Belton Middle School Band

At our Solo & Ensemble Contest at BMS last Saturday, we had a total of 162 events, and we’re proud to report that the judges awarded a total of 122 First Divisions.  That’s over 75% of the total performances earning a Superior rating!  These students will earn a medal at the end of the year.  Second Division Excellent ratings were awarded to 30 of our students, and they will receive a ribbon.  The judges also awarded 21 Outstanding Performer special medals, and their names are listed below. Great job, Belton MS Band students!

1. Hudson B., oboe
2. Kenna C., bassoon
3. Ethan B., clarinet
4. Deanna G., clarinet
5. Javid P., clarinet
6. Noelle D., alto saxophone
7. John P., alto saxophone
8. Hope B., trumpet (Wind Ensemble)
9. Layna C., trumpet
10. Ana P., trumpet
11. Bobby R., trumpet
12. Kyan P., both trombone and horn
13. Pablo U., trombone
14. Nathan W., trombone
15. Alyssa V., both trombone and euphonium
16. Alayna S., tuba
17. Graham C., mallet percussion
18. Alyssa N., mallet percussion
19. Diego S.-C., snare drum

This message is for current 6th & 7th Grade Band Parents/Students only:

As we look ahead to planning for next school year, we need your feedback on your son or daughter’s likely choice for their enrollment in Band next year.  We really appreciate your child’s participation in our program, and we sincerely hope they decide to continue to play their instrument and learn life-long skills, such as punctuality, preparation, self-discipline, focus, and relentless grit.  The directors know that Band can add that special motivation to do well and to be superior in everything they do.  All directors work with athletic coaches and other sponsors constantly to avoid any conflicts that may arise by students’ participation in multiple programs.  We never want to put your child in the position of having to choose between different activities.

After talking it over with your student, please click on this link to fill out the form, and if appropriate, please give us reasons that support your decision: https://forms.gle/57ZGCQycBe7qSyCS8.  We would like your response by Friday, March 5 in order to plan for next year.

Remember, being in Band offers many benefits outside of playing an instrument.  Important life skills such as time management are learned, as well as the integration of team building skills on a daily basis.  Band students also score higher on both the SAT and ACT.  Children who take Band have a lower life-long drug and alcohol abuse rates as compared to those who don’t.  All of these are important abilities that both colleges and future employers look for in our Band students.  We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, Band students are the best kids in school!

Regardless of their choice, all 6th & 7th grade Band students will prepared and perform an End-of-Year Audition that serves as a placement exam for our ensembles.  This will take place during the April/May, and is part of their semester exam.  We appreciate your help with this process.

Due to the inclement weather last week, we need to reschedule our Solo & Ensemble Contest to Saturday, March 6 here at Belton MS.  If you have already signed up for a time, we have automatically transferred that over to the new date on Sign-Up Genius.  If you did not yet sign up, please do so no later than this Friday, February 26.  Students/Parents who have not yet signed up for a time will be assigned one by us next week.  If you need to change your sign-up time, please visit appropriate link below and change it directly on Sign-Up Genius.

Woodwinds (flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, and saxophone) will perform in the morning between 9:00am and 12:00pm, and can access their sign-ups here: https://tinyurl.com/bmswoodwinds

Brass (trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, and tuba) will perform in the afternoon between 1:00pm and 4:30pm, and can access their sign-ups at: https://tinyurl.com/bmsbrass

Percussion will perform both in the morning (between 9:00am and 12:00pm) and in the afternoon (between 1:00pm and 3:00pm), and can access their sign-ups here: http://tinyurl.com/bmspercussion

Please contact a director if you have any questions or conflicts.

We will reschedule both our Solo & Ensemble Contest and Instrument Placement Night for a different day. More information will come out once everything settles back into a normal routine. Please stay warm and safe!

Please read this document detailing our Band Solo and Ensemble Contest here at Belton MS on Saturday, February 20.  Students will need to wear their formal band uniform for this performance, and will need to be dropped off at the side entrance of the school (by the Cafeteria) 10 minutes before their performance time.  Only students, directors, and judges will be allowed in the building in order to keep with socially-distanced protocols.  After their performance, students can be picked up at the front of the school in order to create a one-way flow of traffic inside the school, and to help alleviate traffic congestion outside of the school.

Students who play a woodwind instrument will perform between 9:00am and 12:00pm that day.  If your student plays a woodwind instrument (flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, or saxophone), please click on this link to sign them up for a time slot: https://tinyurl.com/bmswoodwinds.  Remember students will need to arrive 10 minutes before their performance time, and then should be picked up immediately afterward at the front of the school.  The whole timespan should take no longer than 20 minutes.

Students who play a brass instrument (trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, or tuba) will perform between 1:00pm and 4:30pm that day.  If your student plays a brass instrument, please click on this link to sign them up for a time slot: https://tinyurl.com/bmsbrass.

Percussion students can choose to perform in the morning between 9:00am and 12:00pm, or in the afternoon between 1:00pm and 3:00pm.  If your student play a percussion instrument, please click on this link to sign them up for a time slot: https://tinyurl.com/bmspercussion.  

Please sign up your child for a time slot no later than Wednesday, February 17 so we can adequately prepare for this contest.  Students have been preparing for this major grade for a few months, so please show your support by listening to their solo at home.  Thank you for your help, and please let us know if you have any questions.