Middle School Classes
The Argyle Middle School Band Program consists of more than 350 students in grades 6-8 and is the largest organization on campus. The Argyle Middle School Bands have a rich tradition of success, earning consistent sweepstakes awards and multiple recognitions on the state and national level.
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All of our beginner band students meet in like-instrument classes and progress into the four advanced bands listed below in seventh and eighth grade.
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After eighth grade, our students have the opportunity to be a part of the 8 time State Champion Argyle High School Band!
Advanced bands (7th/8th grade)
We use the term "Advanced Bands" to differentiate between our 6th grade beginners and our 7th and 8th grade students who have completed at least one year of instruction on their instrument. All of our 7th and 8th grade band students (Colorguard included!) will get to participate in all concerts, pep rally performances, and social events/trips.
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Our goal is for every student to move up at least one band from their 7th grade year to their 8th grade year if they are ready for it, and the VAST majority of students are!
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Due to large numbers and in order to meet our student's needs better for next year, we will more than likely have 4 bands instead of 3. The bands, from bottom to top will be:
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Concert Band
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Symphonic Band
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Symphonic Winds
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Honor Winds
We will have auditions for band placements before spring break. The main things we use to base our decisions on:
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Student ability level and work ethic
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Band auditions
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Passoffs, homework assignments, flipgrids, playing tests, Band Olympics (6th grade students)
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Band class grade and maturity/behavior
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Student grades in other classes
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Locker checks
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Instrumentation needs in the various band classes
We will also check in with your students and ask them if they have any preferences on which band they would like to be in!
Concert Band
Concert band is the natural progression from beginner band and can best be described as an on-level class. Students in this band have at least one year of experience on their instrument and must be willing to commit to regular rehearsal and practice time. Concert Band students will not have any before or after school commitments outside of concerts and performances. Students in this band are expected to participate in the scheduled rehearsals, concerts, pep rallies, and contests.
All students are expected to participate in the Solo & Ensemble Contest. It is also recommended that students participate in the district supplemental private lesson program.
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Concert Band is under the direction of Mr. Gutic.
Symphonic band
Symphonic Band is an advanced performing ensemble with students who have at least one year of experience. Symphonic Band is the equivalent of compacted math or a Pre-AP level content and we typically compare it to an Honors 7th grade class in terms of the expectations and rigor. Students in this band must be very proficient on their instruments and must be willing to commit to regular rehearsal and practice time. Symphonic Band students will have one 75-minute sectional rehearsal per week before or after school. Students in this band are expected to participate in the scheduled rehearsals, concerts, pep rallies, and contests.
All students are expected to participate in the Solo & Ensemble Contest. It is also HIGHLY recommended that students participate in the district supplemental private lesson program.
Symphonic Band is currently under the direction of Ms. Kunkel and has received Best in Class festival awards and has consistently been awarded Sweepstakes at the UIL Concert and Sight Reading contest and the Beach Within Reach Band Festival.
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In 2021, the Argyle Middle School Symphonic Band was the first Non-Varsity band in the history of the OPS contest to have a recording published on the CD. They were also awarded the Citation of Excellence, marking them as one of the top Non-Varsity bands in the state.
Symphonic Winds
Symphonic Winds is a new class for fall 2024 intended to fill the gap between Symphonic Band and Honor Winds.
Symphonic Band is an advanced performing ensemble with students who have at least one year of experience. Symphonic Band is the equivalent of compacted math or a Pre-AP level content and we typically compare it to an on-level 8th grade class in terms of the expectations and rigor.. Students in this band must be very proficient on their instruments and must be willing to commit to regular rehearsal and practice time. Symphonic Band students will have one 75-minute sectional rehearsal per week as well as some extra full band rehearsals throughout the year. Students in this band are expected to participate in the scheduled rehearsals, concerts, pep rallies, and contests.
All students are expected to participate in the Solo & Ensemble Contest. It is also HIGHLY recommended that students participate in the district supplemental private lesson program.
Symphonic Band is currently under the direction of Ms. Kunkel and has received Best in Class festival awards and has consistently been awarded Sweepstakes at the UIL Concert and Sight Reading contest and the Beach Within Reach Band Festival.
Honor Winds
Jazz Band
This course is by director recommendation only and students must also be concurrently enrolled in one of our advanced band classes.
We are excited to offer a Jazz Band at Argyle Middle School starting fall 2023! This class will meet during the school day only and will perform at all of our concerts as well as some outside of school events.
Jazz band is an optional class that our band students can sign up for in addition to their regular band class. Our Jazz Band students will have the chance to explore different genres and styles of music including Swing, Funk, Latin, Waltz, etc. Students will learn about the rich history of jazz music and musicians and develop new skills including music theory, improvisation, and solo writing. No jazz experience is necessary! Jazz Band is currently under the direction of Ms. Kunkel.
Any students interested in jazz band must also be signed up for band.
Middle School Colorguard
Colorguard is a class where your students will learn how to perform choreographed dances and routines with various equipment from flags, to sabers and rifles. Colorguard combines dance, movement, and choreography but adds extra elements to it. At the middle school level, colorguard mostly be performs along with pre-recorded music, but will continue on into the high school guard program, where they perform with the Argyle High School Marching Band! No prior dance experience is required, students will be taught everything they need to know to be in Colorguard.
All colorguard students will also be eligible to go on all band trips and perform in pep rallies!
There will also be a standalone winterguard season. Please email Ms. King for details or if you have any questions or concerns!
Honor Winds is our most advanced ensemble, designed to emphasize continued individual development in areas such as technique, tone, and music literacy through a progressive curriculum of upper middle school and high school level music literature. Honor Winds is the equivalent of accelerated math or an AP level course and is typically 90-95% 8th grade students. Students in this band must be highly proficient on their instrument and must be willing to commit to regular rehearsal and practice time at home.
All Honor Winds students will have one 75-minute sectional rehearsal per week as well as some extra full band rehearsals throughout the year. Students in this band are required to participate in the scheduled rehearsals, concerts, pep rallies, and contests. In addition, each student will audition for the TMEA All Region Band and expected to participate in the Solo & Ensemble contest.
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It is also strongly recommended that the student participate in the district supplemental private lesson program.
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Honor Winds is under the direction of Mr. Gutic and has received Best in Class festival awards and has consistently been awarded sweepstakes at the UIL Concert and Sight Reading contest and the Beach Within Reach Band Festival.
In 2019, Honor Winds traveled to Indianapolis to perform at the Music for All National Festival.
In 2023, Honor Winds advanced to the State Level of the TMEA Honor Band contest and earned 10th in the state!
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