Band

Middle School Band

Welcome to middle school band! We are excited to meet our new middle school scholars and families! Joining the band is a great opportunity to learn a life-long instrument and make new friends. Middle School Band instruction begins in sixth grade. In most cases, students are divided into "like-instrument" classes. Students practice performance skills and have several opportunities to perform in concerts and competitions. During the first year, students study: tone production, fingerings, rhythm, instrument care, basic musical terms.

While it is ideal to begin band instruction in grade 6, Beginning Band is open to all middle school students. After the first year, students are assigned to an appropriate performing band based on performance and skill level. These classes are full bands, which lets students build their ensemble skills by working as a team. Students continue developing their skills while performing in concerts, pep rallies, football games and UIL contests. Students are also encouraged to participate in individual events such as Solo & Ensemble Contest, TMEA All-State Band and All-District Band tryouts.

Middle School Band FAQ:

• How do I sign up for band? 

Incoming 5th grade students will sign up for band on their choice sheet. Once signed up for the class, the director will contact you for a fitting appointment where you can try out all of the instruments. If you are new to MISD, please talk with your child’s school counselor.

• Is there paperwork associated with being in band?

All MISD instrumental students will be required to fill out and instrument usage form and make arrangements to pay the usage fee. The non-refundable usage fee is to provide maintenance to the instruments. If a student rents their instrument from an outside vendor, the usage fee will be waived.

• Can I rent my own instrument?

Yes! Please talk with your band director about how to do this. 

• Can I participate in athletics and band in middle and high school?

Yes! Arrangements may be made for participation in both extracurricular activities. Every effort will be made to ensure scholars can participate in both.

High School Band & Color Guard

Marching Band

All high schools in MISD offer band and color guard. 

Scholars will play at football games, pep rallies, parades, and competitions throughout the fall season. Participation in marching band may fulfill physical education requirements toward graduation.  

Scholars wishing to participate in color guard will learn flag and performance fundamentals. Students will be expected to attend all football games and be a part of the marching show. Previous dance experience is not required for participation. 

Concert Band

All high schools participate in concert band in the spring semester. Scholars will develop their musical skills as an individual and as an ensemble. Students will participate in TMEA contests in addition to Solo and Ensemble. 

Jazz Band/Latin Ensemble

Jazz Band is offered for 7th/8th grade and high school students. Scholars will learn improvisation and the genre of jazz.

Elementary Music 

All Manor ISD Pre-K and Elementary campuses offer a robust and exciting Music curriculum to all students. Elementary Music helps students to grow in their enjoyment, appreciation, and performance of music through a variety of planned music experiences which include singing, moving to music, playing of instruments and listening to a variety of performances.

Choir

Welcome to choir! We want to encourage you to join choir if you are interested in making new friends, traveling, making music and most importantly SINGING

• Students in MISD are able to join choir in elementary school and participate in the MISD All-District Honor Choir.
• Secondary scholars are able to join choir beginning in 6th grade. Students in 7th grade and above are able to audition for TMEA Region Choir.
• High school choral scholars are able to not only audition for Region choir and if selected, can audition for the All-State choir process.
• Performance opportunities for choral scholars include community performances, school wide performances, contests and UIL Solo and Ensemble.

Guitar

Guitar is offered at Decker Middle School Fine Arts Academy and Manor High School/Manor Senior High School. Guitar students will learn guitar fundamentals, sight reading, and technique. MISD partners with Austin Classical Guitar which provides the curriculum through Guitarcurriculum.com.

Mariachi

Mariachi is offered at Manor Middle School and Manor High School/Manor Senior High School. This course explores Mariachi in Mexican musical culture. Students learn how to play instruments and sing, in addition to sight reading and improvisation.

Hip-Hop Dual Credit Level 1 Certificate

Hip-Hop for dual credit through Austin Community College is offered at Manor High School/Manor Senior High School. Students will learn the fundamentals of music production, hip-hop and music fundamentals. 

An application for Austin Community College must be filled out prior to enrolling the course. There is not a TSI requirement for the Hip Hop Level 1 Certificate. 

Year 1:

Musical Instrument Digital Interface

Theory for the Working Musician

Year 2:

Hip Hop Production I; Synthesis I

Hip Hop Production II; Synthesis II

Tuition and fees are waived for these courses if high school students have not used their allotment of college credits.