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The Waller ISD Band program is designed to provide opportunities for each student to develop his/her creative talents in a number of ways.
   The Band program begins in the sixth grade where members of the program are enrolled in classes of similar instruments. These classes meet daily and focus on establishing and developing basic musical and performance skills. The classes combine on two or more occasions during the year to present concerts for the parents and public, usually during December and May.
   In the seventh and eighth grades, students are provided with their first opportunity to be a member of a full band. The seventh and eighth grade bands perform several concerts during the year, including performances for the UIL Concert and Sight-reading contest and the Blinn College Invitational Concert Contest. Students may elect to participate in solo and ensemble contests or All-Region and Honor Bands in order to further their individual musicianship. Rehearsal outside the school day is usually limited to one sectional each week and one or two special pre-contest rehearsals with guest clinicians.
   In the ninth through twelfth grades, Waller High School band students are introduced to the marching band with extra after-school rehearsals, football games, and marching contests that are an important part of the marching season.
   Band is a "performing arts" class. The purpose of band class is to increase understanding and appreciation of music through ensemble performance. As with English, math, science, and history classes, band classes are part of the basic curriculum in Texas secondary schools. Performing arts classes are unique in that public performances are essential to the learning process, and these classes require time for public performance. In addition, in performing arts classes, each individual is depended on and dependent upon every other individual in the class. Everyone is affected when one person is absent. Each person is important and any rehearsal or performance is diminished in quality when a person is missing.
  Extra-curricular is the designation for an activity that is not part of the basic curriculum. There are some band events that are extra curricular, but the majority of band is curricular. And in order to fulfill class requirements, students must attend performances scheduled outside of class time.
  Band classes are offered in different ability levels in order to best meet the needs of individual student development. The degree of musicianship and technical skill of the individuals in an ensemble determine the music the ensemble is able to play. An evaluation of basic knowledge, tone, rehearsal skills, musicianship, and technical skill determine class (band) placement.
   Each class has similar goals and criteria, but each utilizes music and exercises that best suit the level of musical skills in that class. Only the best literature will be used - at a difficulty level that will challenge the ensemble, but will not sacrifice quality in rehearsals or performances. The emphasis is on serious band literature through solo, small ensemble and full band performances. Concerts, festivals, and contests provide platforms for this caliber of performance.
   Jazz Bands are offered at both Waller High School and Waller Junior High School as after school programs. Both groups enter selected competitions and give several performances during the year.
   For further information, please contact any of the band directors at the following school band halls:
   Waller High School - (936) 372-4080;  Waller Junior High - (936) 372-4027 ext. 1107;  Schultz Middle School - (936) 372-4281 ext. 3309