Welcome to the Pyle Band and Orchestra Program!  

The Thomas W. Pyle Middle School band program is developed to foster high quality performances along with deep understanding of the musical language.  Music is a challenging yet endlessly rewarding field of study that requires determination and hard work from all students.

My goal as your music teacher is to provide you, the students, with musically rich opportunities that allow you to learn to appreciate music as both a performer and a listener.  I will provide instruction that refines both technical musical skill and the aesthetic qualities which aid musical understanding and appreciation. 

In this classroom, I will design all of my lessons according to the MCPS instrumental music curriculum as well as the nine National Content Standards for Music Education, as developed by the Music Educator’s National Conference (MENC).  These standards are meant to develop well rounded musicianship, and include the following:

1)      Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music

2)      Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music

3)      Improvising melodies, variations and accompaniments

4)      Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines

5)      Reading and notating music

6)      Listening to, analyzing and describing music

7)      Evaluating music and music performances

8)      Understanding relationships between music, the other arts and disciplines outside the arts.

9)      Understanding music in relation to history and culture.

Along with these standards, this instrumental music course will cultivate each student’s understanding of music fundamentals such as rhythm, harmony, melody, tone and form.  Students will also receive specific instruction to advance their own performance proficiencies on their instrument of study. 

Most importantly, I hope that students learn the importance music plays in our society.  My teaching aims to guide each student to enjoyment and success that will impact all future musical study. 

~ Ashleigh Butler

Instrumental Music Director

Thomas W. Pyle Middle School