Join the Augusta Raa Middle School band for an exceptional musical journey! Our program offers three band levels, providing a year-long immersive experience for students in grades 6 through 8. Students will have the opportunity to participate in district and community performances, fostering teamwork, creativity, discipline, and a deep appreciation of music.
Beginning Band: This year-round course offers new students an opportunity to learn to play a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. This course is open to all grade levels - 6 through 8. Collaborate with your teacher to select an instrument from the woodwind family (clarinet, saxophone, flute, oboe) and brass family (french horn, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba). Develop fundamental skills that will enable you to explore and create in the world of music. Take charge of your musical growth by cultivating effective practice habits to master techniques and advance your music education.
Concert (Blue) Band: This year-round course is a continuation of a beginning band, allowing students to build their musicianship and musical experiences through performance opportunities in intermediate-level wind and percussion literature (Grade 1-1.5). The concert band will continue to promote group effort and cooperation, creativity, discipline, and the enjoyment and appreciation of music.
Symphonic (Gold) Band (Audition-based): This year-round course is a continuation of a beginning and concert band, allowing students to build their musicianship and musical experiences through performance opportunities in advanced-level wind and percussion literature (Grade 2-3). This advanced band course requires musicians to develop a mastery of rhythmic accuracy, awareness, and understanding of individual and ensemble playing. Students enrolled in this course are required to audition for the All-State and District Honors Band, as well as the Solo/Ensemble/Concert (held in the spring semester), and participate in our community performance opportunities.
Percussion Ensemble: This course is designed to provide year-round instruction that effectively introduces and develops the essential techniques of percussion playing and music reading. Students will master the five major percussion instruments: the snare drum, bass drum, mallets (including xylophones and bells), timpani, and auxiliary instruments (such as cymbals, triangles, tambourines, and more). We will accommodate beginning, intermediate, and advanced level students, ensuring that each group hones their percussion skills with precision and focus. Students with a minimum of one year of band experience must audition for placement into the Concert or Symphonic Ensembles.
