Hello Future Band Families!

Welcome to Schimelpfenig Middle School! We are excited to offer you the opportunity to join the award winning SMS Band program. The Schimelpfenig Band is well known for its commitment to excellence. Along with the joy of performing, band students also learn the valuable life-long skills of creative and critical thinking, time management, teamwork, and self-discipline and perseverance.

By now, your child has had the opportunity to hear all of the different instruments that perform together in Band. Sixth grade beginning band classes meet daily in like-instrument classes.  The main focus of the sixth grade band program is to help your child become a proficient musician on their chosen instrument to prepare them for a successful and rewarding future of music-making. There is no experience needed for participation in the band. Students do not need to have any prior experience reading music or playing another instrument.  Students who have studied piano or another instrument may find that some things can be learned a little more quickly early on, but daily practice and effort are the best skills needed for success in band.

Beginning Band students have the opportunity to perform four concerts a year as well as attend a Band Contest/Festival in the spring. Students will also have the chance to perform at a Solo Festival near the end of the year. Before each concert, we combine the classes to give students the opportunity to perform together as a full band.  In the seventh and eighth grade and beyond, students become a member of one of three advanced performing groups and get to rehearse as a full ensemble every day!

The following pages contain information on all of the instruments available to students in band. We will contact the parents of students who sign up for band later this spring to schedule visits for instrument selection.  Please do not rent or purchase an instrument until you have met with the directors.  All students will have the opportunity to sit down with the band directors to try each instrument that they are interested in to help them choose an instrument that is the best fit for them and they will be excited to learn. 

If you have any unanswered questions about the Schimelpfenig Band, please feel free to contact the directors by phone or email.  Thank you, and we look forward to welcoming you to the Schimelpfenig Band!