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5th grade band members holding their instruments lined up on 5 steps, holding "first band oncert" sign

FOURTH GRADERS: You are invited to Join the Band! 

The Owatonna Instrumental Music Department is excited to announce that your child has the opportunity to join the band for the 2025-2026 school year. Our band program begins the summer before 5th grade. Current 4th graders -- THIS OPPORTUNITY IS FOR YOU! 

We provide TEN daily, one-hour lessons during our two-week summer lesson program held August 11-22. Our instructors work with the students on basic beginning techniques. These ten daily lessons ensure that your child develops the foundational skills and habits necessary to be successful during the school year. If your 4th grade child has a desire to join the band, please sign up today and attend the Band Registration & Informational Meeting on April 16 in the OHS Band Room from 5:30-6:00 pm.

Wish to know more about 5th Grade Band? Watch this brief video: Band Demonstration Video 

Registration Link (Open to current 4th grade students ONLY):

Dates for New Band Students entering 5th grade in the fall of 2025

April 11: Students in grades 3 and 4 will attend an instrumental demonstration for band and orchestra during the school day. Students may join orchestra in the spring of their 3rd grade year or band in their 4th grade year. Duel enrollment is not an option.

April 16: Band Registration & Informational Meeting 

  • Owatonna High School Band Room
  • 5:30 - 6:00 pm 
  • Learn about beginning band program and instrument rental information
  • $50 summer lesson fee collected
  • Scholarship information provided for those who qualify
  • Enter through Door 31P (located between the Activities Entrance and the Main Entrance) 

April 25: Band Registration and $50 Summer lesson fee due 

April 28-30: "Best Fit" Week for registered 4th graders 

  • Held during the school day
  • Registered students have the opportunity to try three instruments to see which instrument plays the best for them and what they will enjoy learning

May 7-9: Instrument assignment letter mailed home

May 15: Instrument Rental Night Open House 

  • Stop in anytime between 4:00 - 6:00 pm to rent your child's instrument. Credit card needed to secure the rental.
  • Held in the Band Room at Owatonna High School 
  • Enter through Door 31P (located between the Activities Entrance and the Main Entrance) 

August 11-22: Summer Lesson Program

  • Monday through Friday for two weeks
  • One-hour group lessons held in the morning at OHS
  • Students learn the set up, care and maintenance, tone production, and basic fundamentals, and first five notes of their instrument prior to the start of the school year. 
  • $50 fee. *Scholarship funding available on a need basis through MBO. 

Music stores which service Owatonna Public Schools: 

Tone Music. Located on 114 N. Cedar Ave. Owatonna. Instrument rentals on a sliding fee depending on age of the instrument rented. Four month trial rental available for $30. Monthly payments thereafter.

Music Mart. Locations in Faribault, Rochester and Mankato. Music Mart visits weekly every Thursday. Four month trial rental for $30. After 4 months, monthly payments begin. 

Holly Guenther, hguenther@isd761.org

Band Director - Lincoln, McKinley, Washington, and Wilson Schools