The Reynolds Bands
Wind Ensemble
Director: Loren Taylor
Meeting: All Year, 5th Period
Prerequisites: One or more years of band and successful audition prior to placement into the Wind Ensemble are required. Students considered for Wind Ensemble must be in excellent academic and behavioral standing with Reynolds Middle School and the Reynolds Band Department.
About: This advanced-level band class is similar to a Pre-AP or High School level band class which emphasizes the development of full-band performance skills in preparation for concerts, UIL C&SR Evaluation, and competitions. The band is a complete wind ensemble that performs grade 2-4 literature, meant for advanced 3rd year musicians. Wind Ensemble's primary focus is on successfully preparing advanced 8th grade members for high school band. Students explore the elements of more complex melody, harmony, and interpretation, and develop a higher level of technical playing proficiency through multiple performing opportunities. Individual growth and achievement are encouraged through solo and ensemble performances, Pre-UIL Contest, UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contest, PISD All-District Honor Band auditions, TMEA Region Honor Band auditions, and various festivals and concerts. Students attend one weekly co-curricular section practice, also known as a “sectional,” which lasts 90 minutes and takes place either before or after school. Attendance at sectionals is mandatory, graded, and considered an extension of classroom instruction.
Due to the rigor of Wind Ensemble, private lessons are mandatory.
Symphonic Band
Director: Dylan Dann
Meeting: All Year, 3rd Period
Prerequisites: One or more years of band. Also in good academic and behavioral standing with Reynolds Middle School and the Reynolds band department. A successful audition from the previous school year.
About: This intermediate-level band class emphasizes the development of full-band performance skills in preparation for concerts and UIL contest. The band is a complete wind ensemble that plays grade 2-3 literature and is considered an advanced 2nd year course or on-level 3rd year course. The students continue to reinforce fundamentals, increase music ability and range, and prepare students for high school band or Wind Ensemble. Students explore the elements of basic melody, harmony, and interpretation, and develop a higher level of technical playing proficiency through multiple performing opportunities. Individual growth and achievement are encouraged through solo and ensemble performances, Pre-UIL Contest, UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contest, All-District Honor Band auditions, TMEA Region Honor Band auditions, and various festivals and concerts. Students attend one weekly co-curricular section practice, also known as a “sectional,” which lasts 60 minutes and takes place either before or after school. Attendance at sectionals is mandatory, graded, and considered an extension of classroom instruction.
Due to the rigor of Symphonic Band, private lessons are highly encouraged.
Concert Band
Director: Ian Bassham
Meeting: All Year, 4th Period
Prerequisites: One or more years of band. Also in good academic and behavioral standing with the Reynolds band department.
This on-level band class emphasizes the development of full-band performance skills in preparation for concerts and UIL contest. The band performs grade 1-2 literature and is an on-level course for 2nd and 3rd year band members. The students reinforce fundamentals, increase music ability and range, and prepare students for Symphonic Band or Wind Ensemble. Students develop a higher level of technical playing proficiency through multiple performing opportunities. Individual growth and achievement are encouraged through solo and ensemble performances, Pre-UIL Contest, UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contest, and various festivals and concerts. Students attend one weekly co-curricular section practice, also known as a “sectional,” which lasts 60 minutes and takes place either before or after school. Attendance at sectionals is mandatory, graded, and considered an extension of classroom instruction.
Students interested in moving into Symphonic Band or Wind Ensemble are highly encouraged to take private lessons!
6th Grade / Beginning Band
Director: Loren Taylor, Dylan Dann, Ian Bassham, Spencer Pedone
Meeting: All-Year, Various Periods
Prerequisites: None! Anyone can join beginning band in 6th grade. There is no prior experience necessary. Though 6th grade is considered the "official" entry point for beginning band, we do accept 7th and 8th grade beginning band members with some additional requirements. Please reach out to a band director for more information if you are interested.
The beginning band program at Reynolds Middle School is the foundation for the entire band program. Beginning band is structured to teach each student the fundamental music skills necessary for success on their instrument. Private lessons are strongly encouraged!
During the school year, the Reynolds Middle School Beginning Band has the following goals and objectives:
- To learn and demonstrate the band content standards as outlined by the Texas State Board of Education
- To learn and demonstrate the process of creating and perfecting music through various concerts and performance opportunities
- To introduce and master fundamental instrumental technique and musical ability
- To develop and grow music vocabulary and theory
- To prepare for middle school band playing standards
Beginning Band has multiple performances, including:
- Winter Concert
- Solo Contest
- Spring Concert
- Spring Festival Trip (including a fun activity)
Jazz Band
Director: Ian Bassham, Dylan Dann
Meeting: Semester or All-Year
Prerequisites: At least one year of experience required / Concurrent enrollment in a band class is mandatory. Current orchestra members can be considered after audition into the ensemble on a case-by-case basis.
The Reynolds Jazz Band is open to any band member with 1 or more years of experience. The course offers band members the opportunity to learn different musical styles outside of the traditional concert band curriculum. Students who wish to be members of the ensemble must commit to exceptional levels of performance both in “concert” music and in jazz music. Jazz Band is a limited enrollment extracurricular organization within the Reynolds MS Band program. Though Jazz Band is open to all returning band members, priority enrollment in this limited class will be given to students who play typical Jazz instruments (saxophones (all), trumpet, trombone, guitar, string bass or bass guitar, piano, and drum set*)
*Drum Set priority will be given to current Reynolds Percussion Members
