Beginning Band

Directors: Jim Palmer / Becca Odom / Joseph Guzman / Quincey Jarmon 

The beginning band program at Rakow Middle School is unique and serves as the foundation for the entire band program. Beginning band students are split into classes based on their instrument. The beginning band program is structured to teach each student the fundamental music skills required to be successful on their instrument and in large ensembles. Private lessons are strongly encouraged.

Throughout the year, beginner students will have multiple opportunities to play alongside students from all of our beginner classes at various rehearsals, concerts, and contests.

 Symphonic Band

Directors: Becca Odom / Joseph Guzman (percussion)

Meeting: All-Year

This intermediate-level band class emphasizes the development of full-band performance skills in preparation for concerts and UIL evaluation. The students continue to reinforce their basic fundamentals and increase their musical ability and range. The elements of more basic melody and harmony and interpretation are reinforced, and a higher level of technical playing proficiency is developed and enjoyed in multiple performing opportunities. 

Individual growth and achievement are encouraged through solo and ensemble performance, Pre-UIL Contest, UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Evaluation, RISD All-District auditions, TMEA Region 3 All-Region auditions, All-District and All-Region concerts, and other performance opportunities.

Students in Symphonic Band will attend one weekly co-curricular section practice, or “sectional,” which will last for 60 minutes either before or after school. These are scheduled the first week of school and will be the same day each week and will continue into the month of May. Attendance at these are mandatory, graded, and are considered an extension of classroom instruction. Private lessons are strongly encouraged.

 Honors Band

Directors: Jim Palmer / Joseph Guzman (percussion)

Meeting: All-Year

Honors Band is the Rakow Band’s highest performing ensemble, and emphasizes the development of full-band performance skills in preparation for concerts and UIL evaluation. The students continue developing fundamentals and will continue increasing their musical ability and range. The elements of more complex melody and harmony and interpretation are addressed, and a higher level of technical playing proficiency is developed and enjoyed in multiple performing opportunities.

 Individual growth and achievement are encouraged through solo and ensemble performance, Pre-UIL Contest, UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Evaluation, the Dallas Winds Invitational Windband Festival, RISD All-District auditions, TMEA Region 3 All-Region auditions, All-District and All-Region concerts, and other performance opportunities.

Students in Honors Band will attend one weekly co-curricular section practice, or “sectional,” which will last for 60-75 minutes either before or after school. These are scheduled the first week of school and will be the same day each week and will continue into the month of May. Attendance at these are mandatory, graded, and are considered an extension of classroom instruction. Private lessons are strongly encouraged.