Band
Band is the place to be at St. Gregory the Great! Starting in 3rd grade, students can participate in weekly instrumental lessons on woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments, along with weekly full band rehearsals. Instruction is provided by Encore Experience, LLC, a local performing arts organization based in Western New York. www.EncoreExperienceWNY.com
Why Join Band?
Learning a musical instrument in a band setting supports the development of important life skills—teamwork, responsibility, self-discipline, and perseverance. It builds confidence and creativity while helping students experience the joy of making music with others. Band is more than just music—it’s a place to grow, belong, and thrive.
Instrument Fair & Band Registration
Each September, students in Grades 3–8 are invited to explore band instruments during our annual Instrument Fair. They’ll have the chance to try out a variety of instruments—flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone, tuba, and percussion (bells and drums). After trying them, students select their top three choices, and are thoughtfully assigned an instrument to help create a well-balanced band. Every instrument plays a unique role, and having a variety of “voices” is essential to building a strong ensemble.
Band registration opens in June for the upcoming school year and continues through the second week of September. Early registration is encouraged so students can secure a quality instrument—either through the school or a local music retailer—and begin their musical journey with their peers in both lessons and rehearsals.
Band Registration Is Open!
Be sure to register by the second week of September to get your instrument and start strong with the group. Register Here
Meet the Director
Mrs. Valerie Villa-Kelly (Mrs. VVK), Program Director of Encore Experience, LLC, holds a degree in Music Education from SUNY Fredonia. She teaches all band lessons, directs rehearsals, and manages the program at St. Gregory the Great School.
Now in her third consecutive year at St. Greg’s, Mrs. VVK is continually inspired by the dedication and progress of her students. She takes pride in connecting with each child—making music education both challenging and fun. Her approach combines high expectations with a warm, student-centered environment.
Mrs. VVK is deeply grateful for the support of St. Greg’s families, staff, and administration. She firmly believes that “it takes a village to raise a (musical) child,” and is honored to be part of that village.
Scheduling
Band lessons and rehearsals are carefully scheduled to support both academic and musical growth. Daytime small-group lessons follow a rotating schedule so students don’t miss the same class each week, minimizing disruption to core academics. After-school private lessons are scheduled at a consistent time each week.
Weekly full-band rehearsals are an essential part of the program, fostering teamwork, musicianship, and ensemble performance skills. These rehearsals help students apply what they learn in lessons and prepare for high-quality concert performances.
Why a Pull-Out Program Works
Pull-out music lessons offer valuable benefits. Students learn time management, develop a strong sense of responsibility, and gain confidence as they balance academic and artistic commitments. Music becomes a natural part of the school day, reinforcing that artistic expression is an important part of a well-rounded education.
Performances & Festivals
Band students have the exciting opportunity to perform at school-wide events throughout the year, including concerts and assemblies in December and June. These performances showcase their progress and build confidence through live music-making.
Students taking private lessons may also participate in county and state solo festivals, such as ECMEA and NYSSMA. These festivals provide valuable feedback, help students set individual goals, and can lead to invitations to join select ensembles beyond the school community.
After School Ensembles
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Concert Band is open to any band student who can at least play their first 6 notes. It meets Wednesdays until 2:45pm.
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Advanced Band is open to any band student who can read music, and is by audition. Band students must know 2 scales and be able to perform a level 1 NYSSMA solo or higher. It meets Thursdays until 2:45pm.
Pick Up Patrol (PUP)
To ensure your child can stay for after-school band rehearsal, please update Pick Up Patrol (PUP) in advance. If your child is not listed in PUP by 1:00pm on their rehearsal day, they will be dismissed at the regular time and will not be able to stay for band.
Important Pickup Reminder
A parent or guardian must pick up students in the front bus loop no later than 2:50pm. Any student remaining after that time will be escorted to the After School Program and will incur the associated fee.
Thank you for helping us keep dismissal smooth and safe!
Costs
The following fees are associated with learning an instrument at St. Gregory the Great School. Tuition begins in September and ends in May (no tuition is charged in June).
Weekly rotating daytime group lessons: $79/month
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Weekly after-school private lessons (set time): $120/month
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Annual participation fee (all students): $75
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Instrument rental: Available through the school (limited supply) or local music stores
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Solo festival participation (optional for private students): $25 fee, plus cost of solo music for ECMEA/NYSSMA events
We strive to keep costs affordable while providing a high-quality, enriching music experience for all students. We look forward to making music with your child(ren) starting in mid-September! If you have any questions or would like to register for one of our band programs, please contact Mrs. Valerie Villa-Kelly at [email protected]. Thank you for supporting music education at St. Greg’s!
PARENT TESTIMONIALS
“I am a teacher at St. Greg’s, and my daughter is a third-grade student who began learning the clarinet this year. She attends lessons during the school day as well as after-school band. My daughter has always been a shy child who never wanted to get on stage, but with the support and encouragement of Mrs. VVK, she found the courage to perform in the Christmas concert. The band program has also given her a wonderful sense of community, helping her build friendships and feel like she truly belongs. While she does miss one period of school each week for lessons, we have actually seen an increase in her grades on her report card. We couldn’t be happier with the band program at St. Greg’s!”
- 3rd Grade Parent
"Mrs. VVK welcomed my daughter and me three years ago when Ava had very little experience reading music or playing an instrument. Ava began playing the tuba in middle school, and through dedication, hard work, and learning to read tuba music, she steadily gained confidence and skill. Throughout this journey, Mrs. VVK consistently encouraged Ava to challenge herself and grow as a musician. With Mrs. VVK’s support, Ava tried out for the All-County Band and earned a spot in seventh grade. What an honor it was for her to perform alongside other outstanding middle school musicians. This achievement was a direct result of Mrs. VVK’s encouragement, high expectations, and belief in her students’ abilities. Over the past three years, band has been filled with fun, dedication, determination, and constant encouragement from Mrs. VVK. She is kind, caring, and works hands-on with her students. She is also incredibly accommodating and committed to helping each child succeed. Her talent as an educator truly shines, as I have witnessed remarkable growth in my own musician. Because of Mrs. VVK’s guidance and support, I can confidently say that my daughter is well prepared for high school band. We are incredibly grateful for the positive impact Mrs. VVK has had on Ava’s musical journey."
- 8th Grade Parent
Thank you for supporting our band! Items donated from our Band Wishlist directly benefit our students and are tax deductible. We are so grateful for your generosity and continued encouragement of music education in our school.
Should you be interested in purchasing any of the items below or have any questions, please reach out to Band Director, Mrs. Villa-Kelly at [email protected]. Thank you!
