The purpose of the Band Program at Lakewood Christian Schools is to teach students how to glorify God through music and instruments.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Psalm 150:6
Elementary Band
The Elementary Band program is open to 4th-5th grade students. There is no prior experience needed to join the band program, so everyone can participate! There are three levels of band: Beginning, Advanced, and Jazz Band. Each student in the Elementary Band program is given a private lesson one day per week on the instrument of their choice, allowing all students to learn at their own pace and helping them to succeed. In all three levels of band students perform at school events as well as participate in the ACSI Band Festival.
Beginning Band is for any student who wants to play an instrument but has no prior music experience. Students not only learn to play their instruments, but they also learn to read music, count simple rhythms and recognize note names. Students who start in Beginning Band in September are ready to play their first concert by Christmas!
Advanced Band is open to any student who has been playing an instrument for at least one year. In this group students learn to play more complicated music and have the opportunity to audition for Honor Band in addition to their concerts and festivals.
Jazz Band is an audition-only group open to all Advanced Band students. Here they are introduced to two different jazz styles: rock and swing. They also are taught to solo on their instruments and learn how to write their own improvised solos.
Middle School Band
The Middle School Band program is open to 6th-8th grade students who have at least one year of experience playing their instruments. In this class, students grow in their knowledge of their instruments and music reading skills, and to teach them how to use their gifts to glorify God. This class also helps to prepare them for high school band programs.
Middle School Band is taught as an elective class and meets one period a day during the school day. Students learn two types of music in this class: Concert Band and Jazz Band music. This is a performing class and they give between 15-20 performances during the school year. They perform at school events, compete in the ACSI Music Festival and participate in Jazz Band festivals. In addition, students have the opportunity to audition for different Honor Bands specific to their grade levels.
In this class students are taught not only to work together as a group, but to develop their gifts outside the classroom. Students in this group are able and encouraged to begin playing in outside ministries including church worship teams and nursing home ministries.