5th grade daughter wants to be in school band?

Here's a little incentive....in my high school graduating class, 8 of the top 10 students were in band. Being in band teaches responsibility and working as a team among other things. People who can read music are said to be able to learn foreign languages better. There is nothing at all negative about her joining band! She should go for it. Go to the meeting with her so you can learn more about it. They will have all of the various instruments available for students to try. If she is interested in a certain instrument, she can try it out and see if she physically is capable of playing it (can her fingers reach the necessary keys, is her mouth the right shape for a certain embouchure, for percussion - does she have a natural ability to keep rhythm, etc).

For her first year I would advise renting the instrument. If she loves it and wants to stick with it, you can buy a student version of almost all instruments. They aren't high quality but are good enough to learn on. You can upgrade down the road. There are certain instruments that most students don't buy due to cost, such as tuba, euphonium/baritone, french horn, and drums (though for drums they get a practice kit).

My dad had the absolute time of his life being a band dad. He got involved when I was in high school and it was awesome.

I just asked my boyfriend who took band in elementary school. He said that you don't need any prior experience playing an instrument - they instruct you. This depends on the school, though, because at his, 5th grade was the start and 6th grade was a little more advanced, so you'd have to play catch-up if you didn't take band the year before.

And, of course, you will need to rent/buy your daughter the instrument.

I think it's a great idea. I was in choir for six years and, although I am not a creative or musical person by nature, I actually got kind of good. I bonded with my classmates, learned how to overcome the fear of performing in front of others (and now public speaking doesn't even bother me), and challenged myself to do something that doesn't come easily to me.

Sounds like you need to go get information about your daughter being in band. You should be contacting the school yourself.

5th grade is the normal grade most schools start band. and yes they do teach the students how to play.

Yes she may forget her instrument at home or at school. Most, if not all, students do forget at one time or another. She just brings her instrument back and forth on the bus. don't think she would loose it.