Welcome!

Welcome!Welcome to the Neuse Charter School band page. 
  • To join the NCS band you will need to make Band your 1st choice on your schedule request form. You should carefully select all choices, and the order you put them.
  • If you are a new to Neuse Charter Student and you want to start to learn how to play an instrument it is not too late. Please contract me, Leah Williams, at [email protected].  We can get you started!
  • If you played in middle school and you want to continue playing please contract me, Leah Williams, at [email protected]. 
  • If you already own on of the band instruments you will be able to use it in band class. If your family already owns a trumpet I will not make you play a different instrument. The goal is to get every student happy with their choice.
  • Each band member will need to buy a band T-shirt for $15.00, this will be due in September 2024.
  • The cost of your instrument, this can very depending on what you play and if you buy or rent. Most rentals are around $30.00 per month, you can rent new or used call one of the several music stores for more details.
  • You can buy a used instrument, be very careful about buying cheap on-line instruments they are not worth the headache.
  • WE CAN work with all financial issues, I can help find an instrument, I will not let money stand in the way of your child being in the band. 
  • If you have any questions please contract me, Leah Williams, at [email protected]. 
  • Yes, I can teach you how to play any instrument! Here is my YouTube Channel, www.youtube.com/channel/UCIaunqbLtHdm883vC4AVQ0w/videos  

Disney 2025

I am excited to announce that our NCS Band program will be going to Disney, Orlando FL in February 2025. Eligible students are in grades 8- 12. Only students with excellent behavior (no behavioral write ups) will be allowed to go on the trip. 
Here is an overview of the field trip for next year 2025.
January 30, Thursday- Depart NCS  at 8:30PM, travel overnight on bus.
January 31 , Friday- Arrive in Orlando and go to Disney Park- Hollywood Studios
February 1, Saturday- Imagination Workshop, Animal Kingdom and Epcot.
February 2, Sunday- Disney Park- Magic Kingdom Depart 10 PM
February 3, Monday- Arrive at NCS 6:00 AM.  
The package includes; bus transportation, 3 day Disney Performing Arts Park Tickets, which includes the Imagination Campus 2.5-hour workshop, 2-night hotel, travel agent in Orlando, FL, 5 meals- two breakfasts, and three- $40 Disney dining cards. 
Thank you for your continual help and support! 
Mrs. Williams

Senior Living Center Performance

This year our band received the Peter R. Marsh Foundation Grant for $1,000. We had our first band performance for The Landings at Smithfield on March 30 and it was truly an amazing experience. After the performance one of the seniors told us that she was in the band 72 years ago and hearing our band play brought back so many wonderful memories. We also performed Happy Birthday for one of the workers there. It is wonderful sharing music with our amazing community. We have a second performance on April 28. We are grateful to be able to play again for our community.  
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Canvas 

Band students will be able to use Canvas, ​https://ncs.instructure.com/login/canvas for Band.
​Playing Tests, Practice Logs and Written work can all be collected on Canvas. Thank you!

Parent's Guide to Successful Practicing

Many parents have talked to me about the struggle they have in getting their band student to practice. I have found a wonderful resource called, A Parent's Guide to Successful Practicing. Please know I share this struggle with you, I am a band parent too and we share this problem at home.  This site breaks down What Practicing is and how you can set up your band kid for success.
Please take a look at this site it could help your child learn how to set up goals, become better at their goals and enjoy the benefits of hard work. This is a life long lesson that can help them in any area (school work, job market, etc.)
  1. What is the difference between Practicing, Playing, Rehearsing, and Performing?
  2. The Practicing Environment: What should it look and sound like?
  3. Finding Motivation to Practice

Fun, Good, Work

Online Resources

There are a variety of music apps to help you become a better musician. Below is a list of mostly "Freebies" for the basic versions.
Musicians Kit - A tuning/metronome app.
Smart Music- Practice with free music! I have class codes for each level please ask for your code.
Anytune - Allows you to slow down and speed up, and change the key of your music.  A great practice tool for practicing with you method book's CD/mp3.  
Rhythm Cat Lite - A fun way to practice rhythms.
Rhythm Training - Practice on reading rhythms, divided into lessons.
NoteWorks- A fun way to practice basic note naming.
Music Tutor - Drills basic music theory.
Musicnotes Decks - Flash cards on basic music vocabulary.
NotateMe Now - Music notation app
ScoreCloud - Music notation app
MuseScore - Music notation app
SingTrue, Yokee, Vox Tools, Sing! - singing apps 
Auxy - Compose your own music tracks
Bandmate Chromatic Tuner - A tuning app for instruments/voice.
Tonal Energy Tuner - A tuner that also shows pitch frequency. It can help musicians to "see" how well they are supporting their tone.
Sight Reader - An app for learning to read music.
Pro Metronome - An app to help a musician stay on beat.
EEI - The app that goes along with the "Essential Elements" band method book.
Piano Tiles 2 - An musical "gaming" app for classical music.
IReal Pro - ($12.99) Has a variety of jazz accompaniment tracks to practice with.
Music Scholarships!
Arban Method Book for Trumpet Free PDF
Essential Elements Interactive Site
Chromatik Site
Vic Firth 40 Essential Snare Rudiments
Music Theory
Note Flight, Compose your own music.
OnMusic Dictionary
Music and Arts Store Music store for band rental and other music supplies. 
Woodwind and Brass Wind Great music store and supplies.