Embedded Files
Beginning Band
The Beginning Band is open to ANY 6-8th grade student at KMS and is designed for the new members with little or no prior experience. Students will try each instrument and learn the basic skills necessary to read music to perform alone and with the full ensemble. This band meets every day during school and three times outside of class during the school year. The fair share for this group is $75 (see fair share letter). Further, these students are able to participate in the state-sponsored Solo & Ensemble Festival in February where they can perform a solo for a state adjudicator!
Concert Band
The Concert Band is generally composed of second year students in the band program and is designed for the development of basic fundamentals, technique, and musicianship skills in the spirit of fun games and personal goal setting (pass offs). The novice students in this group will perform at the Winter Concert & End of the Year Concert (and possibly Veterans Day & MPA). Membership is based on audition and/or director recommendation (most often after the completion of the first year of Beginning Band). The fair share for this group is $150 (see fair share letter). Further, these students are expected to participate in the state-sponsored Solo & Ensemble Festival in February where they can perform a solo for a state adjudicator!
Symphonic Band
The Symphonic Band is generally composed of 2nd or 3rd year musicians in the band program and is designed to further the development of fundamentals in technique and musicianship that will serve to prepare the musicians for the basic skills necessary to enter into a High School Band Program. These skills and proficiencies will guide daily instruction and musical selections. This ensemble performs at the state band assessment every year as well as a Veteran’s Day Concert, Winter Concert, and the EOY Concert. Membership is based on audition and/or director recommendation. Each year this group takes a fun end of the year reward trip and is required to rehearse outside of the normal school day a few times per year. The fair share for this group is $220 (see fair share letter). Further, these students are expected to participate in the state-sponsored Solo & Ensemble Festival in February where they can perform a solo/duet/trio for a state adjudicator! Opportunities for other field trips and performances are also available for these musicians (Alachua County Middle School Honor Band/All-State).
Symphonic Winds
The Symphonic Winds is one of our two Advanced Bands and follows the same principles and concert schedule as the Symphonic Band. This group has limited instrumentation based on part assignments and no bass guitars. Further, these students are required to participate in the state-sponsored Solo & Ensemble Festival in February where they will perform a solo/duet/trio for a state adjudicator! Opportunities for other field trips and performances are also available for these musicians (Alachua County Middle School Honor Band/All-State/USF).
Wind Ensemble
The Wind Ensemble is the top performing ensemble at Kanapaha Middle School. In addition to all of the Symphonic requirements, concerts and opportunities, this group will serve as the primary outreach of the program for Recruitment. The fair share for this group is $350 (see fair share letter) and its members will be required to attend 12-18 after school events per school year. Like the Symphonic Winds class, there are several instrumental limitations including no bass guitars and they are required to participate in the Solo & Ensemble event each year. Optional opportunities for off campus field trips will also be available each semester along with an end-of-year performance trip!
Steel Drum Band
The KMS Steel Drum Band is primarily comprised of students that completed at least one year of a regular instrumental band class. Since this ensemble meets before school, it enables students to be a part of a 2nd performance ensemble on campus within our 6 period class schedule day. Membership is only available to 2nd or 3rd year members (or transfer students that can already read music) and by the appointment of the band director(s). Since this group doesn't meet during the regular school day, the Steel Band has mandatory/ exclusive morning practices and rehearsals every week and participates in 2-5 concerts per year (on weeknights and weekends). The membership fee for this group is $50 which includes a custom uniform Hawaiian shirt and all music/equipment. Members that do not maintain steady/consistent attendance will become alternate performers at the discretion of the Steel Band Director.
Kanapaha Color Guard
The KMS Color Guard is a class that meets daily during 6th period. This dance ensemble is designed for students to learn dance terminology & techniques and will help to prepare them for enrollment in a high school marching band auxiliary program. They will practice 5-15 times before/after school and perform several times throughout the school year (both on and off campus and on weekends). The membership cost is $100.
Jazz Band (cancelled for 2025-26 because of class size requirement)
The newly-formed KMS Jazz Band is primarily comprised of students that have achieved a 4 or 5 on their ELA Reading (which enables them to take a 2nd music elective on campus within our 6 period class schedule day). Membership is then only available to trumpet players, trombone players, saxophone players and rhythm section players (drum set, bass/electric guitar and piano) and by the appointment of the jazz band director. In addition to class work and concerts, the Jazz Band also has several after school practices and weekend events that are required (including participation in the summer jazz band camp at KMS each year). The membership fee for this group is $125 which includes their performance polo and all music/equipment. Members will be required to attend 4-8 after school events per school year and will perform at the state Jazz Band Music Performance Assessment annually in February.
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