The Concord Middle School band program is made up ensembles at each grade level: 6th-Grade Band, 7th-Grade Band, and 8th-Grade Band. Each band at CMS rehearses three times per cycle, every other day, during the school day. As a continuation from elementary bands, the Concord Middle School focuses on ensemble playing and individual growth.
The curricular ensembles at CMS typically perform in 3 formal concerts each year: Winter Concert, Spring Concert, and the MICCA Concert Festival. We also offer two after-school ensembles - Jazz and Wind Ensemble - which offer students even more performance opportunities!
See the CALENDAR for a full list of this year's events.
The curricular ensembles at CMS typically perform in 3 formal concerts each year: Winter Concert, Spring Concert, and the MICCA Concert Festival. We also offer two after-school ensembles - Jazz and Wind Ensemble - which offer students even more performance opportunities!
See the CALENDAR for a full list of this year's events.
Required Materials for Concord Middle School Bands, Grade 6-8
Band students must have the following every class (these supplies are not provided). Note: Instruments should not be left at school over night, between rehearsals except in unique circumstances where permission is given:
Recommended for home practice:
Concert Attire
CMS Bands have two types of concerts, formal and casual.
Formal performances include, but are not limited to, the CMS Winter Concert and MICCA Concert Festival. Formal concert dress for band members is ALL BLACK - ONLY BLACK. Students of any gender may choose from the options below:
Band students must have the following every class (these supplies are not provided). Note: Instruments should not be left at school over night, between rehearsals except in unique circumstances where permission is given:
- Instrument w/ appropriate supplies (reeds, valve oil, maintenance supplies, etc.)
- Black 1” 3-ring binder and sheet protectors
- Pencil(s) in a pencil case, clipped into binder
- Brass players should keep a small cloth in their case to release excess condensation (aka empty spit valve). This should be washed frequently.
- Chromatic Tuner - standalone, not a smartphone app, please (Example here)
- Method Book
- 6th-Grade: “Sound Innovations for Concert Band,” Book 1 (Blue Cover, same as 4th/5th-grade band)
- 7th-Grade Method Book: “Sound Innovations for Concert Band, Ensemble Development for Young Concert Band” (Yellow Cover)
- 8th-Grade Method Book: "Sound Innovations for Concert Band, Ensemble Development" (Green Cover)
Recommended for home practice:
- Music stand
- An instrument stand
- Metronome (many tuners include that function)
Concert Attire
CMS Bands have two types of concerts, formal and casual.
Formal performances include, but are not limited to, the CMS Winter Concert and MICCA Concert Festival. Formal concert dress for band members is ALL BLACK - ONLY BLACK. Students of any gender may choose from the options below:
- Black button-up collar shirt (tucked in)
- Black dress pants (please avoid jeans/sweatpants/shorts)
- Black skirt (long or knee-length w/ opaque black tights) and blouse/top
- Black dress (long or knee-length w/ opaque black tights)
- Black dress socks
- Black dress shoes (please, avoid high heels and sneakers)
- Accessories (suit coat, headbands, ties) should be all black and are optional
- Band sweatshirt/t-shirt (order below)
- Jeans/pants/leggings/etc.
- Sneakers (or similar)
- Acceptable substitutions for a band shirt are Concord or Concord-Carlisle shirts of any relatively neutral color shirt.
Daily Class Grade
The foundation of our students' success relies on three Ps - Punctuality, Preparation, and Positive Contributions (PPP). Therefore, we have created a daily 10-point grading category in Aspen that focuses on student participation, organization, and effort. Read more about it here.
The foundation of our students' success relies on three Ps - Punctuality, Preparation, and Positive Contributions (PPP). Therefore, we have created a daily 10-point grading category in Aspen that focuses on student participation, organization, and effort. Read more about it here.
