Ensembles

Each of the 4 elementary schools in the Greenwood-Drakes Creek school cluster provide an opportunity for 6th grade students join band. 6th Grade Band meets two days per week at each elementary school. Mr. Collar and Mr. Finkbine each teach 6th Grade Band based on their availability at Greenwood High School and Drakes Creek Middle School respectively.

Alvaton (Mr. Collar)

Briarwood (Mr. Collar)

Cumberland Trace (Mr. Finkbine) - Monday and Wednesday 8.10-8.55

Natcher (Mr. Collar)

The 6th Grade band forms the foundation of the Greenwood-Drakes Creek Band program. Students are first allowed to join Band in the 6th grade. The beginning bands meet two times a week for 45 minutes. Emphasis is on building music literacy, playing technique, basic listening skills, and rhythmic independence. The 6th Grade Band performs at the Winter Concert and the Spring Area Concert.

Beginning Band Bootcamp

Beginning Band Boot Camp is a great site with lots of great beginner information. We use it to make sure that everyone knows how to put their instruments together correctly, place their hands, create a sound, and clean their instrument. This is a great way to review this information the first few weeks of playing.

The Seventh Grade Concert Band is the novice-level band at Drakes Creek Middle School. This band marks the first time in the band program where students meet on a daily basis. Membership is based on participation in elementary band or the permission of the director. Emphasis is on attention to detail, building appropriate practice habits, and tone development. The band plays music of a grade 1.5-2.5 level (out of 6), though more advanced selections are possible based on ensemble ability. The Seventh Grade Band performs at the Winter Concert, Area Concert, and Spring Concert.

The 8th Grade Concert Band is the advanced band at Drakes Creek Middle School. Admission is contingent on successful completion of the 7th Grade Band and/or permission of the instructor, although extremely talented seventh grade students may be placed in this ensemble as needed. Emphasis is on technique and tone development, and special emphasis is placed on ensemble listening and musicianship throughout the year. The band plays music of a grade 2-3 level (out of 6), although more advanced literature can be played based on the abilities of the group. Some students in the 8th Grade Band join the High School Marching Band as full fledged members. The 8th Grade Concert Band performs at the Winter Concert, Area Concert, and Spring Concert, as well as at the KMEA District Festival in the Spring.