West Cary Middle School Band
Under the direction of Ms. Amber Grissom
Beginning Band is a year-long course. Emphasis is on learning basic musical skills as students learn to play a brass, woodwind or percussion instruments. Band classes work on a variety of musical styles and prepare some for performance. Students should anticipate some after-school practices and evening performances. Students may choose from flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone or percussion.
Prior musical knowledge is not required.
Students are asked to provide their own instrument. If that is not possible, please contact the teacher and we will work with you. We have some instruments that we can loan to students.
Information about purchasing and/or renting an instrument will be provided to parents.
Students will need to purchase their own book: Hal Leonard's Essential Elements, Book 1. It is available online and at local music stores.
Concert Band is a combination of Intermediate and Advanced Band. It is a year-long course that is available for all grades for students with previous band experience. This class is a continuation of the skills taught in Beginning Band with further development of tone production, breath support, and music reading. Students are introduced to performance skills and techniques. Students are encouraged to perform as individuals and as members of an ensemble. Students should anticipate some after-school practices and evening performances.
Students are expected to provide their own instrument. However, some instruments, especially the larger ones (such as tuba, bari sax, etc.) may be borrowed from the school.
Students are expected to purchase their own books: Hal Leonard's Essential Elements Book 2, which will be used their entire time in Concert Band.
Concert Band members are asked to purchase a West Cary Band polo shirt, which will be worn for some performances, and have the option of purchasing a West Cary Fine Arts sweatshirt.