The Argyle Band Program
The band program in Argyle has approximately 350 students participating from grades 6 – 12. At Argyle, band begins in the sixth grade and is team taught by both the middle school and high school directors. In beginning band, each student receives daily instruction in homogeneous classes. Careful attention is given to tone production, music theory, rhythmic concepts, and basic music reading skills. Beginning band students perform three times during the school year. In December, all beginner classes are combined in a fully instrumentated band to rehearse for their first concert. In the spring, the beginners combine to play at a local festival and finally to perform at the annual Spring Concert. In addition to group performance, the beginners are given opportunities to perform as soloists and in small ensembles at the Argyle Beginner Solo and Ensemble Festival. At the end of their beginning year, these students, along with the second year students, are evaluated and placed on one of the two ability based concert bands.
Based on their evaluation, middle school students are placed in the White Band or the Red Band. Students in these bands participate in the All-Region Band auditions, perform at the Fall, Winter, and Spring Concerts, participate in a solo and ensemble festival, University Interscholastic League Concert and Sight-reading Contest, and a spring concert band festival. Students in the middle school performing ensembles are provided the opportunity to increase their individual musical skills, knowledge, and proficiency through scheduled sectionals and have the opportunity to study privately with teachers selected by the directors.
The University of North Texas is a vital resource for the selection of these fine instructors. The Argyle White and Red Bands consistently earn Superior ratings at the UIL Concert and Sight-reading Contest. The Argyle Middle School Band earned the distinction of being the Class C Texas State Honor Band in 2005 and has been awarded honors by the Association of Small School Bands Outstanding Performance Series. Once in high school, students are combined in the fall for the 100+ member marching band. Argyle High School is the UIL 2008 Class 3A State Marching Band Champion, a 2006 3A State Marching Band Finalist and the 2003 and 2005 2A State Marching Band Champion. In the spring, the marching band is divided into two ability based concert bands.