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Welcome to the Benton Middle School Band!
The Benton Middle School Band is one of the largest instrumental music programs in Virginia with over 450 members. Although it is large, we value each member and hope that the education that the students receive will benefit them as they progress into high school and beyond. Band students have a heightened understanding of individual accountability, teamwork, and the process of achieving set goals. In addition, students who study music become more informed members of society who can appreciate the arts and the value of arts education. Statistically, students who stick with music score significantly higher on standardized testing and college admittance. Band students are a great group of children for your child to be around. At Benton Middle, we encourage student athletes to be involved with music and work together to share the time of these talented kids that attend our school. Plus, band class at Benton is a lot of fun!!!
At Benton Middle, we want no child to miss out on the band experience. If there is a legitimate financial hardship in your family, please let us know and we will do everything possible to see that your child can participate.
The band classes at Benton are taught by Mr. James Pratte and Ms. Sharon Still. Both of these instructors enjoy both the musical and non-musical aspects of teaching band. We strive to develop rapport with each individual student because they are all unique and important youngsters. Ms. Still is a brass instrument expert while Mr. Pratte specializes in woodwind and percussion instruments. Between the two instructors, there is over 40 years experience teaching band at the elementary, middle, and high school level. We are both here to answer your questions. Please know that all inquiries are all important but it may take a day or two depending on our schedule.
There are currently five levels of band at Benton Middle. These levels are: 6th grade Beginning Band, 7th grade Cadet Band, 7th grade Concert Band, 8th grade Symphonic Band, and 8th grade Wind Symphony. There is also an extra-curricular Jazz Band which is open to 7th and 8th grade band students.
Sixth graders are all scheduled in a Beginning Band class and it is designed for students with no prior experience. Students who have played in band prior to their sixth grade year will be leaders in their band class or choose to switch to a new instrument for their sixth grade year. Sixth grade band meets every other day on a ‘Purple’ and ‘Gold’ schedule with one after-school rehearsal in the spring. Students will have the opportunity to be selected for the ‘All-Star’ 6th grade Band which requires after school rehearsals in the winter. (More about this opportunity is included below.)
Seventh graders are split into two groups based on an audition at the end of their sixth grade year. Cadet Band is for intermediate players and Concert Band is for advanced players. Seventh grade band meets every other day on a ‘Purple’ and ‘Gold’ schedule and has a few after school rehearsals.
Eighth graders are split into two groups based on an audition at the end of their seventh grade year. Symphonic Band is for intermediate players and Wind Symphony is for advanced players. Both bands are subject to after school rehearsals when called upon.
Students who are new to Benton Middle should contact Mr. Pratte to schedule an audition for proper placement in the seventh and eighth grade band classes.
Band students will be assessed and graded individually. This will require them to perform musical exercises for their teachers (prior notice is given,) participate in class (bring materials on a daily basis,) and complete any other written assignments or projects assigned depending on the grade level. A further explanation of the grading guidelines is featured in the class syllabus.
Benton band students’ goal is to become functional on their chosen instrument and give great performances to showcase the hard work that is going on in band class (and at home.) Therefore scheduled performances are required and we highly encourage family members to attend as well. Our goal as instructors is to make the performances enjoyable for the spectators and instill pride in both the student and family members. We are confident that you will enjoy what you see and hear.
The most important performance of the year is the annual ‘Band Festival’ which is held in early March. This performance is equivalent to the S.O.L. test that is administered in other subject areas and past results are viewable at VBODA.ORG. (Archives – past Festival results.) All seventh and eighth grade band students perform at this event and the sixth grade ‘All-Star’ Band performs as well.
The Sixth Grade ‘All-Star’ Band is made of students who have shown great promise and potential in band class during the first semester and are willing to commit to attending a series of after-school rehearsals in the winter of their sixth grade year. Students will be given an invitation letter in mid-December that are selected for this group. (This opportunity began in the 2008-09 school year when Ms. Sharon Still was added to the teaching staff.)
Students in seventh and eighth grade band are able to audition for the All-District and All-County Bands which are great opportunities to enhance their instruction. These events meet for two days (Friday and Saturday) and then give a concert. They are able to do this because they are the ‘best of the best’ and proudly represent their school. In eighth grade, successfully auditioning for these events (50 points or above) will meet their project requirement for the grading period. More information about these events is located in the class syllabus.
Students in seventh and eighth grade band are required to participate in the ‘Solo and Ensemble Festival’ which is held annually at Benton. This event is similar to the Band Festival but the students are assessed in an individual manner. Ms. Still and Mr. Pratte will guide the students in class to help select the music and prepare for the event. Students earn an award trophy by achieving a ‘Superior’ or ‘Excellent’ rating. Beginner band students are also allowed to participate if they are taking private lessons or receive special permission by the band directors.
The Jazz Band is an extracurricular group which meets on Mondays after school from 3:00-4:30. It is one of the many after-school club opportunities that Benton Middle offers. Students who play saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano, guitar, bass, vibraphone, or drums with at least one year of experience are eligible to join. Regular attendance is required to maintain membership. There is a fundraising requirement to be a part of jazz band. Students who do not play the aforementioned instruments are encouraged to join by learning a second instrument. The Jazz Band and Jazz Ensemble (advanced smaller group formed in the spring made up of its most advanced members) are performers in the spring King’s Dominion Trip/Festival.
The Spring King’s Dominion Trip/Festival is an event designed to reward eighth grade band students for their hard work in middle school band. Some seventh graders are also in attendance if they are members of our performing Jazz Band or Jazz Ensemble in good standing. This trip usually occurs in late May or early June. It includes a performance which is judged (similar to Band Festival) followed by a fun day at the amusement park. Students with poor work habits or behavior, although rare, may be excluded from this trip on an individual basis. Parent chaperones are vital to this venture and consistently enjoy being a part of the experience. It is a fun day for both students and teachers!
There are multiple fundraising efforts each year to give the Benton Middle Band and students the equipment and opportunities that they need. Ms. Leibert and the administration at Benton Middle have been generous with their budgetary offerings and the musical results speak for themselves. However, with the increasingly bleak economy the financial contributions of band families are becoming more vital to keep up with the large and continuously growing band program. We appreciate your participation in fundraisers both by purchasing items and volunteering your time to assist with logistical aspects. If at any time you would like to make a monetary donation to the band, please send in a check payable to Benton Middle School and we will see that the funds are directed to the band account.
Parent volunteers are the lifeblood of the Benton Band program. We would not be where we are today without the support of our wonderful band community. There are parents that offer their time once or on a regular basis. From year to year, Benton is called upon to host events that require parent involvement and from our experience the parents have always come through. In addition, parent involvement has been crucial to increase the individual accountability and attendance at band events throughout the history of the Benton Middle bands. We cannot do it without you. Thank you for all that you have done and please know we are thankful for all of the support you have given the children and the band program. Your efforts yield success for years to come.
Private lessons are a highly recommended activity for your child. They are beneficial for both a struggling band student as well as a gifted student who needs more than what the band class can offer. If we can be of assistance to recommend a qualified private instructor, please contact us. Private lessons are a great way to increase your child’s chances of success at All-County and All-District Bands as well as placement in the Benton Middle Advanced 7th and 8th grade Bands.
The Prince William County Summer Band Camps are great way to keep your children involved over the summer and are also a lot of fun! Benton Middle has hosted this county wide camp for five of the last six years. In 2009 it will take place at Benton Middle from July 13-17 (Concert Band.) and July 20-24 (Jazz Band.) Please visit PWCMUSICCAMP.ORG for more details. Students with one or more years of experience can attend and elementary school students who have already played for a year are more than welcome!
It is an honor to work with your children at Benton Middle and we love what we do. If at any time we can be of assistance, please contact us at the following email addresses. Mr. Pratte – PRATTEJB@PWCS.EDU Ms. Still – STILLSM@PWCS.EDU
