GLMS Bands

The Gull Lake Middle School Band Program is where your students' instrumental music journey begins! While practicing to be proficient on an instrument, students will also learn about composers, music theory, music history, instrumental music technic, as well as gain important life skills that require working in a team atmosphere. GLMS Bands are an integral part of our community where we strive to cultivate student's skills and passions in music.

Our 6th Grade Band is the beginning band and the foundation to our band program. During this year, an amazing amount of growth occurs while learning the fundamentals of playing their instruments, which sets our band program up for success in future years.

During the 7th and 8th Grade years, band students develop more advanced skills which have consistently earned the bands superior ratings at MSBOA District 11 Band Festival. In 8th Grade, students also have the opportunity to join the GLMS Jazz Band which frequently has requests to perform within our community. Our students regularly participate in other performance opportunities outside of school such as MSBOA District 11 and WMU Honors Bands, MSBOA Solo and Ensemble Festival, Kalamazoo Trumpet Workshop, the BBBC Middle School Brass Camp, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, and Camp Wakeshma.

Our GLMS Band Students continue to carry the torch that was lit so many years ago from the "Tradition of Excellence" that was instilled in the GL Bands "With Pride." We look forward to seeing you at one of our performances to enjoy the music and support our students and band program!

Class Overview

Band is a performance based class which lasts for the entire school year. Band meets every day and is composed of those students wishing to further their ability in, and knowledge of, instrumental music. Students will study music theory, music history, and instrumental technique. In addition, they will learn team building, leadership, listening, and creative thinking skills; etiquette of working together to create a finished project; confidence, perseverance, and high work ethic skills. The skills gained from this class will guide students to become leaders in the workforce. Each student will have the opportunity to perform in an ensemble and as a soloist through our home concerts, District Solo & Ensemble Festival, and District and/or State Band Festival competition. It is a requirement to attend all performances.

Classes Offered include the beginning 6th Grade Band, second year 7th Grade Band, third year 8th Grade Band, and 8th Grade Jazz Band.

On April 22, 2022, our 7th and 8th grade bands were part of the opening ceremonies for the new Gull Lake Center for the Fine Arts! It was an incredible experience! We are very grateful to the community for supporting this new venue! We look forward to seeing you in it at a performance!

About me

Welcome to the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade bands at GLMS!! My name is Ms. Chabitch and I'm often referred to as Ms. Cha. I received my Bachelor's of Music Education degree from Western Michigan University in 1993 and my Master's of Music Education degree from VanderCook College of Music in 1999. I began my teaching career in the Fall of 1993 at Ionia Public Schools and moved to Gull Lake Community Schools in the Fall of 1998. I am so excited to share music with your student and am looking forward to working with both you and your student!