The Beginning 7th/8th grade band is made up of 7th and 8th graders who did not have the opportunity to take a beginner class as a 6th grader. In some cases, we do include continuing students who may have gaps in their learning to catch them up. This class is a place for students who are interested in learning a traditional musical instrument and to explore its possibilities. Band students develop leadership, gain self esteem, and learn to perform as a team. Our instrumentation includes: Woodwinds - Flute, Clarinet; Brass - Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium and Tuba. Performance participation is required in order to be a member of this groups. During the course of the year, students may participate in the following types of performances: formal evening concerts, a music festival, and solo and ensemble performances.Because the students in this class are of an older age, our goal is to progress these students through a full year of instruction in the period of the Fall semester. Students who excel at their instrument have the possibility of being moved into an advanced band class. The remaining students then exist as a sub-non-varsity non-competing performance ensemble for the spring semester.