Beginners

We are excited that you are considering becoming a part of our band program at Davis Drive Middle School!  After reading through this information, please feel free to contact our band director (lburrell@wcpss.net) with any questions. 

Basic Requirements

• Any 6th grade student can take band!

• No prior music knowledge is necessary.

• Students should have a good attitude and work ethic. Band students are usually the most responsible and disciplined students of a school.

• Each band student will need to supply their own instrument, instrument cleaning supplies, and band book.  Details on obtaining these items will be provided at the beginning band parent meeting in the fall. Families facing financial hardship may reach out to our band director for various options to obtain an instrument.  Our goal is to serve every student who wishes to be part of our program!

Benefits

• Learn to read music & play an instrument-- a skill that can be enjoyed for a lifetime!

• Experience the joy of belonging to a valuable and respected group.

• Develop skills needed to be successful, such as flexibility, the ability to solve problems and communicate, the ability to learn new skills, to be creative and innovative, and to strive for excellence.

• Research shows that students who participate in school music programs academically outperform their peers. 

U.S. Department of Education data on more than 25,000 secondary school students found that students who report consistent high levels of involvement in instrumental music over the middle and high school years show "significantly higher levels of mathematics proficiency by grade 12."
U.S. Department of Education NELLS88 Database 

The College Entrance Examination Board found that students involved in public school music programs scored 107 points higher on the SAT's than students with no participation.
Profiles of SAT and Achievement Test Takers, The College Board