Table of Contents

We are so excited to have you in our band!! Please read the following TMS Band Handbook 

Wind Ensemble

The TMS Wind Ensemble is the advanced performing ensemble.  Membership in this band is made of 7th and 8th grade students according to audition. 

Performance Expectations:

• Pep rallies

• Veteran’s Day Program

• Winter and Spring Concerts

• Solo and Ensemble Contests

• All-Region Band Tryouts (based on eligibility)

• Percussion Ensemble Concert

• Pre-UIL and UIL Contest (based on eligibility)

• All events on band calendar for your class

Requirements:

45-60 minutes of practicing a week outside of their band class

After-school rehearsals (usually held only during UIL Contest time in the Spring) 

Symphonic Band

The Symphonic Band is an intermediate/advanced group made up of 7th and 8th grade students.

Performance Expectations:

• Pep rallies 

• Winter and Spring Concerts

• Solo and Ensemble Contests

• All Region Band Tryouts (based on eligibility and ability)

• Pre-UIL and UIL Contest (based on eligibility)

• All events on band calendar for your class

Requirements:

45-60 minutes of practicing a week outside of their band class

After-school rehearsals (usually held only during UIL Contest time in the Spring)

Concert Band

The Concert Band is an intermediate group made up of 7th and 8th grade students.

Performance Expectations:

• Pep rallies 

• Winter and Spring Concerts

• Solo and Ensemble Contests

• All Region Band Tryouts (based on eligibility and ability)

• All events on band calendar for your class

Requirements:

45-60 minutes of practicing a week outside of their band class

Beginning Band

The Beginning Band is an introductory group made up of primarily 6th grade students.

Performance Expectations:

• Winter and Spring Concerts

• Solo Contests

• TMS Evening of the Arts Performance

• All events on band calendar for your class

Requirements:

30 - 45 minutes of practicing a week outside of their band class

A maximum 2 after-school rehearsals before Winter and Spring Concerts

1. Students are expected to follow the Taylor ISD student Code of Conduct, TMS dress code, and the TMS Band rules at all times.

2. Please be prepared to come into the classroom with your binder, music, instrument, pencil and anything necessary for a successful rehearsal. Failure to bring your instrument and/or music from home for more than two (2) school days will result in parental contact and possible lowering of your grade or a lower chair placement.

3. Show care and respect for all band equipment as well as the band hall itself.  Students are responsible for replacing any damaged or destroyed instrument that is not their own and should tidy up their area after each class. Entering the band hall is a privilege allowed only to students that are enrolled in band and should be treated as such. 

4. To make our rehearsals the most effective, attendance and participation is expected in class, sectionals, and any after school rehearsals. Excused absences may be granted for personal illness or any other extenuating circumstance excused by the director.  Both student and parent should give advance notice to the director if you are going to be absent from a rehearsal or performance. If you miss a rehearsal or performance, you must make up the work in a manner that complies with the district grading policy.

5. Attendance at all band events (for your class) is expected.  Failure to attend rehearsals or performances in a consistent and reliable manner can result in a lowering of your grade, a lower chair placement, and possible removal from the band program. We will not penalize any students who are ineligible for missing any activities. 

6. In order to be a successful musician, regular practice is the responsibility of the student. 

7. Rehearsals are a time for bringing the music together, not to “practice” it as a group.  Therefore, if each student comes prepared for rehearsal, musical advancement can occur at a much faster pace.

8. As part of the Texas TEKS requirements, each student is required to perform in a group setting as well as an individual performance.  Therefore, concerts and performances will be graded as performance exam grades. However, it is also great to hear the amazing progress achieved at any performance as the year passes by.

1. Encourage your student to practice daily on their instrument. Ask your student to perform for you at home on a regular basis.

2. Provide a comfortable, quiet practice area with an acceptable music stand/holder.  (Outside is not a good idea, due to the fact that weather can affect the instruments in a negative way)

3. Expect good grades from your student in all classes.

4. Provide financial support for a quality instrument, accessories, maintenance, concert uniform, and other band necessities.

5. Encourage your child to participate in activities such as private lessons, solo and ensemble contests, and fundraisers. 

6. Provide transportation to section rehearsals, after-school band rehearsals, and concerts.

7. Attend concerts and promote proper concert etiquette.

8. Maintain a positive and encouraging attitude toward your child’s participation in the band program at TMS and in continuing onto the Taylor High School Band program. 

Students have been given a physical copy of our Band Supply list for the year.

Each class period has a different supply list. 

If your student is placed on FLUTE, CLARINET, SAXOPHONE, TRUMPET, TROMBONE or PERCUSSION, you will need to rent an instrument from a music store with instrument rentals. With a monthly rental fee, you can ensure that your child will get an instrument in good condition that is insured. 

• An extremely limited number of school owned flutes, saxophones, clarinets, etc are available for students who qualify for financial assistance. 

If procuring an instrument causes a financial difficulty, please contact one of the band directors as soon as possible so that we can help find a solution. 

We will have our TMS Instrument Drive at the TMS Cafeteria on August 21,2025 from 4:30 to 7:00pm. You will be able to get everything you need from a representative from an instrument company of your choice. 

*If your student is placed on FRENCH HORN, BARITONE, OR TUBA, you will need to rent a school owned instrument. More information on school owned instruments below. 

The school district provides instruments for students who have chosen instruments whose cost is prohibitive (i.e. tuba, euphonium, French horn, bassoon, oboe, etc.). 

Every effort will be made to ensure that school owned instruments are in good playing condition before being issued to the students. There will be a form and a $50 fee for use of school owned instruments and students will be required to purchase their own mouthpiece and other supplies.

• This fee covers normal wear and tear/end-of-the-year maintenance of the instrument. Any damage caused by student negligence will be the responsibility of the student.

• 7th/8th grade Percussion students will use personal mallets and drum sticks, but will use school owned equipment. To maintain this equipment, percussionists will pay a $25 yearly fee for the use of the instruments. 

• Students needing a school-owned mouthpiece will have an extra $10 fee added to their rental. 

If there is a financial difficulty in paying this fee, please let the band directors know immediately so that a payment plan can be arranged. 

Students observed abusing school instruments will forfeit their privilege to use a school owned instrument and that student will be required to pay any necessary costs to repair the instrument.

Students using a school-owned instrument are responsible for providing their own mouthpiece, reeds (if necessary), neck strap (if needed), method book, and cleaning/maintenance supplies, as these are not provided by the school. We will be hosting an instrument drive prior to the end of the first full week of school. At this time, all needed items can be purchased and a parent/guardian may come up and fill out an instrument check-out form and give payment for the instrument.

• Handle with care!  Your instrument is made of breakable parts, so be careful handling it.  Do not let anyone other than your parent/guardian or director handle your instrument.

• Always store your instrument safely in the case when you are not playing it.

• Before you pick up your case, make sure the latches are closed.

• Do not let the instrument get too hot or too cold.  For example, avoid leaving it in the car for an extended period of time on an extremely hot or cold day.

• Do not drink (except water) or eat right before playing your instrument.  If you do eat or drink something other than water, brush your teeth before playing.  

• Flutes and reed instruments:

  • • Swab your instrument out after each time you play it.

    • Clarinets and saxophones should remove their reed after each playing and place it back in the reed case.

• Brass:

  • • Check valves and slides each day for proper oiling and greasing (Oil valves once a week).

    • Using a mouthpiece brush, clean the mouthpiece out weekly.

CLASSROOM RULES

The following is a list of classroom rules that ALL students are expected to follow.

1. No food, gum, or drinks, other than water, in the band hall.

2. Only touch items that belong to you.

3. Wait for your turn to play your instrument or talk.

CLASSROOM PROCEDURES

The following is a list of procedures that students should follow everyday as part of our class.

1. Students should enter the classroom responsibly and immediately get out all required materials – instrument, pencil, binders, method books, valve oil, reeds, etc.  Leave all other materials in your locker or backpack

2. Students must be in their seats with materials and ready to play when class begins

3. Ask before leaving your seat for any reason.

4. Do not touch/play the percussion equipment unless you are a percussionist.

5. At the end of class make sure you put all of your equipment away and clean your area.

TMS Grading Policy

There are two grading categories: 

• Major Grades (Playing Tests, Performances, Pass-off charts, Written Tests)

• Minor Grades (Playing Quizzes, Worksheets, Written Quizzes, Rehearsal Skills, etc)

Eligibility

Participation in extracurricular activities is based on eligibility requirements set by the State Board of Education.  Students must maintain an average of 70 or above in all classes each reporting period to remain eligible.

• We will have one or two fundraisers during the year to help raise funds for our musical needs. The revenue generated helps buy music and other equipment, provides opportunities to bring in clinicians to work with our students, and will enable students to earn money toward the spring reward trip. 

• Our first fundraiser is scheduled early in the fall semester, so look for information and brochures from your child in September. We need both student and parental help to make these efforts a success. A second fundraiser will be held later in the year. 

• Participation in fundraisers is always voluntary (not required).

All students will wear the following for the pep rallies and other informal concerts or activities as instructed by the directors:

• Band shirt (purchased from the band)

• Blue jeans (no holes)

• Tennis shoes 

7th and 8th grade students only

For more formal concerts and contests, students will need:

• Black, long sleeve, button-down dress shirt

• Black slacks

• Calf-length black socks

• Solid black dress shoes 

Students who are not in complete uniform may not be allowed to participate in performances which may have an impact on their grade.