4th Grade Beginner Band

The 4th-grade band program is designed to give the student the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument. The required book is Essential Elements Book One published by Hal Leonard Corporation. The students meet once per week in a 40-minute session. The band participates in the annual Christmas and Spring Concerts.

Students also have the opportunity to participate in the IGSMA District Solo/Ensemble Contest held each March. The emphasis for the beginners is to learn notes, rhythms, key signatures, and other basic fundamentals of performing on an instrument. Students use practices cards and are expected to practice at least 20 minutes per day. Grades for the band class are based on: a) in-class performance b) behavior c) accomplishment of musical fundamentals.

5th – 8th Grade Advanced Band

The 5th – 8th-grade band program is designed to advance the goals from beginning band to performance-based band. Students learn major and minor scales and arpeggios, major and minor key signatures, musical styles, and basic performance fundamentals. Essential Elements Book Two and band performance selections are used in tandem to teach students to further their musical pursuits. Students perform at the annual Christmas and Spring Concerts.

They also perform as a Pep Band at several boys and girls basketball games each season. Many students elect to perform in the IGSMA District and State Solo/Ensemble Contest. Several students are selected each year to perform in the Madison County Band Festival which is held each year in February. Select students may elect to audition for the IMEA All-District Band which is held each year in November. Many students are also asked to perform with the two school choirs on special occasions. Students also perform at the annual Grandparents Day. Students are encouraged to practice at least 20 minutes per day.

Each grade class meets once per week for 40 minutes. The entire 6th – 8th-grade band meets together once per week for an hour of full rehearsal.

Pep Band

Our pep band plays during GSLS sporting events.

Questions may be addressed to: Mr. Zach Stegman Children’s Music Director at zstegman@gslcs.org