Fine Arts

Orchestra

Orchestra is a class that happens as a part of the school day. The large group rehearsal meets two to three times per week with all string students. This rehearsal is where we practice music for our concerts. Students also take lessons once a week in a 15-minute like-instrument small group. This lesson is where we practice instrument specific techniques and work on extension material.

There are three evening concerts spread through the school year. The concerts are our chance to show family and friends what we have learned in the classroom.

If you follow these expectations, you will be successful in orchestra:

Come to class prepared with proper materials. If you lose your book, you need to get a new one. If you break a string, you need to get a new one. If you need help, ask!
Have a good attitude: come to orchestra wanting to learn and allow others to learn.
Show up to concerts.
Show up to lessons. This is the time where the teacher can break down a skill to a personal level.

What is required of orchestra students

Classroom participation, including bringing all needed materials to class and participating in a positive way
Preparing for and attending weekly orchestra lessons
Attending the three required concerts throughout the year

What is optional of orchestra students

Participation in chamber orchestra
Preparing a solo or ensemble with friends for the all-city music contest in April
Performing out in the community
Honor orchestras

Orchestra supply list

In order to be successful in orchestra, it is important to have all of the needed supplies. Click here for the complete supply list. Please reach out if you need assistance with supplies—we do have some extras and we will make sure all students have what they need to succeed.

How to get an instrument

Most students rent common instruments (violin, viola, cello) from a local music store or purchase a used instrument. For students with financial concerns we have school instruments available.
If you are planning to play a large or specialty instrument like bass, rent from Franklin. The rental will stay at home.
Brand does matter! Check our supply list for reputable brands.
Buy or rent from a store that specializes in musical instruments (such as Schultz Strings, West Music, or Griggs Music)
If you plan to purchase used, you can find good deals online, but please feel free to send the link to Mrs. Stern first to protect your investment!
If you will be using a used instrument, please make sure to get the instrument checked over before beginning the summer lessons at an instrument repair shop like Schultz Strings, Griggs Music, West Music, and Reck Violin Shop.

School instrument rental

If you are in need of a school instrument, please first contact Mr. Albertson for availability and reservations.
School instruments may be rented on a yearly basis and must be returned if moving, dropping band, or at the end of eighth grade.
The instrument rental contract can be found here. The fee will be added to your Infinite Campus account. If you need assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to Mr. Albertson.
If your child plays a common instrument, such as violin or viola, and they do not qualify for free or reduced book fees, they really should not be using a school instrument in seventh or eighth grade, if possible. Those instruments are intended for students with financial need and to get kids started in sixth grade. If you have the means to get an instrument, please consider doing so and return the school instrument so it may be used by someone in financial need.
Please take good care of the instruments so they may last for many years!

Concerts

Concerts are the best part about being in orchestra! There are three required concerts for all three grades in November, February/March, and May. Our May concert is especially fun as we make it a dessert concert.

Concerts are what we spend months preparing for and your classmates are relying on you to be there. Concerts are less than one hour in length and students are expected to stay for the entire concert unless there is a special circumstance that has been discussed with Mr. Albertson in advance.

What to wear to an orchestra concert

For all concerts (unless otherwise instructed), students should wear their best set of clothes. A white top with no image or lettering and black bottoms. Please: no jeans, no sweatpants/warm-ups, and no revealing clothing (shorts or skirts should be knee-length when sitting). If you cannot afford appropriate concert attire, please speak with Mr. Albertson in private and appropriate clothing will be provided.

Key Contact

Leif Albertson

Teacher Instru Music

Theatre

FRANKLIN DRAMA CLUB

2025-2026

Welcome Back! Whether your student is new to Franklin

or returning, the drama department is glad you are here.

Director: Ms. Williams
Personal Email: chwilliams@crschools.us
Drama Email: franklindramaclub@gmail.com

What is drama club?
Drama club is an extracurricular activity designed to engage students in
all aspects of the theatre. We have a fall musical, spring play, and a new
addition called Monologue Madness! We will also tap into the technical
side of drama with backstage crew, lights, props, costumes and more…

What will this year look like?
We have an exciting year planned! This year we will have:

Two Productions
● Fall Musical – High School Musical Jr

November 6th and 7th at 7:00pm
● Spring Play – TBD

Theatre Instructionals
● We will go over theatre safety, lights, costumes and more!

Drama Club Rules

We strive to create a space that is safe, fun, and educational. It
is important to treat each other fairly and with respect. Positive
vibes all around!

EXPECTATIONS OF BEHAVIOR
1. Bring a book or something quiet to do while waiting for your scene to
start.
2. NO cell phones- same as the school policy on phones.
3. Do NOT leave the theatre space without permission.
4. BRING YOUR SCRIPT AND A SHARP PENCIL TO EVERY REHEARSAL.
5. Leave the theatre space neat and clean!
6. Do not disrupt the rehearsal process.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO WHEN YOU ARE IN A PLAY
1. YOU MUST MAKE REHEARSALS A PRIORITY. LET US KNOW OF
CONFLICTS.
2. COME TO REHEARSAL ON TIME.
3. KNOW WHEN YOU ARE SCHEDULED FOR REHEARSAL.
4. MEMORIZE YOUR LINES ON TIME FOR OFF-BOOK REHEARSALS.
5. CREATE A CHARACTER.
6. SPEAK LOUDLY WITH CONFIDENCE.
7. RESPECT OTHERS. DO YOUR JOB AND LET THEM DO THEIRS.
8. YOU MUST BE AT ALL RUN-THRUS, TECH/DRESS REHEARSALS
AND PERFORMANCES. PUT THESE DATES ON YOUR CALENDAR!
9. HAVE FUN, WORK HARD AND HAVE A GOOD ATTITUDE.

Your contact/volunteer info will help us keep you updated on
schedules and needs for the production. You can also visit
our page on the school website for information. Thanks so
much for your support of excellence in the fine arts at
Franklin Middle School. Drama club will be great fun and a
wonderful learning experience for your student.

Contact us with any questions at franklindramaclub@gmail.com

Band

Band is a class that is made up of two parts: large group rehearsal, which meets two-three times a week where all the instruments mix together, and small group lessons, which meet once a week for 15 minutes with similar instruments. Lessons are where you will learn instrument specific information. Large group is where we work on the material for our concerts.

Most of band happens during the school day. We have three concerts each year which are in the evenings. This is where we are able to show off to our families all of the things we have learned in our lessons and in the large group rehearsal.

If you do these five things you will be successful in band:

Try.
Take care of all equipment. Treat musical equipment like it is fragile and expensive, because it is!
Show up with all the materials you need. If you lose your book, you need to get a new one. If your reed breaks, you need to get a new one. If you need help, ask!
Show up to concerts. No excuses, no exceptions, just show up.
Show up to lessons. Learn the songs you need to learn for your lessons.

Requirements

Classroom participation including bringing all needed materials to class and participating in a positive way
Preparing for and attending weekly band lessons
Attending the three required concerts throughout the year

What is optional for band students

Participation in Jazz Band 1 or Jazz Band 2
Preparing a solo or ensemble with friends for the All-City Music Contest in April
Performing out in the community at a Roughriders or Kernels game
Honor bands

Band supply list

In order to be successful in band, it is important to have all of the needed supplies. Click here for the complete supply list. Please reach out if you need assistance with supplies – we do have some extras and we will make sure all students have what they need to succeed.

Getting an instrument

Most students rent common instruments (flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, and trombone) from a local music store or purchase used. For students with financial concerns, we have school instruments available!
If you are planning to play a large or specialty instrument like the French horn, baritone, or tuba rent from Franklin! The rental will stay at home.
Brand does matter! Check our supply list for reputable brands.
Buy or rent from a store that specializes in musical instruments (such as West Music)
If you plan to purchase used, you can find good deals online, but please feel free to send the link to Ms. LaFella or Mr. Lapage first to protect your investment!
If you will be using a used instrument, please make sure to get the instrument checked over before beginning the summer lessons at an instrument repair shop like West Music, Barnard Instrument Repair, or Millar Woodwind Repair

School instrument rental

If you are in need of a school instrument, please first contact Ms. LaFella or Mr. LaPage for availability and reservations
School instruments may be rented on a yearly basis and must be returned if moving, dropping band, or at the end of eighth grade.
The instrument rental fee will be added to your Infinite Campus account.
If your child plays a “common” instrument such as flute, clarinet, trumpet, or trombone and they do not qualify for free or reduced book fees, they really should not be using a school instrument in seventh or eighth grade if possible. Those instruments are intended for students with financial need and to get kids started in sixth grade. If you have the means to get an instrument, please consider doing so and return the school instrument so it may be used by someone in financial need.
Reeds, valve oil, or slide cream are provided at the initial rental but once those run out/wear out it is your responsibility to replace those items.
Please take good care of our instruments so they may last us many years!

Concerts

Concerts are the best part about being in band! There are three required concerts for all three grades. The eighth graders will also perform at Adventureland the first Saturday in May.

What to wear to a band concert

For all concerts (unless otherwise instructed), students should wear their best set of clothes. Please: no jeans, no sweatpants/warm-ups, and no revealing clothing (shorts or skirts should be knee-length when sitting). Wearing appropriate clothing is part of the concert grade. If you cannot afford appropriate concert attire, please speak with Ms. LaFella or Mr. Stanek (in the main office) and appropriate clothing will be provided.

Lessons

You will be pulled out of class once per week for a 15-minute lesson with Ms. LaFella or Mr. LaPage.
We are very flexible with scheduling! You will choose your preferred class period for your lesson and can be changed at any time.
In our weekly lessons we will strive to master our performance standards by passing one level each quarter, which includes songs from our lesson book and our concert music. Level sheets can be found here.
You may opt-out of these school lessons if you are taking private lessons outside of the school day. Click here for the opt-out form.

Private lessons

If you want to get really good at your instrument, the best way is to take private lessons outside of the school day from an expert on your instrument. You can find a list of local private teachers here, but please feel free to ask Ms. LaFella for recommendations for the best personality fit for you or your child.

Grades

Band should be your easiest and most fun class! Everyone will meet the band standards if they do these three things:

Lessons: Students are assigned approximately 10-12 exercises from their lesson book that will go towards their grade each quarter.
Concerts: Band requires participation outside the school day for our concerts. Sixth and seventh grade have three concerts; eighth graders have four concerts. Your bandmates are relying on you to be there!
Classroom participation: This includes bringing all needed materials (instrument and music) and conducting yourself in a respectful and cooperative manner throughout rehearsal.

Curriculum standards

The Franklin band standards follow the national and state music standards, which are outlined here. Benchmarks for students are the lesson level sheets.

Jazz band

In Jazz band, we explore different types of music including swing, Latin, rock, and learn to improvise.

Jazz Band 1 is an auditioned group with “traditional” jazz band instrumentation: saxophones, trumpets, trombones, one flute, piano, bass, guitar, and percussion/drum set. Auditions take place in the fall.

Jazz Band Too is open to anyone in any grade on any instrument who just wants to learn to play jazz music.

Both groups practice before school and perform at several festivals and concerts including the Coe College Jazz Summit, the Kennedy Band Carnival, and tour our feeder elementary schools.

Key Contact

Marion Honor Band

Selected students have the opportunity to spend a Saturday in January with beginning band students from throughout Eastern Iowa. They will work together to perform a concert in one day. Students have lots of fun as they get to learn additional music and meet new band friends.

Young Musicians Honor Band

Held in the state of the art facilities at Prairie High School, students spend a day working with other beginning band students from across Iowa. This honor band was developed with the beginning band student in mind. There are breaks and non-musical activities scheduled throughout the day.

Coe College Honor Band

Students will have the opportunity to hang out on Coe’s campus and work together with other beginning band students to create a wonderful concert. The highlight of every student is the chance to eat at in a real college cafeteria!

NEIBA Honor Band

The Northeast Iowa Bandmasters Association (NEIBA) Honor Band is held each December in Oelwein. 8th graders only are eligible for this honor band. It is the premiere local honor band for 8th graders! It is also at this honor band 8th graders have the opportunity to audition for the IBA state honor band.

IBA 8th Grade State Honor Band

The Iowa Bandmasters Association (IBA) All-Iowa 8th Grade State Honor Band is held each May during the state conference for band directors in Des Moines. Auditions take place during the NEIBA Honor Band in December. Just 22 students from the NE Iowa district are selected to this prestigious ensemble. Click HERE for past Franklin state honor band members!