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 three 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!
Beginner Band (6th grade)
The Beginner Band is the first step in the journey as a member of the Argyle Middle School Band. Students in the Beginner Band will enjoy instrument specific classes where they can learn to play their chosen instrument in a small-group setting. Students will learn how to properly assemble, hold, and play their instrument in a fun and progressive course designed to teach all of the skills necessary to perform concerts for your family and friends!
The Beginner Band will perform several concerts throughout the first year, as well as travel to the Beach Within Reach Band Festival to compete against bands from around the state. The Beginner Band is primarily made up of 6th grade students, but special consideration can be made on a case-by-case basis for older students interested in joining band.
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Supplemental private lessons are available and are recommended by the directors. You can find information about each of the different instruments by clicking HERE!
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The beginner band has many best in class trophies from the Sandy Lake Band competition, and in 2021, the Beginner Band won Best in Class at the North Texas Festival of Distinction contest.
Advanced bands (7th/8th grade)
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 have one 75-minute 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 recommended that students participate in the district supplemental private lesson program.
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In 2023, Concert Band attended the band UIL concert and Sightreading evaluation for the first time ever and earned the coveted Sweepstakes award by receiving a first division from all six judges! They went on to earn straight first division ratings at the North Texas Festival of Distinction
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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 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 under the direction of Mrs. Cote 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.
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.
For the first time, we are excited to offer a Jazz Band at Argyle Middle School starting 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. Students will learn the fundamentals of jazz music and various styles we don't typically get to explore in our concert band, including swing, blues, ballad, and samba styles. Students will learn some basics of improvisation as well as other skills that will explore the rich history of Jazz music!
No jazz experience is necessary! If your 7th/8th grade student is interested in joining our jazz band, please email Mr. Gutic!
Middle School Colorguard
Our Colorguard is the group of students who performs choreographed dances and routines along with various equipment from flags, to sabers and rifles. At the middle school level, they will mostly be performing 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!
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.
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