Daniels Bands

Band Information for Rising 6th Grade Students

Parents of students interested in taking band as a 6th grade elective are invited to one of two parent information nights, April 14 and April 16 from 6:30 - 7:30  in the band room at Daniels.  Parents and students will learn about the band program at Daniels including the benefits of band as well as rental and purchase options for acquiring instruments.  Students will also sign up for a ten minute tryout slot for the following week (April 21st and 23rd). For more information, contact Ann Druss, Band instructor, at 571-6878 or adruss@wcpss.net.  

• April 14  (Tuesday)  Band Info Night for Rising 6th parents  6:30 - 7:30
• April 16  (Thursday)  Band Info Night for Rising 6th parents 6:30 - 7:30
• April 21  (Tuesday)  Band Tryouts for Rising 6th students  6 - 8
• April 23  (Thursday)  Band Tryouts for Rising 6th students  6 - 8

Beginning Band-Year Long

6^th graders are offered a year long class of Beginning band instruction. It is the only opportunity for beginning band instruction at Daniels Middle School .  There will be two sections of beginning band classes:  Beginning Woodwinds and Beginning Brass/Percussion.  Beginning woodwinds instruments include: flute, clarinet, and tenor and alto saxophone.  Beginning brass instruments include: trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone, and tuba.  All students interested in percussion will begin on mallet instruments and will eventually move to snare. There will also be a limit on how many students may play a particular instrument to help balance the total band sound. 

Both 6^th grade classes focus on basic beginning instrumental music skills.  No prior musical knowledge is required.  Parents and students will be invited to attend meetings to arrange a tryout and rental of band instruments before 6^th grade band instruction begins. 

Both 6^th grade bands combine to perform in 3 public concerts during the school year. This is an exciting opportunity in a young musician’s development and encourages musicianship, teamwork, builds confidence, and it’s FUN!

Intermediate Band-Year Long

7^th grade Intermediate Band is a year long course of instruction.  Two intermediate band classes are offered and build upon the beginning band skills previously mastered.  Focus continues with development of proper breath support, beautiful tone production, and intermediate music reading skills.  More emphasis is placed on music theory and performing in an ensemble with increased musical technique and expression. Students will perform in at least 3 public concerts during the school year.

Advanced Band-Year Long

8th grade Advanced Band is a year long course of instruction.  One advanced band class builds upon the musical skills previously mastered.  Focus continues with development of proper breath support, beautiful tone production, and advanced music reading skills.  Much emphasis is placed on music theory and performing in an ensemble with increased musical technique and expression. Students will perform in at least 3 public concerts during the school year.  It has been a long standing tradition that the 8^th grade advanced band attend a competitive music festival to demonstrate musicality and serve as musical ambassadors for Daniels Middle School .  This combined trip with the show and honor choirs usually occurs in the spring.

Contact Information:   
Ann Druss  571-6878 or adruss@wcpss.net