Continuing Band

Classes

Seventh and eighth graders at Apex Middle School have the opportunity to enroll in continuing band classes.  Because of our daily school schedule, beginning band is not offered to 7th and 8th graders at Apex Middle.

7th Grade Band is an intermediate level class.  Most students in 7th Grade Band have had at least one year of experience playing their band instrument.  We begin the year by building on music fundamentals from Sixth Grade Band and supplement those with additional musical concepts and skills which help students grow as musicians.  Seventh Grade Band is divided into two classes: woodwinds (flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto sax, tenor sax, and bari sax) and brass/percussion (trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium/baritone, tuba, and percussion). Classes meet separately, but combine for concerts and field trips, etc.

Seventh graders have the opportunity to participate in Pep Band and Jazz Band.  Seventh and eighth grade band students are also encouraged to consider auditioning for All-County and All-District Band.

8th Grade Band is an advanced band class, with the majority of students having had at least two years of experience playing their band instrument.  Students are expected to demonstrate understanding of progressively more advanced musical concepts and to perform music of increasing complexity and depth.  In addition to the co-curricular opportunities shown above, 8th Grade Band members represent Apex Middle School in various community events, including our Veterans' Day Ceremony and the Apex Christmas Parade, and they have an opportunity to march with our local high school marching bands at one of their football games.  These events give our 8th Grade Band students a glimpse into the future, and what it might be like to participate in band when they move on to high school.