Band
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The mission of the Lamar Middle School band program in Austin, Texas is to provide students with an enriching musical experience: to facilitate students in developing a level of musical growth that will enhance their quality of life and enable them to become lifelong advocates of music.
Courses
Beginning Band - The beginning band primarily consists of 6th graders and first year musicians (7th and 8th graders). All band members begin with this course, unless they audition out, in order to learn to read music, understand rehearsal and concert etiquette, and understand how to practice and perform their instruments. This band has a winter and spring concert plus a spring trip in May.
Symphonic Winds - Also known as the intermediate or non-varsity band. This band participates in pep band, fall concert, winter concert, spring concert, UIL Concert and Sight-reading, and competes in local festivals in the state.
Wind Ensemble- Also known as the advanced or varsity band. This band participates in pep band, fall concert, winter concert, spring concert, UIL Concert and Sight-reading, and represents Lamar at the highest levels of competition.
Jazz Factory - The Jazz Factory is a nationally recognized performing ensemble consisting of saxophones, trumpets, trombones, guitar, bass, piano, drum set, auxiliary percussion, and a vocalist. You must be concurrently enrolled in Symphonic Winds or Wind Ensemble. Members of the rhythm section (guitar, bass, piano) are not required to be in one of the aforementioned concert groups. The vocalist is required to be in either band or choir.
Auditions for Prospective Band Majors
Incoming students that do not play a band instrument must bring an instrument of their choice (i.e. recorder, piano, snare drum, etc.). Students must be prepared to perform a 14 measure solo of their choice. If you need assistance selecting those 14 measures, please contact Luis Corpus (Director of Bands).
Incoming students that do play a band instrument (flute, clarinet, saxophone, horn, trumpet, trombone, baritone, tuba, percussion) must be prepared to play the excerpt attached to the Band Audition Rubric and 3 Concert Major Scales: F, Bb, Eb or Ab, and chromatic. Please ask your current Band Director/Private Tutor for help.
Band Handbook
The Lamar MS Band has a handbook that states the additional requirements and expectations for each member. Click here to view the handbook.
For additional information, please do not hesitate to call the Lamar Band Faculty:
Luis Corpus, Director of Bands - luis.corpus@austinisd.org - (512) 414-4549
Thea Kilbane, Assistant Director of Bands - thea.kilbane@austinisd.org, (512) 414-4549