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Join the Band! Ebenezer Middle School

Welcome to the Ebenezer Middle School Band Program! The goal of the Ebenezer Band Program is not only to inspire great musicians, but to cultivate a servant’s heart in each of our students. Reminding them daily to stay humble, and that what we do is only a platform to share our gifts, generosity, and kindness.

The EMS Band Program consists of over 350 students in grades 6-8. The 6th grade band is divided into a woodwind class, and a brass and percussion class. Sectionals are often utilized to ensure that students receive the most efficient and effective instruction. These sectionals are taught by the EMS band staff and the associate directors from Effingham County High School and South Effingham High School. The 7th and 8th grade band classes are ability based and are taught by Mrs. Murray and our new assistant band director. Through an audition process, students are placed into one of three 7th and 8th grade ensembles: Eagle Winds, Symphonic Band, or Concert Band. Our top ensemble, Eagle Winds, meets before school on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Our secondary honor ensemble, Symphonic Band, meets before school on Monday and Friday mornings. The Concert Band meets during class time only. Band classes meet everyday as one of students connections classes.

The Ebenezer Middle School Bands consistently earn superior ratings at Large Group Performance Evaluation and Solo and Ensemble. Students regularly earn placement into the Georgia Music Educators Association All State Band, District 1 Honor Band, and various local honor bands. The Eagle Winds Honor Band has been invited to perform at the 2016 GMEA In Service Conference, the 2016 Southeastern Music For All Regional Concert Band Festival, and the University of Georgia Middle School Band Festival in December 2014 and 2019. Eagle Winds was a recipient of the GMEA Exemplary Performance Award for the 2015-16 school year.

How does 6th grade band work? 6th grade band is a class that meets during the school day only. There are no after school rehearsals for our 6th grade students. This means that your child can participate in after school sports and clubs since band will not interfere.

How many connections classes will my child have? Middle school students will have 2 connections classes per semester. Band will be 1 of these 2 classes. This means that your child can take chorus if they wish! Band and chorus are the only connections classes that your child can CHOOSE to be in!

What are the financial obligations? Students will need an instrument. We highly recommend that students rent an instrument for their first year of playing. Our local music stores offer rental plans that are around $35 per month for the instrument and include a maintenance policy that will cover the instrument if it needs to be repaired throughout the year.

What instruments do you start on? Our 6th grade students start on one of the following 5 instruments: Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone. As the year progresses we audition students for Percussion, Oboe, Bassoon, Bass clarinet, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, French Horn, Euphonium, and Tuba.

We will have a "Join the Band" night at the school during the summer once the Shelter in Place restrictions are lifted. Instrument testing (placements) will occur during this time and students will be placed on the instrument that best suits them. In the end, we want to make sure that each student is placed on the instrument that they will be most successful at!

What else will my rising 6th grader need for band class? Our students will need a band method book, polo shirt, and a binder for class. We will send home information about these supplies at the beginning of the school year.

We love how active our band students are within the school. Our students participate in cheerleading, all sports, all clubs, and chorus. Band does NOT interfere with any of these other programs! Children NEED to be involved in something during their middle school years. Band is a fantastic program that helps students build and develop life skills that will serve them well through middle school, high school, and beyond.

Please think of this as an investment in your child's education. Music education opens up a whole new world of opportunities for your child that they will not experience in any other class or activity. Please do not let this opportunity pass your child by. 6th grade is the only grade that we offer beginning band in our county, therefore 6th grade is the ONLY time students are allowed to join band in Effingham County. We want EVERY 6th grade student to be a part of our program. ENCOURAGE your child to be a part of this program, students do not know what they like until they actually give it a try!

Kenza Murray, Director of Bands

kmurray@effingham.k12.ga.us

Created By
Kenza Murray
Appreciate

Credits:

Created with images by Wim van 't Einde - "The theme for the next meeting of our Photoclub is music. I took an old horn and put it on top of a Djembé." • Hal Gatewood - "Clarinet parts " • Rajesh Kavasseri - "7 PM, Christmas Eve 2017. Family night. Our kids played the flute for us. I wanted to capture the moment as the notes melted and blurred away into soft glow of the Christmas tree." • Hal Gatewood - "Trumpet hero shot."