Instrumental music can be a wonderful recreational and intellectual pursuit that brings years of enjoyment and enlightenment. Band is an ensemble made up of many individual musicians. The Folly Quarter Middle School Band Program is an academic course in which students learn and acquire concrete, intellectual knowledge, physical skills and disciplines necessary to performing on an instrument, as well as an appreciation for music, musicianship, and beauty. Unlike other academic courses, in the Band Program the quality of the end product and other students1 educational experiences depend on the group1s combined efforts. That is, if an individual student has a particular weakness or lack of understanding, then the entire group suffers.

In any class, proper placement by ability is crucial to the success of the student. If the student is placed in a class beyond their ability level, they may become frustrated, give up, and/or act out inappropriately. Conversely, if students are not challenged the result may be the same. Auditions will be used to place students in ensembles, and then into sections and chairs. The same auditions may be used to place students into smaller chamber ensembles, as well as selecting a few players for participation in the Folly Quarter Full Orchestra.

Concert Band. The Concert Band is comprised of students in sixth and seventh grade who elect to do band. The class meets everyday during the 40-minute T.E.A.M. Period, and has a 45-minute pull-out sectional from Related Arts (Foreign Language) once a week. Due to the rotating A/B schedule of Related Arts classes, this will mean that each student will miss one-half of a particular Related Arts class once every other week. The sectional rehearsal will be used to assess individual student performance levels and to track individual improvement. Students are responsible for all work and material presented in the Related Arts Class while at Sectionals.

Symphonic Band. The Symphonic Band is comprised of students from sixth, seventh and eighth grade selected by audition. All eighth graders are automatically in the Symphonic Band. This class meets everyday Monday through Thursday during the 40-minute T.E.A.M. Period, and has a 40-minute pull-out sectional from Related Arts (Foreign Language) once a week. Due to the rotating A/B schedule of Related Arts classes, this will mean that each student will miss one-half of a particular Related Arts class once every other week. The sectional rehearsal will be used to assess individual student performance levels and to track individual improvement. Students are responsible for all work and material presented in the Related Arts Class while at Sectionals. Selected members of the Symphonic Band will be asked to participate in the Folly Quarter Chamber Symphony. The Chamber Symphony is an excited extended enrichment opportunity where we combine Winds, Brass, Percussion and the full String sections to play symphonic orchestra music. Chamber Symphony meets on Fridays during the first T.E.A.M. period (like Symphonic Band does, Monday-Thursday).

Each of the Bands will perform in at least two concerts annually, with the Symphonic Band appearing at the Howard County Band Festival, and the Concert Band appearing at the Howard County Middle School Band Nights. Both Bands might appear at other adjudications and/or showcases as well. In addition, other opportunities to perform at the invitation of the community will be considered.

Schedules. To be in Symphonic Band, a Sixth Grader will have to swap their Lunch time with their T.E.A.M. time. Conversely, a Seventh Grader in Concert Band will end up swapping their Lunch with their T.E.A.M. time.

Jazz Band. A Jazz Band will be offered as an extra-curricular activity that will meet once a week after school on Wednesdays for 95-minute rehearsals (from 2:25 - 4:00 pm). Members of the Jazz Band will be selected by audition. All members of the Jazz Band (with the exception of some rhythm instruments such as drums/percussion, guitar, bass, and/or piano) must be members of either the Symphonic Band or the Concert Band. If there is enough interest in Jazz Band, a second jazz ensemble, Blue Jazz Band, may be offered on another afternoon of the week.

Chamber Music. Chamber Music refers to small ensembles such as trios, quartets and quintets that will be formed for some selected members of the bands. Some of these groups will rehearse during the day in place of the 40-minute pull-out sectional, while others will rehearse in 45-minute rehearsals after school. Ensembles that rehearse during the school day will be seen as an extension of the band class and rehearsals will be used for weekly individual performance assessments. These ensembles will be expected to perform in the County and State Solo & Ensemble Festivals, and at school concerts throughout the year.