How to Register
Just sign up for BAND class on your middle school registration form...
Yes, that's it!
For those joining beginner band, attending the Instrument Petting Zoo is required!
Course request/official registration packets will be distributed to ALL students. This is something that all students will receive at school and bring home to parents to be filled out together.
One of the awesome elective choices you can choose is Beginner Band! You won't regret it!
Come to the PETTING ZOO to TRY INSTRUMENTS!
For beginners, please follow up the registration process with a visit to the Instrument Petting Zoo night for your middle school band. This is essential to a balanced band and therefore we need every new band member to attend!
This is where you will try instruments and sign up for your instrument choice! Even if you think you already know... please come sign up with us and get your summer info/how to get an instrument, etc!
Go back to the home page and follow the QR code and/or links to your school's petting zoo sign up genius!
Madison Music Camp
Please consider attending Madison Music Camp this summer! This is a camp designed by and run by Madison Band directors in order to give students some focused band time mixed with summer camp FUN this summer!
There is a BEGINNER BAND Camp option in addition to our regular intermediate and advanced levels! Beginners bring an instrument and learn skills from DAY 1! Even how to open the case properly. Then, by the end of the week they're putting on a concert. Its a GREAT week!
Courses:
Students will need to choose one of the following classes on their schedule request.
Classes to sign up for:
1) Beginning Band (Level 1)
Students with no experience playing a band instrument should sign up for beginning band. ALL future beginners should make an appearance at the Instrument Petting Zoo ("Instrument Sorting Night") even if you've already chosen your instrument. This event is required for class sorting.
Piano experience is extremely valuable and helpful, but piano is not a primary band instrument choice. We recommend students with piano experience consider learning percussion, but truly any instrument you're excited about will be great. We also do not have string players in our middle school band programs, so students with string experience should choose a band instrument to learn.
Beginning Band is broken into three different classes for size and pedagogical specialization:
-Woodwinds Class: Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone
-Brass Class: Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba
-Percussion Class
You will be placed in the appropriate class AFTER the "Instrument Petting Zoo" ("Instrument Sorting") night in the spring. You need to come to this FUN event and be placed! We will host petting zoos at each school. Once your student is able to try each instrument, he/she will be placed on an appropriate instrument and then the corresponding class. If you aren't able to attend any of the petting zoos (at either school) please make sure you contact your band directors - see contact info below and the "documents" section of the website for more information.
2) Concert Band (Level 2)
Students with at least one year of experience will perform with the Concert Band class. This class focuses on more advanced musical concepts than beginning band. Students will be in a mixed class (woodwinds, brass and percussion all together).
There are additional group performance requirements for this class, please see each band handbook for details.
*LMS ONLY: Intermediate Band (Level 2)
Students with at least one year of experience may be placed into the Intermediate Band class at LMS. This class continues to develop fundamental skills and meets in its own block.
3) Symphonic Band (Level 3)
Students with at least one year of experience will perform with the Symphonic Band class if an audition is passed and certain musical benchmarks are met to ensure students are eligible for advanced band. Band Directors at each school will oversee the selection process. This class is an advanced level class that moves at somewhat of a faster pace than intermediate band. Students will be in a mixed class (woodwinds, brass and percussion all together). Students will be expected to spend time practicing his/her instrument outside of class in order to meet requirements.
There are additional group performance requirements for this class, please see each band handbook for details.
4) JAZZ BAND Elective
Students may sign up for Jazz Band in addition to the Intermediate, Concert, or Symphonic Bands in the Spring Semester. Not in place of. Students must have at least one year of playing experience and must provide their own instrument. Students will explore jazz elements in literature while learning advanced playing techniques and fundamentals. The Jazz Band may perform at Concerts, Competitions, or Festivals determined by the director.
Discovery Band Directors:
Liberty Band Directors:
Journey Band Director:
To sum up...
Make sure you talk with your band directors if you have any questions!
Sign up for the class AND come to the petting zoo to choose/claim your instrument!
NO previous experience in music is needed for Beginner Band!!!