This class is open to anyone who has limited or no experience playing an instrument. Students must rent or purchase an instrument as well as a book, mouthpiece and proper accessories. The band director will aid in instrument selection. Students are required to perform a solo and ensemble at competition at the end of the year. A concert uniform is required. Students will need to maintain passing grades (in all classes), as well as demonstrate musical progress and proper discipline.

The Concert Band is comprised of students with intermediate skills that have had at least one year of experience in band. This group may represent Tennyson Middle School at UIL sanctioned events. These students are required to participate in solo and ensemble contest in the spring. A concert uniform is required. Students will need to maintain passing grades (in all classes), as well as demonstrate musical progress and proper discipline. *Note: Band placement is by audition and can change at any time based on director recommendations.

The Symphonic Band is comprised of students with intermediate skills that have at least one year of experience in band. A majority of the students in this group are second year band students. This group represents Tennyson Middle School at UIL sanctioned events. These students are required to audition for the All-District Band, and those who earn a spot in the All-District Band are required to audition for a spot in one of the Region Bands. Symphonic Band students are required to participate in solo and ensemble contest in the spring. A concert uniform is required. Students will need to maintain passing grades (in all classes), as well as demonstrate musical progress and proper discipline. *Note: Band placement is by audition and can change at any time based on director recommendations.

The Honors Band is the premiere band at Tennyson Middle School. It is comprised of the most skilled and well-behaved students in the band program. A majority of the students in this group are third year players. This group will represent Tennyson Middle School at all UIL sanctioned events. The students of this ensemble are required to audition for the All-District and Region Bands and participate in solo and ensemble contest in the spring. A concert uniform is required. Students will need to maintain passing grades (in all classes), as well as demonstrate musical progress and proper discipline. *Note: Band placement is by audition and can change at any time based on director recommendations.

Jazz Band is an instrumental music class designed for band students who have an interest in pursuing jazz studies to begin development of necessary skills that are required of a jazz musician. Students will learn basic jazz scales, styles, chord structures and improvisational skills. All students are required to have completed the previous level of experience on a band instrument. Students who do not play a traditional jazz instrument are responsible for learning a secondary instrument in order to have a jazz band with traditional instrumentation. Each student will have the opportunity to perform in an ensemble and as a soloist.

All bands will perform at one or more full-band contests throughout the year (see calendar). These performances are mandatory and are a major part of the students' grades. The beginners will perform at an end of the year contest. The Jazz Band will perform at the Temple Jazz Festival. The Advanced Bands will perform at the District Band Evaluation (Pre-UIL), UIL Concert & Sight-reading Contest and a post-UIL contest.

Each ensemble will perform at various concerts throughout the year (see calendar). These performances are mandatory and are a major part of the students' grades. All bands will perform at both a Winter and Spring concert. The Advanced Bands will have additional performances. Students must perform at all concerts throughout the year in order to attend the end of year band contest/trip.

All members of the Tennyson band program are required to perform a solo and an ensemble. The Advanced Band students perform at a district-wide contest in February. The Beginning Band students perform at a campus contest in May.

Members of the advanced bands are eligible to audition for the All-Region bands. Students in the Honors Band are required to audition. Auditions and the clinic/concert are held in November.

Members of the advanced bands are eligible to audition for the All-District band. Students in the Honors & Symphonic Bands are required to audition. Auditions are held in October. The All-District Band clinic/concert is held in December.

As one might expect, private lessons on a musical instrument are the best way to improve performance skills. The one-on-one approach allows the student to benefit from individual attention as opposed to being one in a class of more than fifty. A recent survey of students in the High School All-State Band revealed that approximately 80% of the students in band study privately. Students are generally more inclined to practice diligently for a weekly music assignment, and this discipline increases the students' enjoyment with the instrument. The band director will be more than happy to assist in the selection of a music enrichment teacher (MET).

There are many nationally known summer institutes for instrumental instruction. There are also regional summer music camps at local universities. Students are encouraged to be involved in music activities over the summer. Band camp information will be posted in the band area. Summer band camp applications will be available from the directors.

All students enrolled in Honors Band and Symphonic Band are required to attend sectionals once a week. A schedule will be determined during the first week of school. Sectionals occur before or after school. It is during these sectionals in which students receive instruction specifically relevant to their instrument and/or part in the band music. Students will receive grades for attendance and weekly playing assignments for sectionals.