Membership is open to any sixth grade student who wishes to participate in this elective course.  Instruction is offered for wind and percussion instruments.  Attention is focused on introductory music fundamentals, technical achievement, musical understanding and acquisition of performance skills through exposure to a variety of literature.  Students may begin in either Summer Band classes or in September at school.  The Sixth Grade Band will perform concerts in December and May.  A few after-school rehearsals may be scheduled in order to combine students prior to each concert.  The classroom goal for each student is to complete the Virginia Beach Public Schools Band Proficiency Levels A and B.

6th Grade Intermediate Band

Membership is open to any sixth grade student who completed the summer band course or who already has previous experience with his/her band instrument, with the approval of the band director.  Instruction is offered for wind and percussion instruments.  Students do not start at the introductory level, but continue with a focus on music fundamentals, technical achievement, musical understanding, and acquisition of performance skills through exposure to a variety of literature.  The Sixth Grade Band will perform concerts in December and May.  A few after-school rehearsals may be scheduled in order to combine students prior to each concert.  The classroom goal for each student is to complete the Virginia Beach Public Schools Band Proficiency Levels A and B.   

7th Grade Beginning Band

Membership is open to any seventh grade student who wishes to participate in this elective course.  Instruction is offered for wind and percussion instruments. Attention is focused on introductory music fundamentals, technical achievement, musical understanding and acquisition of performance skills through exposure to a variety of literature.  Students may begin in either Summer Band classes or in September at school.  The Seventh Grade Beginning Band will perform concerts in December and May.  A few after-school rehearsals may be scheduled in order to combine students prior to each concert.  The classroom goal for each student is to complete the Virginia Beach Public Schools Band Proficiency Levels A and B.

7th Grade Intermediate Band

Membership is open to seventh grade students who have at least, one-year experience or with director approval, and/or  have completed the summer band program.  The course is a continuation of the technical training started in the sixth grade.  The student will be exposed to a wide variety of literature and will be expected to complete a minimum of Proficiency Level C by the end of the school year.  The Seventh Grade Band will perform concerts in December and May.  Some of the advanced students from this group may be invited to participate with the Eighth Grade Band at the District Band Festival.  A few after-school rehearsals may be scheduled in order to combine classes.  

8th Concert Grade Band

Membership is based on ability, interest, experience, audition, and director's approval.  Students should have completed Proficiency Level C; beginners are not eligible to participate.  Students will be exposed to a wide variety of literature to include significant historical and contemporary music.  Emphasis is placed on achieving a high degree of artistic performance, both as an individual, and as an ensemble.  Students will perform concerts in December, February, March and May, including the adjudicated District Band Festival in March.  There may also be performances for area elementary feeder schools during the year.  After-school sectionals and full rehearsals are required, and will begin in the fall.  Students are expected to complete Proficiency Level D by the end of the year.