Welcome to the Bridgeport Middle School Instrumental Music Program!

The 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Band classes meet daily for 45 minutes. The students work on warmups, basics, and rehearse a variety of music. In addition to the method book, we will begin learning standard music from the Band repertoire and music specific to the ensemble. Students can leave their instruments safe at school throughout the week. Being in Band does not interfere with core classes or athletics. We present fall, winter, and spring concerts throughout the school year. The concert dates will be announced at the beginning of the school year.

We believe the decision for a young student to join Band is one of the most rewarding decisions of their life. Band goes well beyond notes and rhythms. While teaching music is the focus of the class, students learn and develop most from the behind the scenes work they do. When the newness of band wears off, self-discipline and responsibility become the pillars of music education. Despite any level of natural ability, hard work is inevitable. In a world where instant gratification becomes more prominent every day, mastering an instrument only comes with determination, practice, and time. Through this process we hope our students gain an appreciation for all types of music and a passion to perform. We also hope that the students genuinely enjoy Band and making music.

• 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Strings classes meet daily for 45 minutes.

• Strings students quickly review the basics and begin building on those skills, setting individual and classroom goals to take them to the next level in their playing, all while having fun.

• Strings students may leave their instruments at school throughout the week!

• Strings classes perform winter and spring concerts for family and friends

Additionally, students may continue Strings class into high school, where they continue to study with Mrs. Price and refine their skills as musicians while taking their performances into the community.

At the middle school level, students can be in band or strings. If they do not participate in one of those ensembles, then they will take general music for at least 27 weeks of their time at the middle school. We are asking students interested in Band or Strings to sign a letter of commitment agreeing to remain in the program for at least the first nine-week period. However, students can take Band or Strings for the entire three years of middle school if they wish. In fact, we would LOVE IT if they did!