Beginning Band
Beginning band is offered to all 6th grade students at Buchanan. A student does not need prior experience with a musical instrument to join band, though students who have prior experience with an instrument have noticed significant carry-over with certain skills. When a student signs up for band in sixth grade, they are given the opportunity to try several instruments at first, then are fit for the instrument that best suits them and we believe they will have the most success on. Band is a one-year commitment--we ask that students who sign up recognize this commitment and that they try their best for the whole year on the instrument they were fit for. Learning anything new is hard work, but if you try hard and keep an open mind, it can be fun and rewarding too! Sixth grade band students participate in two concerts each year: the Holiday Concert in December, and the Spring Collage Concert in May.
7th Grade Band
Students who wish to continue their musical education beyond sixth grade may sign up for 7th grade band. In 7th grade, we continue to build on the skills and techniques that students learned in 6th grade and apply them to more difficult music. As students grow more mature as musicians and individuals, they are given more responsibility in the form of additional performances. 7th grade students perform in three concerts per year: the Holiday Concert in December, the Pre-Festival Concert in February, and the Spring Collage Concert in May. Additionally, 7th grade band students travel to District MSBOA Band and Orchestra Festival, where they represent our school as they perform three pieces of music and sight-read for a panel of judges. Students in this class also have the opportunity to travel to MSBOA Solo & Ensemble Festival to perform individually or in a small group for a judge who specializes in their instrument.
8th Grade Band
Students who wish to continue their musical education beyond seventh grade may sign up for eighth grade band. In 8th grade, we continue to build on the skills and techniques that students learned in 7th grade and apply them to more difficult music. As students grow more mature as musicians and individuals, they are given more responsibility in the form of additional performances. 8th grade students perform in three concerts per year: the Holiday Concert in December, the Pre-Festival Concert in February, and the Spring Collage Concert in May. Additionally, 8th grade band students travel to District MSBOA Band and Orchestra Festival, where they represent our school as they perform three pieces of music and sight-read for a panel of judges. Students in this class also have the opportunity to travel to MSBOA Solo & Ensemble Festival to perform individually or in a small group for a judge who specializes in their instrument. 8th Grade students also have the opportunity to perform with the high school marching band during Homecoming, and have the option of signing up for the Jazz Band in the Spring.
High School Band
Students who continue their music education into their high school years will be exposed to a diverse selection of musical repertoire that will challenge not only their technique and musicianship, but will open their ears to the sounds, experiences, and stories that echo their own. Students will study music from a variety of cultures and traditions, as well as music that celebrates our own history. Students will be challenged to be thoughtful, reflective, and responsive in regard to their music making. Furthermore, students will be challenged to be a leader, whether or not they are given a title. In addition to the three annual concerts per year, all high school band students participate in the Buchanan High School Marching Band. This ensemble represents the community with pride at all major town events and parades, as well as District MSBOA Marching Band Festival, the Lakeshore Marching Band invitational, and in MCBA Marching Band Competitions across the state. Since we began competing in 2017, Buchanan is proud to have qualified every year for MCBA State Finals at Ford Field in Detroit, MI. High School Band students are also given the opportunity to participate in District Solo & Ensemble Festival, and if they qualify they may go on to perform at the State level. Students are also given several opportunities each year to expand their musical knowledge and experience by auditioning for various honor bands and community ensembles across southwestern Michigan.