GARCIA MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND

Dr. Juliet V. Garcia Middle School opened in the fall of 2002 and became the tenth middle school in the Brownsville ISD. The band has approximately 250 students in the program ranging from sixth to eighth grade. There are three classes of beginner band. Second and third year band members are placed either in the cadet band, concert band or symphonic band. Band assignments are made by the directors and are based on ability level and individual commitment. All band members have the opportunity to perform in concerts and parades. Concert and symphonic bands compete in festivals and at the U.I.L. concert-sight reading contest. Second and third year band members are encouraged to audition for the region band and participate in the B.I.S.D. solo and ensemble contest.

Beginners can begin on flute, clarinet, saxophone, cornet, trombone or snare drum. The beginner band classes are divided and taught separately between woodwinds/snare drum and brass. The primary emphasis for all instruments is tone development with a strong focus on embouchure, breathing, hand position, recognizing and producing a characteristic tone. The beginner band is combined a few weeks before each performance. Switch-overs are made in the spring and summer and are based on student interest, ability level and director recommendation.

All band classes meet every day of the week for 50 minutes. Band members in the concert and symphonic band have a mandatory after school sectional once a week with the members of their section. Individual and small group lessons are provided to students preparing for the All-Region Band and Solo and Ensemble contest. All brass students work with Mr. Clark or Mr. Salazar and all woodwind/percussion students work with Mr. Cantu. Although we do not a have a private lesson program, we do make arrangements to have our colleagues within the district listen and evaluate our progress and make recommendations for improvement.

The motto of the Garcia band is, "Dedicated to Excellence". We strive to achieve this commitment everyday and that involves every aspect of what we do and how we conduct ourselves as teachers, students and musicians. We are dedicated to creating an environment that will produce talented musicians and individuals that possess outstanding character and leadership skills.

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