At Binns, we pride ourselves on providing not only an opportunity to make music, but a sound educational experience as well. All students must agree to our three-point philosophy in order to participate in our band program:
Any student who feels he/she cannot adhere to that philosophy needs to meet with Mr. Schimpf immediately to discuss switching to a different elective class.
Click on a link to find information on that band:
Beginning Band Silver Band Blackhawk Band Pep Band Jazz Band
Beginning Band: This band is made up of students who are just starting out on their instruments. The Beginning Band plays at least twice per year, in the Winter and Spring Concerts, and usually travels to Kings Dominion for the Kings Dominion Band and Orchestra Festival. Depending on various factors, the Beginning Band may combine with the Silver Band for some or all public performances. During the course of the year, Beginning Band members complete all of the Virginia SOLs for beginning band, as well as the local curriculum guide for beginning band. In combination with our Silver Band, the Beginning Band has received "Excellent" and "Superior" ratings at band festivals, as well as a Kings Dominion Sixth Grade Grand Champions trophy in 2006 and 2008.
Silver Band: This concert band is made up of sixth graders who are at an intermediate level on their instruments. The Silver Band performs at least three times a year, and may combine with other bands at times. There will be about 4 after-school rehearsals. The goal of the Silver Band is for individual students to mature as musicians to prepare for performance in the Blackhawk Band next year. During the course of the year, Silver Band members complete all of the Virginia SOLs for beginning band, many of the SOLs for intermediate band, the local curriculum guide for beginning band, and most of the objectives in the local curriculum guide for middle school band. In combination with our Beginning Band, the Silver Band has received "Excellent" and "Superior" ratings at band festivals, as well as a Kings Dominion Sixth Grade Grand Champions trophy in 2006 and 2008.
Blackhawk Band: Our advanced concert band is our most challenging ensemble and consists of seventh and eighth graders. Although this is our most advanced group, they are not able to meet at all during the school day and instead participate in smaller sectional classes. This provides a better educational experience but requires us to have after-school rehearsals to prepare for our performances and to learn important Virginia SOLs. The Blackhawk Band performs a great deal in their preparation for the rigorous experience of high school band. Besides winter and spring concerts at Binns, the Blackhawks travel to two band festivals each year and Eastern View High School for at least two concerts. By the end of eighth grade, Blackhawk Band students have covered all objectives in the local curriculum guide for middle school band and all Virginia Standards of Learning for Intermediate Instrumental Music. The Blackhawk Band has received numerous "Excellent" and "Superior" ratings at band festivals, including straight Superior ratings at the 2006 and 2007 Kings Dominion Band and Orchestra Festivals. The Blackhawk Band participates in Sight Reading Festival each March, which is essentially the SOL test for band. We have consistently received Excellent and Superior ratings, including Straight A ratings in 2007 (twice!) and 2009.
Pep Band: This band provides the national anthem, fight song, and a few other selections at athletic events. Pep Band is only open to Blackhawk Band members, and most Blackhawk Band members participate in Pep Band. We have several football games, basketball games, a wrestling match, and a basketball tournament in which we regularly participate. We also have been called upon for pep rallies and community events. The Pep Band's sole purpose is to serve Floyd T. Binns Middle School and Culpeper County by supporting its athletic and academic programs with music.
Jazz Band: Jazz band is a non-graded ensemble, meeting during “Enrichment” time. This group is open to all seventh and eighth grade students who already know how to play an instrument. Although some instruments are not traditionally thought of as jazz instruments, all instruments are accepted in our band. The jazz band performs classic and modern jazz as well as pop/rock music. The major focus of this ensemble is improvisation. Most jazz band students find this to be their favorite musical activity of the year and learn a great deal. The jazz band is frequently student-run, providing a wonderful leadership experience for the students involved.
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