Herndon Middle School offers a number of instrumental ensembles for students of all abilities and skills.

Training Band

This course is open to all students.  The instructor will provide guidance to students in the selection of a brass or woodwind instrument if the student does not already play one.  No beginning instruction on percussion is offered.  The class is designed to promote the development of music fundamentals and to balance instrumentation.  This band will play at the VBODA grade 2 level and will perform twice during the year at Herndon MS.
 

Percussion Ensemble (intermediate level)

This class is designed for 7th grade percussion students. Snare drum, bass drum, timpani and bells will be the main emphasis in this class. Students will also be introduced to various rhythm instruments. There will be limited performance opportunities. Students in this class are required to have a bell kit in class daily. Students must have a full year of formal band percussion experience from 6th grade (or longer). This is NOT a beginning class!  
 

Cadet Band (intermediate level)

Cadet Band is an intermediate level ensemble comprised primarily of students in the 7th grade. These students usually have one or two years of playing experience. This band performs concert literature at the VBODA grade 2 level. This class is designed to promote the continued development of music fundamentals and to balance instrumentation. Performances will occur twice during the year at
Herndon MS.
 

Concert Band (intermediate level)

Concert Band is an intermediate level ensemble comprised of students in the 7th and 8th grades. Students in this class generally have developed technique well beyond the average elementary student by the beginning of the year. This band performs concert literature at the VBODA grade 3 level. This is a full band and is the second major performing group here at HMS. Students in this group are required to attend after-school rehearsals several times per year. Concert Band performs at all HMS concerts, at festival, and on the spring competition.
 

Symphonic Band (advanced level)

The Symphonic Band is the premiere performance ensemble in the Herndon Middle band program. Historically, more than 75% of the members in this band have studied privately for more than a year and have attended summer music camps and clinics. This class is almost exclusively made up of eighth grade students, but five to ten seventh grade students are usually selected for this ensemble. Placement in this band is strictly by audition! Students will be expected to be able to play very advanced music (VBODA grade 4 and 5 level) and perform frequently throughout the year. Students in this group are required to attend after-school rehearsals several times per year. First chair players are required to audition for All-District Band. Symphonic Band performs at all HMS concerts, at festival, the Pyramid Concert, and on the spring competition.