The Beginning Band at Paragould consists of 7th grade students who are entering Paragould Jr. High School. Students who are in the 8th grade and want to join band are welcome to do so and will study with the 7th grade group.

Membership is open to all incoming students. Generally, approximately 170+ students sign up for Beginning Band every year, which represents over 80% of the 7th grade class! Beginning Band consists of learning music reading skills, good techniques of breathing, posture, tone production, and technical facility. Each student learns in a structured environment that stresses hard work and rewards success. The directors believe that the continuous study of band will make a lifelong impact on the benefit of your child and Beginning Band is the first step of that journey.

There are 3 main sections of Beginning Band:

Woodwinds - Flute (7th Period), Clarinet (2nd Period), and Saxophone (1st Period)

Percussion - Meets during Jr. High 1st period

Brass - Trumpet (2nd Period), Horn (3rd Period), Trombone (2nd Period), Baritone (1st Period), and Tuba (1st Period).

Each prospective student is given a test over pitch, melody, and rhythm. These tests help to determine what instrument may be best suitable for each individual. Students who want to play in the percussion section are given extensive rhythm and coordination tests, with typically only 10 - 15 being selected. Students are encouraged to play the horn that they want to play the most, but early success is vital to their confidence.

The Beginning Band has 3 public performances a year; Mass Band Day, Christmas Concert and Spring Concert.

The Paragould Intermediate Band consists of all 8th graders. The group has 5 major performances each year: Mass Band Night, Christmas Concert, Pre-Assessment Concert, Concert Assessment, and Spring Concert. The Intermediate Band also plays at football games and various pep-rallies and school spirit functions. The Intermediate Band meet everyday during Jr. High 8th period. During the months of Jan-March the group meet after school once a week as well as other extra rehearsals with invited guest clinicians. This class is a prerequisite for the High School Band. Students are expected to perform music at the grade II or III level, audition for All-Region Band, and take private lessons on their band instrument. All Intermediate Band students audition for the Sr. High Symphonic & Concert Bands in March each year. They then perform at the Recruitment Concert, Spring Concert, & PHS Graduation.

Junior high students are also encouraged to attend Dixie Band Camp, usually the 3rd or 4th week of June. More info can be found at www.dixiebandcamp.net