year.
Supply List 2024-2025
Milano Supply Pricing Info 2024-2025
Band Handbook
Instrument Brands
I often get asked what brands should I buy? Here is some info for you on different instrument brands.
Student Resources
Resources for Student Use
On this page, students will have access to websites that are either required or supplemental. Descriptions of each site is included.
Canvas - Students in grades 6-8 must use this site to upload various playing tests.
Music First - COMING SOON
Metronome - This tool is for students to keep a steady beat.
Tuner - This tool is for students to double check the intonation of the different notes on their instrument. It must have access to a mic to work.
MusicTheory.net - This website, while treble clef based, aims to give students ways to assit in learning music. There are many different tools here to assist with note ID, key signature ID, accidental decoding, and more!
Music Tech Teacher - Hover on Lessons and click theory/help for assistance in learning your music (bass clef included!). Hover on Quizzes/Pianos to find a ton of games to play.
A Musical Playground - Music theory lessons to help you advance your musical knowledge! This includes the basics (time signatures, music staff) and advances into key signature knowledge. Shout out to some amazing Girl Scouts working on their Junior Musician Badge for sending me this resource!
Music Term Dictionary - This tool will help students understand musical terms found in their music. This is a great starting place and may not be 100% inclusive of all terms/symbols they need to know.
Instrument Cleaning Guide
This will help guide you as to what maintenance needs to be done on your instruments and when. Please make sure you are following these guides!
Instrument Finger Charts - Blank
These charts are by instrument and are designed to allow students to practice placing the note on the music staff and then coloring in what fingers must be pushed to produce that pitch.
Instrument Care and Maintenance
It is so important to properly care for your instrument.
Taking care of your instrument should be a top priority for every instrument. Not only will it keep your instrument in best working condition, thus lasting longer, but it will also ensure no "gross" things are going on! Below you will find a step by step guide to cleaning and maintaining each instrument. This will be passed out and kept in your binders as well. A few links are provided for your perusal as well:
These next few links are how-to videos from Hornsmasher. He will walk you through assembly, disassembly, and daily maintenance...
Flute Assembly and Maintenance
Clarinet Assembly and Maintenance
Saxophone Assembly and Maintenance
Trumpet Assembly and Maintenance
Trombone Assembly and Maintenance
Euphonium/Tuba Assembly and Maintenance
Hornsmasher has also provided a few periodic (monthly) maintenance videos. Please never attempt any screw changes without the teacher present. Not every screw is supposed to be all the way in! If in doubt, do not attempt:
Woodwind Instrument Long Term Maintenance
How to clean and lubricate a trombone slide!
How do you give your brass a bath? See the videos below for guidance. Never attempt this without watching the videos and knowing. All soaps must be rinsed thouroughly to ensure working order. Woodwinds should NEVER be bathed or placed in water (flute, clarinet, oboe, saxophones).
Trumpet Bath Tutorial (this will work for Euphonium also)
About Dr. Kunz
Dr. Kunz
My name is Dr. Kunz. I'm extremely excited to join Stetson Hills for the 2024-2025 year. Here is a little about myself. I am originally from Cincinnati, OH and came to Arizona in 2006. My degrees include: a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from University of South Carolina, a Master of Music degree in Oboe Performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Oboe Performance from Arizona State University.
My main instrument is the oboe, on which I have been a featured performer at the Midwest Clinic with the Lakota West High School Symphonic Winds, the Southwestern Ohio Symphonic Band, and the Tempe Symphonic Wind Ensemble. In 2008, I was the Interim Principal Oboe with the Great Falls Symphony Orchestra and Chinook Winds Quintet in Great Falls, Montana, as well as Associate Principal Oboe of the Helena Symphony in Helena, Montana. I have served as DVUSD Honor Band clinician and Coordinator, Arizona 6th grade All-State Band clinician, and often adjudicate bands for the Scottsdale Band Festival. I have been in DVUSD for 15 years! I was named DVEF Teacher of the Year for 2022-2023.
Outside of the classroom, I am quite the animal lover. I have 4 dogs, but no children. I have one chiweenie, one miniature dachshund, and two miniature pinscher mixes that are giving me a run for my money! We did have a paralyzed dachshund for many years whom I loved dearly. I began golfing in October 2018 and LOVE it! Most Sundays I can be found on the course. I can be seen every morning with my coffee, as it is one of my favorite things. I always cheer on the Cincinnati Bengals, Who Dey! I am gluten free, not by choice but have an intolerance to anything with wheat.
Email: caryn.kunz@dvusd.org
Degrees and Certifications:
1. BM Music Education with Performance Certificate from University of South Carolina
2. MM Oboe Performance from University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
3. DMA Oboe Performance from Arizona State University
Newsletters
November Newsletter
Posted by Caryn Kunz on 11/3/2024
https://secure.smore.com/n/bq8tj
End Q1 Newsletter
Posted by Caryn Kunz on 10/4/2024
https://secure.smore.com/n/4nbt2
Sept 21 Updates
Posted by Caryn Kunz on 9/21/2024
Click here for updates from the band room
September 2, 2024
Posted by Caryn Kunz on 9/2/2024
August 18, 2024
Posted by Caryn Kunz on 8/18/2024
Check out what's going on in the Stetson Hills Band room: https://secure.smore.com/n/c5v3a
July 25, 2024
Posted by Dr. Kunz on 7/25/2024
Welcome Back information. Click HERE