Band Classes Offered at Kilmer

Beginning Band

Beginning Band is for students with no prior experience on a band instrument.  Students may begin on any brass or woodwind instrument but are especially encouraged to play instruments that are in greater demand in the Kilmer band program.  This may provide greater opportunities for advancement for students in the following years. Percussion instruments (drums) are not offered at the beginning level at Kilmer.  The beginning band performs concert literature at the VBODA grade levels 1 & 2 and performs at the winter and spring concerts, and at music festivals and contests throughout the year.  Many of the members of the beginning band will progress fast enough to become musicians in the intermediate band by 2^nd semester.

Intermediate Band (Cadet Band and Concert Band)

The intermediate level ensembles are comprised of students in the 7th and 8th grades.  Students in this class generally have developed technique well beyond the average elementary student by the beginning of the year. This band performs concert literature at the VBODA grade levels 2, 3, & 4. Ms. Denson and Mr. Dodson both teach these classes.  This band also performs at all Kilmer Band concerts, at festivals, and at contests in the spring.

Symphonic Band (Advanced Band)

The Symphonic Band is the premiere wind and percussion ensemble at Kilmer Middle School. Students are placed in the band by audition.  Historically, more than 90% of the members in this band have studied privately for more than a year and have attended summer music camps and clinics.  Students in this class are expected to perform in all concerts and contests, similar to all the other bands.  These students will also be required to audition for the All-District Band.  This band will perform at District 12 Festival and District 12 Solo/Ensemble Festival.  They will also participate in weekly after school sectional rehearsals. The symphonic band performs literature at the VBODA grade levels 3, 4, & 5.

Percussion Techniques

The most complicated and demanding instrument to play in a concert band is percussion.  Percussionists must learn both bass and treble clefs as well as learn techniques to play more than 40 different instruments.  Many of these students join the bands at concerts and festivals but rehearse separately to gain experience and expertise on the full array of percussion instruments utilized in the concert band.  Depending on the size of the class, some members may perform regularly as a percussion ensemble rather than as percussionists in the Intermediate bands.  This is not a beginning class and is only offered to students who have previously played percussion in a school band program or who have studied privately.