Barberton Middle School Bands
F.A.Q.Below you will find questions grouped by similar topics. If you have a suggestion for something that should be addressed on this site, please contact Mr. Gibson. See our Band Handbook for additional information.
Sixth Grade Beginning Band What does it cost to be in band? Any child who is on free or reduced lunches is eligible to use a school-owned instrument at no cost.. Some additional instruments are available to all other students on a first-come, first-served basis for a nominal fee of $50 per year. If you choose to rent an instrument from a music store your monthly payment (depending on the instrument) may vary between $15-$45. All students will purchase a method book at the beginning of the year (~$9.00) and will be responsible for incidental expenses throughout the year (reeds, valve/slide oil, etc.) Finances should not prevent any student from participating in band. If you have concerns about the finances please contact Mr. Gibson or Mrs. Chiera. Does band conflict with sports? At the middle school level, band does not conflict with sports. The only after-school/evening commitments associated with band are approximately four concerts per year. These concerts are held at Barberton High School at 7:00, typically in October, December, February, and May. Concert attendance is part of each band member's grade. Every year there are several athletes in every band at BMS. Will my child miss academic instruction time to be in band? No. Band class is offered as a regularly scheduled class and does not conflict with any academic instruction time. I want to get my child his/her own instrument. Where do I find one? First, contact a member of our band staff, or your child's private teacher for guidelines specific to your child's instrument. Here are some general guidelines to follow:
Concerts When and where are concerts held? All concerts are held in the Theater at Barberton High School. Concerts begin at 7:00. Attendance at concerts is required for all BMS band members. For a list of dates, please visit the calendar of events page. What do the students wear for concerts? Students will wear their band uniform for all concerts: purple band polo shirt, black pants, black socks, black shoes (preferred). Why is attendance at concerts required? Concerts are the culminating event for all of our daily work. It is our opportunity to demonstrate what has been learned over the past few months. The band cannot give it's best performance if some musicians are missing, therefore it is required at all students attend. Failure to attend will affect the student's grade. Instrument Supplies Below you will find lists by instrument of the supplies for your instrument. Most of these supplies are available at BMS. If you have any questions, ask! Flute
Oboe
Clarinet
Saxophone
Trumpet
French Horn
Trombone
Baritone / Euphonium / Tuba
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Questions or Concerns?Contact Mr. Gibson or Mrs. Chiera
About the BMS BandsBarberton Middle School is part of the Barberton City Schools, located in Northeast Ohio. BMS is comprised of grades 5-8, with a student body of approximately 1,000 students. The entire district enrollment is about 4,000 students. There are three members of the band staff in Barberton, all of whom work with the middle school students.
The BMS Band Program consists of sixth grade beginning band, seventh grade band, eighth grade band, and seventh & eighth grade jazz ensembles. Each band meets daily for one full period. Every student has the opportunity to participate in a subsidized private lesson program funded by the Barberton Band Boosters. Students receive a grade for their work in band and are required to attend all scheduled performances. Sixth Grade Band (Beginning Band) is team-taught by three members of the Barberton Band Staff. Enrollment is around 100 students in the beginning band program. The class is divided into sectional classes Monday through Thursday, with a full-band experience on Friday. All students are required to begin on a wind instrument. Students wishing to play oboe or french horn are required to take private lessons. In October, students interested in percussion have the opportunity to participate in percussion clinics and may then audition to become a member of the percussion section. The band gives four performances each year: Our First Concert (October), Holiday Concert (December), Bands-in-the-Round (Winter), and Spring Concert (May). Seventh Grade Band is also team-taught, allowing students the opportunity to have frequent sectionals and individualized help. Seventh Grade's first concert is in December, which allows the focus of the class during the first two months to be on technique, ensemble sound, and musical concepts. Students give three concerts each year (Holiday Concert, Bands-in-the-Round, and Spring Concert). Students are encouraged to participate in the OMEA District VI Solo and Ensemble Festival. Eighth Grade Band focuses on ensemble concepts and sounds, and helps students develop extended technique on their instruments. The group gives several performances each year: BHS Marching Band Youth Night (September), BMS Veteran's Day Assembly (November), Holiday Concert, Bands-in-the-Round, Spring Concert, as well as OMEA District VI Large Group Contest (Class B). Students are encouraged to participate in the OMEA District VI Solo and Ensemble Festival. In addition to these opportunities, all Eighth Grade Band students are invited to participate in the BHS Marching Band. The Jazz Ensembles are comprised of traditional big band instrumentation: Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Piano, Guitar, Bass, and Drumset. Each Jazz Ensemble meets daily during the school day. All members of the Ensemble must be members of concert band. The Jazz Ensemble plays at each concert on which the other bands perform. Additionally, they perform for several community events. The Barberton Middle School Bands were established in the Fall of 2011 with the opening of Barberton Middle School. Barberton Middle School consolidated the student populations of Highland Middle School and U.L. Light Middle School. |
