Stay a Part of the Band!

Some of our best musicians play at the District Honor Band after a fun weekend trip!

Band students travel!

7th & 8th graders perform at the football games

8th graders perform at an EA football game!

​The major difference is that as you progress through music and get better and better, you have more opportunities to perform and learn a greater variety of music!  For example, you'll march in a parade and our 8th graders perform at an EA football game and put on a themed concert in the fall.  This year it was movie-themed and we all dressed in costume! 

​The better you get, the better musicians you play with, so the better music you play, and the more fun you have!

​Band meets during elective block.  Depending on the school class schedule (which is TBA for 2020-2021), after school full band rehearsals may or may not be required.  If required, they would be few and just before a major performance.  We work very closely with the cheer/dance/athletic schedules and coaches to make sure conflicts are worked out.  We also help to make sure all our students can find transportation.  

And as an option, we always welcome our 7th and 8th graders to come and mentor our beginners at their after-school help sessions.  These sessions are of course optional, but our 7th and 8th graders look forward to the opportunity to pass down their knowledge to the beginners!

​Yes!  There is NO conflict between band and sports at CMS!  These students participate in band activities during class time but after school they participate in the sports, cheer, or dance activities.  As a matter of fact, many of the captains from those teams are often in the band!  

This depends!  To avoid slowing the progression of the band program, instrument switches are not typical as we rather students master their first instrument.  If a switch is made, it is usually because the student he been unsuccessful or unhappy on their current instrument OR they are fulfilling a new need for the band program.  For example, we will be looking to switch students to bassoon, French horn, tenor sax, bari sax, and bass clarinet.  We make these decisions on a case-by-case basis through consultation with the band director.  In the end, we want our students to be happy with the instrument they are playing, so please contact Ms. Codina to discuss this further!

​This is highly discouraged.  You need to stay the course!  Missing a year and coming back is extremely difficult.  

​Band students have the opportunity to take high school credit courses such as Algebra 1 and English 1. 

In high school, band counts as a fine arts elective (which is required for graduation and TOPS scholarships).  Also in high school, band fulfills two PE requirements (like a 2 for 1 deal!), helping to free up space in your schedule to take other electives you may be interested in! 

Mr. Dollar attended EA and graduated at the top of his class!  He was able to remain in band throughout middle school and high school, all while fulfilling all of his high school requirements AND receiving enough college credit to begin college as a sophomore!   

#BandKidsBestKids  Band attracts (and develops) students that value hard work and determination as a member of a team.  Studies have shown that students involved in music score higher on standardized tests and stay more engaged in school.  College music scholarships are plentiful, even more so that athletic scholarships.  For example, LSU offers $1-3,000 a year and ULL will pay student’s housing just to play in the band at football games (not even to major in music)!  

​There is the annual $35.00 band fee, a $20.00 uniform shirt that is used all three years the student in band, and participation in an annual fundraiser to cover other expenses is required.

It is important to our band family that YOU remain a Part of the Band!!  We can't do it without you!  Please contact the band director at katie.codina@apsb.org with any questions or concerns that you may have as we move into a new schol year!

Fill out your
2020-2021 Elective Request Form
by Friday, May 15, 2020