Beginning Band
Beginning Band is open to all students in 6th & 7th grade. Students in this band do not require any music background. You don't even have to know what instrument you want to play! During the first week of school you will be introduced to all the instruments that make up a concert band. This includes the following: Flute, Clarinet, Alto Sax, Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone, and Percussion. Students wishing to play percussion will be required to learn bells as well as drums. After the introduction of the instruments students will select three instruments they would like to try. During the try-out Mrs. Heddinger will observe how easily you get a sound on the instrument, how well your facial features and teeth "fit" the instrument. She will also question the student about their grades and work ethic. The goal is to place each student on an instrument that will give them the greatest level of achieving success. Once an instrument is selected it isn't "written in stone" that the student stays on that instrument. Understand that challenges will arise and when a student switches instruments they are back to the beginning! Selected students will be given the opportunity to switch to any of the following instruments at the end of the year: tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, French horn or tuba. This will allow our Intermediate and Advanced Bands to have a fuller instrumentation. Beginning band students will perform on the Fall, Winter and Spring Concerts.
Intermediate Band
Intermediate band is open to students in grades 7 who have a minimum of one year of playing experience. Beginning students will be accepted into this band on a case by case basis. Beginners must understand that they will be a year behind the other members and will need to work extra hard to catch up. Students in this band will continue to learn more challenging musical concepts. Intermediate band students perform on the Fall, Winter and Spring Concerts and possibly at the IGSMA band contest. Students in this group will have the opportunity to participate in a music tour to our feeder elementary schools.
Advanced Band
Advanced band is open to students in grades 8 who have a minimum of two years playing experience. Beginning students will be accepted into this band on a case by case basis. Beginners must understand that they will be a two years behind the other members and will need to work extra hard to catch up. Beginners will be expected to spend time in after school tutoring sessions. Students in this band will continue to learn more challenging musical concepts. Advanced band students perform on the Fall, Winter and Spring Concerts and at the IGSMA band contest. Students in this group will have the opportunity to participate in a music tour to our feeder elementary schools.
Eagle Jazz Band
Jazz band is open to all Intermediate and Advanced Band members. Students must have a minimum of one year of playing experience. 6th grade students who have already played for a year will also be allowed to join Jazz Band. The Eagle Jazz Band meets once a week on Tuesday mornings from 8:15 am - 8:50 am. Students will learn about jazz music and perform several styles of jazz from rock, to swing and Latin. Students will perform on all band concerts and may perform for assemblies and out in the community.