BEGINNING BAND INFORMATION

We are excited that you are considering becoming a part of our band program at Salem Middle School!  You may have many questions regarding band, and hopefully this page will provide answers for you.  After reading through this information, please feel free to contact the band director (crduryea@wcpss.net) with further questions.  Here are some of the highlights:

Beginning band is offered to sixth grade students.  Sixth grade is the only opportunity to enroll in beginning band.

Instruments taught in beginning band are flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, and euphonium. Later in the year, students may move to other instruments upon director recommendation (oboe, bassoon, bass clarinet, saxophone, horn , euphonium, tuba, and percussion).  Please do not purchase an instrument prior to the first day of school. 

Although helpful, no prior musical experience is necessary for beginning band.  Students who already have prior band experience must sign up for beginning band in sixth grade in order to be part of our program.  Ours is an accelerated curriculum and your child will find that only the first part of the year is review, then we will quickly get into new concepts and techniques.  Students who do not take beginning band in 6th grade will not be able to join our program in later grades.  This is because the 7th grade band curriculum is designed for second-year band students, and the 8th grade band curriculum is designed for third-year students.