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-Heath Elementary, Linda Lyon Elementary, Pullen Elementary, Rochell Elementary, Shannon 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 II
Directors: Jim Palmer / Anissa Macias / Andrew Hearn
Meeting: All-Year, 7th period
Prerequisites: Good academic and behavior standing with the RISD band department.
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 not 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. Students in this group will get greater individual attention from the directors, allowing greater focus on improving the individual student.
Concert Band I
Directors: Andrew Hearn / Rod Kosterman (Percussion)
Meeting: All-Year, 3rd period
Prerequisites: One or more years of band, good academic and behavior standing with the RISD band department, and success in advancing from Concert Band II or successful audition from a feeder elementary school.
This 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 0.5-1.5 literature. The students continue to reinforce basic fundamentals, increase music ability and range, and prepare for high school band or Symphonic 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, and other concert performances. Students will attend one weekly co-curricular section practice, or “sectional,” which will last for 60-75 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
Directors: Anissa Macias / Rod Kosterman (percussion)
Meeting: All-Year, 4th period
Prerequisites: One or more years of band, good academic and behavior standing with the RISD band department, and success in advancing from sub non-varsity band or 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 1.5-2.5 literature. The students continue to reinforce basic fundamentals, increase music ability and range, and prepare for high school band or Honors 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 3 All-Region auditions, and All-District concerts. Students will attend one weekly co-curricular section practice, or “sectional,” which will last for 60-75 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.
Honors Band
Directors: Jim Palmer / Rod Kosterman (percussion)
Meeting: All-Year, 4th Period
Prerequisites: One or more years of band, good academic and behavior standing with the RISD band department, and success in advancing from non-varsity band or 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 2.5-4 literature. The students continue developing solid fundamentals, increase music ability and range, and prepare 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 3 All-Region auditions, and All-District concerts. Students will attend one weekly co-curricular section practice, or “sectional,” which will last for 60-75 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 Band, private lessons are strongly encouraged.
