JOIN THE BAND.
JOIN THE FUN.
GMSD Bands are
exceptional.
world-class instruction and achievement
Taught by a staff with a combined century of professional music performance and education experience, bands in the Germantown Municipal School District are rigorous, high-achieving, exceptional ensembles. Bands in the district regularly achieve "superior" ratings at concert performance assessments and marching band competitions.
world-class students and work ethic
GMSD Bands regularly boast an impressive 50-65% participation rate in regional honors ensembles, meaning they are comprised of some of the hardest working, most talented musicians in the area. Students care deeply about their craft and work to be better than they were the day before. This work ethic follows GMSD Bands alumni through the rest of their lives.
GMSD Bands are
community-oriented.
a kind and empathetic growth-mindset
Students are met where they are and given tools to improve. Our band instructors understand that learning a new instrument without any prior experience can be scary. GMSD Bands instructors know this and work to cultivate skills and artistry, while maintaining a caring and growth-oriented environment for our young musicians.
ENGAGEMENT IN GERMANTOWN AND BEYOND
Members of GMSD Bands regularly participate in public performances at sporting events, parades, fundraisers, luncheons, school board meetings, and local businesses. We understand that a band can and should be a cornerstone of the arts in any thriving community, and we are proud to serve in that role in one of the best communities around!
GMSD Bands are
fun!
an activity like no other
Band is a rigorous, goal-oriented, athletic, academic, intense, complex, passionate, expressive, high-energy activity. That said, most students would describe it more simply as FUN! Performing, learning, and expressing yourself with art is an activity as old as humanity, and it's an incredible privilege to get to participate in this millennia-old tradition!
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something for everyone
Our middle school bands feature both beginning and advanced ensemble classes. Our high school band students have opportunities to perform in concert ensembles, marching band, pep band, chamber ensembles, the Silver Note Collective (our jazz ensembles), year-round color guard, music theory courses, symphony orchestra, and much more! If you have any questions about GMSD Band offerings, please fill out the form below!
how do i join band?
Lots of people think joining band is complicated or confusing, so they pick an "easier" activity. That's far from the truth, though! Joining band is as simple as selecting it as an elective in middle or high school. Students or parents can reach out to their band directors with any questions they have about joining band.
Houston High School Band
join at any time with any experience!
Joining the awarding-winning Houston High Band is as easy as reaching out to the directors and signing up. The earlier you notify us, the better. You can reach out to us at hhsband@gmsdk12.org.
Houston High
silver note collective
join at any time with an audition
Join our jazz collective by reaching out to Mr. Sims. He will happily set up an audition time for you on drums, piano, guitar, or bass. You can reach out to Mr. Sims at brian.sims@gmsdk12.org.
Houston High
color guard
join at any time with any experience!
Joining our color guard is as easy as reaching out! Prior experience is preferred, but we always have spots for students of all skill levels! Reach out to us by emailing hhsband@gmsdk12.org.
Houston middle
school band
join at the start of each school year!
Joining the band at Houston Middle School is as simple as registering for the band elective and reaching out to the band director Mr. Nesvick. You can email Mr. Nesvick at spencer.nesvick@gmsdk12.org.
riverdale k-8 middle school band
join at the start of each school year!
Joining the band at the Riverdale K-8 School is as simple as registering for the middle school band elective and reaching out to Mrs. Woodring. You can email Mrs. Woodring at megan.woodring@gmsdk12.org.
out of district?
there is a place for you in the hhs band.
Through the utilization of GMSD's Open Enrollment combined with either HHS's Honors Academy or Leadership Academy, students that are not zoned for Houston High School can attend HHS and be a part of our award-winning band program. If you have questions, reach out to Dr. Simone via email: HHSadmissions@gmsdk12.org
why should i join band?
academic benefits
Students who participate in instrumental music perform significantly better on standardized assessments relative to non-music students when adjusted for external factors. Instrumental music students have outperformed even choral music students, who also outperformed the general student population.
The impacts of school-based instrumental ensemble participation on academic proficiency are strongly correlated, even when specifically and intentionally correcting for the strong covariant of socioeconomic status.
Let's make music together!
Do you have any questions?
Get in touch with this form or email us at hhsband@gmsdk12.org.