Our Bands

6th Grade Beginner Band

The beginning band program at Cain Middle School is unique and serves as the foundation for the entire band program. Composed of beginning bands at Amy-Parks Elementary, Linda Lyon Elementary, Pullen Elementary, Rochell Elementary, and Springer Elementary, the beginning band program is structured to teach each student the fundamental music skills required to be successful on their instrument. Private lessons are strongly encouraged.

During the school year, the Cain Middle School Beginning Band has the following goals and objectives:

  • To learn and demonstrate the band content standards as outlined by the Texas State Board of Education
  • To learn and demonstrate the process of creating and perfecting music through various concerts and performance opportunities
  • To introduce and master fundamental instrumental technique and musical ability
  • To develop and grow music vocabulary and theory
  • To prepare for middle school band playing standards

Concert Band I & II

Director: Preston Prior / Trevor Ousey

Meeting: All-Year, 6th period (Concert Band I) and 7th period (Concert Band II)

Prerequisites: One or more years of band. Also in good academic and behavior standing with the RISD band department.

Concert Band I and Concert Band II emphasizes the development of individual and full-band performance skills in preparation for promotion into the Concert, Symphonic, or Honors Bands. The class is geared for students in the 7th and 8th grades who did have beginning band in 6th grade, OR students who did have 6th grade beginning band, but need additional reinforcement of fundamentals. The class is taught at an accelerated pace, and therefore private lessons are strongly encouraged. The students learn basic fundamentals and the basic elements of melody and harmony are introduced. Basic level of technical playing proficiency is developed and enjoyed in multiple performing opportunities. The Concert band is a group that focuses on improving the individual student.

Symphonic Band

Director: Preston Prior / Trevor Ousey / Rod Kosterman (percussion)

Meeting: All-Year, 5th period

Prerequisites: One or more years of band. Also in good academic and behavior standing with the RISD band department. Successful audition from a feeder elementary school.

This intermediate-level band class emphasizes the development of full-band performance skills in preparation for concerts and UIL contest. The band is a full ensemble which plays grade 1-2 literature. The students continue to reinforce basic fundamentals, increase music ability and range, and prepare students for high school band or Honor Band. The elements of more basic melody and harmony and interpretation are reinforced, and a higher level of technical playing proficiency is developed and enjoyed in multiple performing opportunities. Individual growth and achievement are encouraged through solo and ensemble performance, Pre-UIL Contest, UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contest, All-District band auditions, TMEA Region 25 Honor Band auditions, and all district concerts. Students will attend one weekly co-curricular section practice, or “sectional,” which will last for 45 minutes either before or after school. These are scheduled the first week of school and will be the same day each week and will continue into the month of May. Attendance at these are mandatory, graded, and are considered an extension of classroom instruction. Private lessons are strongly encouraged.

Symphonic Band

Honors Band

Director: Trevor Ousey / Preston Prior / Rod Kosterman (percussion)

Meeting: All-Year, 4th Period

Prerequisites: One or more years of band. Also in good academic and behavior standing with the RISD band department. Successful audition from a feeder elementary school.

This advanced-level band class emphasizes the development of full-band performance skills in preparation for concerts and UIL contest. The band is a full ensemble which plays grade 2-3 literature. The students continue developing solid fundamentals, increase music ability and range, and prepare students for high school band. The elements of more complex melody and harmony and interpretation are addressed, and a higher level of technical playing proficiency is developed and enjoyed in multiple performing opportunities. Individual growth and achievement are encouraged through solo and ensemble performance, Pre-UIL Contest, UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contest, the Dallas Wind Symphony Windband Festival, All-District band auditions, TMEA Region 25 Honor Band auditions, and all district concerts. Students will attend one weekly co-curricular section practice, or “sectional,” which will last for 45 minutes either before or after school. These are scheduled the first week of school and will be the same day each week and will continue into the month of May. Attendance at these are mandatory, graded, and are considered an extension of classroom instruction. Due to the rigor of Honors Bands, private lessons are strongly encouraged. 

Honor Band