The Howard Band has grown from 150 to 200+ students in over the past 11 years. The directors at Howard work closely with the Cross Timbers IS and Summit HS directors to coordinate vertically aligned curriculum as well as recruitment for balanced instrumentation. We work to place each student on the instrument that best suits his or her future progress in the program. This coordination has resulted in an enrollment of more than 600 kids in band the band program in grades 6-12. At T.A. Howard, all bands are ability-based. Students are placed in ensembles based on a comprehensive audition each spring. The ensembles are as follows:
honor band
The Honor Band is Howard Middle School’s premier performing ensemble and is typically mostly composed of 8th graders. They officially represent the school and perform throughout the year. The Honor Band sets the standard in musicianship, integrity and professionalism at T.A. Howard Middle School.
Students place into the Honor Band by exemplifying the expectations listed on this page and through their Spring audition. To audition into the Honor Band, students must show superior preparation on the material as well as mature fundamentals; the most important of which is characteristic tone quality across the range of their instrument.
Honor Band students are encouraged to further outside musical growth by:
Auditioning for local Wind/Orchestra groups
Attend Summer Band camps at local colleges
symphonic band
The Symphonic Band is Howard Middle School’s second performing ensemble. They officially represent the school and perform periodically throughout the year. The Symphonic Band is typically composed of approximately half 8th graders and half 7th graders.
Students place into the Symphonic Band by embracing the expectations listed on this and through their Spring audition. To audition into the Symphonic Band, students must show excellent preparation on the material as well as developing fundamentals that might not quite be ready for the requirements of Honor Band literature.
Honor & Symphonic Band students are expected/required to:
Enroll in the Wind Ensemble/Percussion Class to further develop fundamentals
Enroll in weekly Private Lessons (half-scholarships available if necessary)
Attendance at all Band Events/Performances required by the class
Practice the required amount (or above if necessary) to maintain growth as a musician, improve fundamentals, and be prepared for all playing tests and performances
Remain eligible for all extracurricular activities by maintaining a 70 or higher in all classes (Pre-AP classes must be a 60 or higher)
Attend weekly section rehearsals before or after school
Audition for the All-District and All-Region Band (All-Region for Symphonic is the director’s discretion as to whether you should audition)
Perform at Solo & Ensemble Contest
Set the example school-wide as good leaders and ambassadors of our Band program
concert band
,Concert Band is Howard Middle School’s third performing ensemble. They officially represent the school and perform periodically throughout the year. The Concert Band is typically composed of mostly 7th graders and some 8th graders.
Students place into the Concert Band by committing to the expectations listed below and through their Spring audition. Students must show adequate preparation on the material as well as developing fundamentals that may not quite be ready for the requirements of Symphonic Band literature.
Concert Band students are expected/required to:
Attendance at all Band Events/Performances required by the class
Practice the required amount (or above if necessary) to maintain growth as a musician, improve fundamentals, and be prepared for all playing tests and performances
Remain eligible for all extracurricular activities by maintaining a 70 or higher in all classes (Pre-AP classes must be a 60 or higher)
Attend after school rehearsals leading up to performances to combine Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion
Perform at Solo & Ensemble Contest
Show exemplary or improving behavior school-wide as ambassadors of our Band program.
Concert Band students are also encouraged to:
Enroll in weekly Private Lessons (half-scholarships available, if necessary)
Audition for the All-District Band (and attend weekly sectionals in preparation)
Attend Summer Band camps at local colleges
To stress the continued development of fundamentals, tone, technique, range, scales, etc. we split Concert Band into two classes: Woodwind/Percussion & Brass. Each student should make advancement into a higher band and/or preparation for high school band a top priority.
These expectations allow us to work towards a level of musicianship that allows us to play challenging middle school literature at a high quality of performance standard. Attendance at all band events, as well as any scheduled concert or contest is strictly required for membership in these ensembles.