Band | Leslie Thomas Band

Middle School Band

Our middle school band program is designed as a three-year journey that builds musical skills, confidence, creativity, and a strong sense of community. In Grade 6, students build a strong foundation of technical and ensemble skills in a structured yet engaging environment that sparks interest in continued participation. Grade 7 builds on these fundamentals, introducing more advanced musical concepts while encouraging creativity and personal expression. By Grade 8, students are challenged with complex repertoire, take on leadership roles, and develop the confidence and independence needed for high school music and beyond. This progressive and artistic approach ensures students leave middle school with strong musical skills and a lasting love for making music.

Musical Growth Process

Grade 6 Band – Building the Foundation; starting the process

Grade 6 Band is where it all begins. As the entry point into our band program, students develop the essential skills needed to succeed in later years. This includes:

Proper posture and hand position
Note reading and rhythm
Intonation, pitch, and ensemble balance
Listening and following the conductor
Teamwork and concert/rehearsal etiquette

Students also begin to build a growth mindset and take ownership of their learning. This foundational year sets students up for future success in Grade 7 & 8 Band, Jazz Band, Honour Band, and more.

Grade 7 Band – Strengthening Skills & Confidence; deepening the process

Grade 7 Band acts as a bridge between beginner and advanced playing. Students:

Reinforce key concepts learned in Grade 6
Explore more complex rhythms, dynamics, and articulation
Grow in musical expression, creativity, and independence

This is a critical year where students often decide whether to continue with band. Through engaging repertoire, student choice, and a welcoming community, we aim to help every student stay motivated and feel like a valued member of the group. Grade 7 also introduces early leadership opportunities and helps students envision their future roles in the band.

Grade 8 Band – Leadership and Mastery; owning the process

Grade 8 Band is the final chapter of the middle school band experience and a stepping stone to high school music. Students:

Refine their technique and ensemble performance skills
Tackle more challenging repertoire with confidence and musicality
Develop strong sight-reading and interpretation skills
Serve as mentors and role models for younger students

Grade 8 students often take on leadership roles, assist in sectionals, and help shape a positive band culture. Their achievements inspire younger students and raise the musical standard across the program.

Curriculum design model(s) that will be used

Bruner’s Spiral Model:

Sound before sight taught in consecutive years
Increases in complexity each year for spiral learning
Focus on problem-solving
Importance of reflection in learning process

Bloom’s Pyramid Model:

Top tiers (highest-order learning) activated
Improvising and creating original work
Metacognition!
Developing critical thinking skills
Critiquing and evaluating (Armstrong 2010)

Dewey’s Learn-by-doing Model:

Grounding student experience in real world experiences
Engaging with environment both in and out of school
Developing critical thinking skills
Learning as social process

McTighe & Wiggins’s Backward-design Model:

Start with the goal/outcome
Emphasis on problem-solving and critical thinking
Designed toward lifelong learning

Miller’s Whole-Child Model:

Connections
Self/community, body/mind, analysis/intuition
Connecting with prior learning
Transformational learning
Learning music as a mindful activity

Eisner's Artistic Approach: