Join The Band

DO I HAVE TO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT MUSIC TO JOIN BAND?

NO!  Any training you may have will be helpful, but everything you need to know to play an instrument will be taught in your band class including how to read music, and assemble/play your new instrument.

IF I JOIN BAND, CAN I STILL BE IN FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, VOLLEYBALL AND OTHER SPORTS AND CLUBS?

ABSOLUTELY!!!  We encourage our band members to participate in athletics and other school activities.  Many of our band members are star athletes as well as leaders in all Advanced Academics!

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF BEING IN BAND?

The most obvious is learning to play an instrument for your own pleasure.  Other advantages include: participating in concerts, contests, parades, pep rallies, band camps, out-of-town trips, parties, and the opportunity of playing in our World Famous Smithson Valley High School Band.

HOW DO I CHOOSE AN INSTRUMENT TO PLAY?

Before you are officially enrolled in the band course, we have all beginning students attend a Screening Interview where we have all students try various mouthpieces to find the instrument that fits best each student. The dates and times for these interviews will be posted on the SBMS Band website as well as communicated to your child’s elementary music teacher. In Middle School, Beginning Band students are divided into several classes, which include:

         WOODWINDS         BRASS                    PERCUSSION

         Flute                        Trumpet                   Snare Drum

         Clarinet                    French Horn             Bells/Xylophone

         Saxophone              Trombone                Timpani

         Oboe                       Baritone                   Bass Drum

   Bassoon                    Tuba                          Cymbals

Because of certain physical characteristics, you might progress faster on one instrument than another so maintaining an open mind is critical. 

DOES IT COST A LOT OF MONEY TO BE IN BAND?

The main cost is your instrument.  Good new and used instruments are available from music stores.  Most students rent an instrument on a rental-purchase plan at a monthly cost.  Additionally, we do have several school-owned instruments which can be rented from the school however, these are limited to a first-come first served basis. The school district provides the bigger, more expensive instruments to the students for a very low yearly maintenance fee. 

What instruments are available from the school?

There is a Comal ISD Instrument Usage Fee for school provided instruments. School provided instruments are limited and are on a first come-first serve basis. The instruments provided by the school are: French Horn, Baritone, Tuba, Bassoon, Oboe, and Tenor Sax

How many bands are there in the program?

We have a total of three bands: Beginning Band, Symphonic Band, and Honors Band. Band placement for the school year is based on auditions, past/recent musical performance, and achievement. The beginning band classes are structured by like instruments.

Are there any rehearsals after school?

Beginning Band students will have a mandatory after school practice before each performance for 45 minutes. There will be one in December and one in May in preparation for the concerts.

How many performances do you have during the school year?

The Beginning Band will perform in the Holiday Concert in December and Spring Awards Concert in May.

Where can I get more information?

*If you have further questions concerning the Spring Branch Middle School Band, please do not hesitate to email us!

You can email the band directors, or you can check out the SBMS Band Website:

https://sites.google.com/g.comalisd.org/sbmsband/home

Click on the link “join band”