SCS BAND
The Shelburne Community School Band is a comprehensive middle school instrumental music program for students entering 5th through 8th grade. In a series of three ensemble classes, students progress from a beginner to being ready to participate at the high school level. Each ensemble class has supplemental group lessons, corresponding method books, sheet music and other materials, and scheduled ensemble rehearsal time.
CONCERT BAND
Students learn the foundations of playing a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument as an individual, in a small group, and in a large ensemble. This first year starts with group lessons and a "sectional" rehearsal only and then adds the full large ensemble rehearsal starting in November. Concert Band performs two seasonal concerts (February and May).
SYMPHONIC BAND
Our second-year students develop their range of foundational skills, adding more artistic expression and increasing technical dexterity. It is a year of massive growth! Symphonic Band performs two seasonal concerts (November and June).
WIND ENSEMBLE
Our third and fourth-year students refine their foundational skills and expand their expression through the artistic process. With increased focus on solo and performance, students have increasing amounts of enrichment opportunities to grow musicianship. In addition to three seasonal concerts (November, March, and May), Wind Ensemble also travels annually to perform at other community events and/or regional musical festivals.
STAGE BAND
A co-curricular performance music class for 7th and 8th grade band members, Stage Band focuses on playing many musical styles in a jazz big-band format. Students learn unique stylistic ensemble skills in the Latin, jazz, rock, reggae, and pop styles and the basics of solo improvisation. Stage Band performs in February and May concerts as well as Cabaret Night, the CVSD Jazz Festival, and the Discover Jazz Festival in Burlington.
About the Director
Timothy Buckingham studied at the College of Wooster (Ohio) and his graduate work has focused on curriculum design, music technology, and the adolescent learner. He is a mentor teacher with the University of Vermont, a frequent guest conductor and clinician, and performs regionally as a percussionist and drummer.
Tim ("Bucky") lives in Waterbury with his wife and daughters and enjoys outdoor recreation, cooking, and sky watching.
tbuckingham@cvsdvt.org or 802-578-7153
ENROLLMENT INFORMATION
Students ideally start in 5th or 6th grade, but students can start later with a learning plan coordinated with parent/guardians. Here is the enrollment information for 2023.
ENROLLMENT COMMITMENT
We hope you or your child spends their entire middle school career in SCS Band (and beyond!) -- this is the goal! However, plans can change and families may elect to discontinue. Please adhere to the following guidelines for dropping enrollment with the overall understanding that our ensembles are literally musical teams. Especially as time goes on, students and the director increasingly rely on others for a multitude of musical and non-musical reasons.
1) Students are automatically enrolled for the following ensemble class/school year -- no need to "sign-up" again after the first year.
2) The student AND a parent/guardian must notify the director about dropping enrollment.
3) “DROP” DATES for 2023-2024 are:
within the first week of the school year (6-8th grade only)
November 17 (Thanksgiving vacation or end of Trimester 1 -- for all grades)
after the February 22 concert (Beginners only).
end of the school year (for the following school year -- for all grades).