Band

The Directors hope you’ve enjoyed your beginner band experience! With the opportunity to be in Band at Middle School North, we need to highlight the differences between beginner band and middle school band.

The beginner band year is essentially a training year for students to develop their instrument skills as much as possible. Lots of class time and practice goes into this process so that we can have middle school band classes.

Classes are DIFFERENT!

Middle school band does NOT have class by instrument. We are all together every day, so you get to see more of your friends in class each day. Instead of the beginner trumpet class, we have a band class. Instead of percussion class, we have band class… You get the idea!

Beginner Band classes work on skills and drills that develop student ability. While we still do that in middle school band classes, our class time is spent getting ready for all of the concerts you get to play!

In Beginner Band classes, you get one teacher. In middle school band, you get all of us at the same time and not just one!

Beginner Band practices lots of skills and easy music. Middle School band is where the music gets more challenging!

Summary of Key Differences

Both beginner and middle school bands play critical roles in a student’s musical journey, providing the necessary skills and experiences that prepare them for more advanced ensembles in high school and beyond.

Beginner Band

1. Target Audience:

Grade Level: Typically includes students in 5th or 6th grade, though this can vary depending on the school district. These students have little to no prior experience with playing a musical instrument.
Introduction Phase: Students are often introduced to different instruments at the start of the year and guided in selecting the one that best suits them based on interest, physical compatibility, and aptitude.

2. Instructional Focus:

Basic Skills Development:
- Instrument Assembly & Care: Students learn how to properly assemble, maintain, and care for their instruments.
- Posture & Hand Positioning: Proper posture and hand positioning for optimal playing are emphasized.
- Breathing Techniques: For wind instruments, proper breathing and breath control are taught.
- Basic Music Theory: Students are introduced to musical notation, rhythms, dynamics, and basic musical symbols.
- Fundamental Sounds: Producing a clear, consistent sound is a primary focus.

3. Repertoire:

Simplified Music: Repertoire consists of simple, short pieces, often with repetitive patterns to help reinforce learning.
Focus on Fundamentals: The music selected is designed to practice basic rhythms, notes, and dynamics.

4. Performance Opportunities:

Introductory Concerts: Performances may include a winter concert, a spring concert, or other small school events. These performances are designed to celebrate the students' initial progress and boost their confidence.

5. Instruction Style:

Smaller Group Settings: Initial instruction may be done in smaller instrument-specific groups (e.g., brass, woodwinds, percussion) before combining as a full band.

Middle School Band

1. Target Audience:

Grade Level: Typically includes students in 7th and 8th grade who have completed at least one year of beginner band or have equivalent experience.
Skill Development Phase: Students in this group have a foundational understanding of their instrument and are ready to tackle more complex music and techniques.

2. Instructional Focus:

Advanced Skills Development:
- Tone Quality: Focus on improving tone quality and intonation across a wider range of notes.
- Technique: More emphasis on technical proficiency, including scales, arpeggios, and articulation.
- Musicality: Students learn to interpret and express the music more dynamically, with attention to phrasing and style.
- Ensemble Skills: Greater focus on blending and balancing within sections and the full band, as well as following the conductor.

3. Repertoire:

Varied & Challenging Music: Students play a wider variety of genres, including classical, marches, pop, and sometimes even original compositions. Pieces may be longer and include multiple movements.
Increased Complexity: Music includes more difficult rhythms, key signatures, and dynamics.

4. Performance Opportunities:

Frequent Concerts: More frequent and formal performances, including fall, winter, and spring concerts.
Competitions: Participation in regional and state contests such as UIL Concert and Sight-Reading, Solo & Ensemble contests, and potentially Honor Band competitions.
Community Events: The band may also perform at school pep rallies, parades, and local community events.

5. Instruction Style:

Full Band Rehearsals: Students spend more time in full band rehearsals, learning to play cohesively as an ensemble.
Sectionals: Weekly or bi-weekly sectionals provide targeted instruction for specific instrument groups, helping to refine their parts in the context of the full band.

6. Leadership & Responsibility:

Leadership Roles: Older or more experienced students may be given leadership roles, such as section leaders, to help mentor younger students and assist with rehearsals.
Increased Expectations: Students are expected to practice more at home, take responsibility for their parts, and demonstrate greater independence in their musical development.

Course Information

Title: Band

Instructors:

Cameron Wolfe Cameron.Wolfe@bhisd.net

Amy King Amy.King@bhisd.net

Suzanne Ray suzanne.ray@bhisd.net

Juan Rojas Juan.Rojas@bhisd.net

Grade Level: 7th, 8th

Course Length: full year

Prerequisite: 1 year of beginner band

Accolades

The MSN Honor Band, under the direction of Mr. Wolfe, received perfect scores at the 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 UiL Concert & Sightreading Evaluation. In 2022, the MSN Honor Band took 1st place as the Region 19 CC Honor Band. They went on to place 1st in Region and 3rd in the Area F CC Honor Band competition. In 2024, the MSN Honor Band took 1st place as the Region 19 CC Honor Band Region, 2nd place in the Area F CC Honor Band competition, and 18th overall in the State of Texas in the TMEA State Honor Band competition. We look forward to many more successful years with our incoming beginner band students!

The MSN Symphonic Band, under the direction of Ms. Suzanne Ray, received perfect scores at the 2022, 2023, and 2024 UiL Concert & Sightreading Evaluations. We’re so proud of these students!

The MSN Concert Band, under the direction of Ms. King, also received perfect scores at the 2021 & 2022 UiL Concert & Sightreading Evaluation! We are so proud of these students for their accomplishments!

The 2022, 2023, and 2024 ISN Beginner Band brought home the championship trophy at the Gator Music Festival in Dickinson, Tx. Of all the beginner bands in the Greater Houston area, our students impressed the judges the most! Our students work hard to earn these kinds of accolades and were very excited for the opportunity to continue this success.

The Barbers Hill Middle School Beginner band performing at the 2022 Gater Music Festival.

Middle School North Performances

- - Band Camp Annual Preview
  - Pep Rallies
  - MSN vs MSS football game
  - All-Region Band competition
  - Christmas Concert
  - UIL Concert & Sightreading
  - Solo & Ensemble Contest
  - Spring Concert

Meet the Directors

Cameron Wolfe

Amy King

Suzanne Ray

Juan Rojas

Cameron Wolfe

Cameron Wolfe is in his 14th year of teaching and 5th year at Barbers Hill ISD, where he directs the Honor Band, Jazz Band, and assists with the Symphonic and Concert Bands at Barbers Hill Middle School North. He also teaches beginning trumpet and french horn. Under his direction, Mr. Wolfe's beginning bands have won eleven 1st place awards at festivals such as Splashtown Contest, hosted by Gabe Musella, Gator Music Festival, hosted by John Hinojosa, and the Abernathy Band Festival, hosted by Matt Knight. His middle school ensembles have earned numerous accolades, including Best in Class and Overall Outstanding Band honors at various festivals. His bands have consistently achieved UIL Sweepstakes recognition and have been competitive at the region, area, and state levels in the TMEA Honor Band competition. Mr. Wolfe also enjoys the opportunity to serve as a band clinician and UiL adjudicator throughout the state of Texas.

Before joining Barbers Hill, Mr. Wolfe was Head Band Director at Atascocita Middle School in Humble ISD and Assistant Band Director in Denver City ISD.

Mr. Wolfe holds a Bachelor of Music from Lamar University, where he performed with the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, and Trumpet Ensemble, and served as trumpet section leader in the marching band. He is a member of TMEA, TBA, and TMAA.

A passionate educator, Mr. Wolfe is dedicated to inspiring students to achieve excellence through music. He resides in Cove, TX, with his wife, Rachel, and their daughters, Avery and Reagan.

Amy King

Hello! My name is Amy King and I am excited to say that I am in my 27th year of my dream job of being a band director! My career started off at Orangefield ISD, which is also where I graduated from high school. After my first year of teaching, I taught at Hardin-Jefferson ISD as an assistant band director with Brenda Legendre and Diane Baker. I also had a wonderful year teaching in Pasadena ISD before a band director job opened up at Barbers Hill ISD. In the fall of 2003, I began working at Barbers Hill and have been grateful to still be teaching in this district to this day!

I currently teach the 6th grade beginning Trombone, Euphonium, and Tuba classes at Intermediate North and I also conduct the Concert Band at Middle School North. I am blessed to work with passionate and talented coworkers and the greatest students around!

I received a Bachelor of Music Education from Lamar University and a Master's Degree in Counseling and Human Development, also from Lamar University. I truly believe I was put on this Earth to help students realize their potential as a human in life through their study of music!

My most proud achievements in life are my two daughters. Kate is currently a percussion performance major at Indiana University (Go Hoosiers!) and Laura is a talented and quite accomplished dancer!

Suzanne Ray

Hi! My name is Suzanne Ray, and I am so excited to be in my third year teaching at Barbers Hill ISD! I have been teaching for 18 years, and have previously taught in east Texas (Lufkin and Longview) and in the north Houston area (Klein ISD and Spring ISD). I currently teach beginning flute, oboe, bassoon, and clarinet classes at Intermediate North. I also teach the Symphonic Band at Middle School North and assist with the Barbers High School Soaring Eagle Marching Band during the fall semester. One of the things I love most about being a band director is being able to teach students from the beginning of their band year all the way through their senior year of high school. It is amazing to see how much personal and musical growth students make throughout their 6 years in our program!

I have a degree in Music Education and English from Stephen F. Austin State University and a Masters Degree in Clarinet Performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. In my free time, I enjoy reading and riding my bicycle.

Juan Rojas

Hello! My name is Juan Rojas and I am so excited to be in my first year teaching at Barbers Hill ISD! I have been teaching for two years and began my teaching career in Central Texas at Killeen ISD. I am currently teaching the beginning percussionists at Intermediate School North and the 7th and 8th grade percussionists at Middle School North. During the Fall semester, I am the Front Ensemble Coordinator for the Barbers Hill High School Soaring Eagle Marching Band. During the Spring semester, I work with both Middle School campuses to prepare the percussionists for their Night of Percussion! It has been a pleasure working at Barbers Hill and I cannot wait to see what’s in store for our percussionists!

I received my Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Texas A&M University–Commerce. During my undergrad, I was a member of the Texas A&M University–Commerce Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble I, Brazilian Ensemble, and Panimation Steel Pan Ensemble, and I was the Director of the Pan2 Ensemble.

In my free time, you can find me going to the park with my husky, Arya, or listening to True Crimes Podcasts.

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