Welcome to the White Deer 4^th (Recorders), 5^th, 6^th, 7^th, and High School Bands and what is looking to be a very exciting year. Last year was a very successful year for the all the bands and we hope to build on that success. The  Buck Band is a colorful, visible, and highly disciplined segment of White Deer ISD. The main emphasis of the band program is on musicianship and pride of accomplishment, followed closely by citizenship, tradition, morale, spirit and loyalty. It is possible by setting your schedule in a reasonable manner and maintaining a high degree of self-discipline and self- responsibility to have a highly successful band career and still maintain high scholastic standing. Band members are held by the band director and the community to a very high standard. Students who successfully complete their high school band careers can go on to be members of university bands across the United States. Successful band students can be found in any and all careers including doctors, lawyers, actors, professional athletes, and President of the United States. You can find additional information for each class by strolling down the page and by checking the 'classroom news' icon on the left side of this page. Please feel free to contact me at any time if you have any questions or concerns about the White Deer Band. The best way is via e-mail ray.bell@region16.net or by calling the high school office. Please do not leave me a message on my voice mail as I seldom check it. 

                          SCHEDULE

April 17 Thursday UIL HS Band Concert/SR Contest @ Boys Ranch  

April 23 Wednesday UIL JH Band Concert/SR Contest @ Canyon ISD

May 2-4 High School Band Trip to Dallas

May 10 Saturday *Abernathy Band Festival Abernathy, TX - 5th, 6th, & 7th Grade Bands

May 15 Thursday Spring Band Concert 7:00 PM

May 24 & 26 Saturday & Monday *State Solo Ensemble Contest in San Marcos

Band Rules

1.    No food, drink, or gum in the Band Hall

2.    Bring all of your equipment to band. This includes; instrument, music, and pencil.

3.    Do not talk when the Director is on the podium or rehearsing the band.

4.    Put away all instruments and equipment after each band class.

Grading Policy

1.    Daily Grades are 35% of your 6 week grades. Each day is worth 20 points and each week is worth 100 points.

2.    Performance Grades are worth 35% of your 6-week grade. Students are expected to attend all preformances and extra rehearsals.

3. Tests are worth 30% of your 6-week grade.

Class Schedule

1^st period: Elementary Conference - Elem. Music Room

2^nd period: 5^th Grade Band - Elem. Music Room

3^rd period: 4^th Grade Recorders Class - Elem. Music Room

4^th period: HS Conference - Band Hall

5^th period: Lunch

6^th period: High School Band - Band Hall

7^th period: 6th Grade Band - Band Hall

8^th period: 7^th Grade Band - Band Hall

4^th Grade Recorder Class

Students in recorder class will perform two concerts a year. A Winter Concert and a Spring Concert. This year the Winter Concert is on Sunday, Dec. 16 2007 at 2:00 PM  and the Spring Concert will be held on Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 7:00 PM. All concerts will be held in the High School Auditorium. Students are expected to dress appropriately. This means that boys should wear slacks, dress shoes, and dress shirt. Girls need to wear dresses, skirts, or nice slacks. The school will provide a recorder and book for each student. However, if a student loses a book or a recorder you must pay to have that recorder replaced. You will also need to turn in your recorder at the end of the school year.  

5^th Grade Beginning Band

All students in the Fifth Grade are required to participate in Beginning Band. Students will, during the first six weeks, be given information about the different band instruments, will be allowed to test each instrument, and will be given a written and playing  test to discover their natural ability. The Band Director will also analyze each student and recommend the proper instrument for that student. Any changes to that recommendation will have to be approved by both the band director and the parent. The school will provide you an instrument, if needed,  however you are encouraged to provide your own instrument. I encourage you to rent your instrument if possible. I will provide more information to you about this before we start playing the instruments. The school will furnish the band method book, any additional music, reeds, oil, and grease for the instruments. Clarinets will be given 6 reeds every other six week period. If you need more reeds you will have to pay for them. The school will also make normal repairs to these instruments. However, you will be responsible for paying the repair bill for any repair due to neglect. The 5^th Grade Band will perform at the Winter Concert (Dec. 16 @2:00 PM) and the Spring Concert(May 15 @ 7:00 PM). They will  also participate in the Abernathy Band Festival. More information will be posted on this web site prior to the event. The 5th Grade Band continues to make great progress in our band method book. They need to be encouraged to take their instrument home and practice as often as possible. 15 to 20 minutes per day will allow them to make even faster progress.

6^th Grade Cadet Band

Band is an elective class in the 6^th Grade although we encourage all students to continue to be a part of the Buck Band program. The school will provide you an instrument, if needed,  however  you are encouraged to provide your own instrument. I encourage you to rent your instrument if possible. I will provide more information to you about this before we start playing the instruments. The school will furnish the band method book, any additional music, reeds, oil, and grease for the instruments. Clarinets will be given 6 reeds every other six week period. If you need more reeds you will have to pay for them. The school will also make normal repairs to these instruments. However, you will be responsible for paying the repair bill for any repair due to neglect. The 6^th Grade Band will perform at the Winter Concert (Dec. 16 @ 2:00 PM) and the Spring Concert (May 15 @ 7:00 PM). They will  also participate in the Abernathy Band Festival. 6^th Grade Band members are encouraged to participate in auditions for All-Region JH Band and the UIL JH solo/ensemble contest. Check the schedule for the dates for these events. More information will be posted on this web site prior to the event.

7^th Grade Concert Band

Band is an elective class in the 7^th Grade although we encourage all students to continue to be a part of the Buck Band program. The school will provide you an instrument, if needed,  however  you are encouraged to provide your own instrument. I encourage you to rent your instrument if possible. I will provide more information to you about this before we start playing the instruments. The school will furnish the band method book, any additional music, reeds, oil, and grease for the instruments. Clarinets will be given 6 reeds every other six week period. If you need more reeds you will have to pay for them. The school will also make normal repairs to these instruments. However, you will be responsible for paying the repair bill for any repair due to neglect. The 7^th Grade Band will perform at the Winter Concert (Dec. 16 @ 2:00 PM) and the Spring Concert (May 15 @ 7:00 PM). They will  also participate in the Abernathy Band Festival.

Congratulations to Brittany Barrow, Elaine Craig, and Kelsey Estes who were selected as members of the All-Region Band.   

High School Band

The Buck Band had a very successful marching season. After getting straight I's at UIL Regional Contest for the 2nd consecutive year the Band advanced to Area Marching Contest. This may have been the first time ever for the band to qualify for Area. The competition at Area was fantastic. We performed well but were ranked 18th out of 22 Class A Bands. The band had hopes of making the top 10 but that wasn't in the cards for this year. This sets a great benchmark for future Buck Bands to try to beat! The HS Band is currently preparing for UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contest which will be held April 17th at Boys Ranch.

Congratulations to Channer Clendennen and Dakota Wilson who were selected as members of the All-Region Band.

Thanks to the Buck Football team for a GREAT Season.