"My child loves music."

"I wish I could just come to band all day."

"This is my favorite class."

These are quotes we hear quite often.  Thousands of students over the years have had similar experiences.  The Clear Lake Intermediate Band has quite a history here:

• Largest group activity in the school

• Consistent superior contest ratings

• Two-time TMEA CC Honor Band (state champion)

There are many other reasons to sign up for band at Clear Lake:

• Excellent friend base.  The best behaved kids in the school sign up for band.

• The #1 undergraduate major for students applying to medical school is music… Pre-Med. comes in second. 

• 96% of American astronauts studied the fine arts in school, including Neil Armstrong who played the euphonium!

Can you be in band if you don't know how to play an instrument or read music?

• Yes!  Each year around 95% of our beginner students cannot read music at the start of the year.  We teach them to read music starting at the most basic level.  It is very rare for a 6th grader to come to us who can already play an instrument.  In fact, we often go years without having one.  All students can join band regardless of their experience reading music or playing an instrument - they'll fit right in!

Can my child play sports and do band?

• Absolutely!  Many sports have no conflicts whatsoever with band.  For the ones that do pose some conflict in 7th and 8th grade, we work closely with the coaches to make sure every child can be in both activities.  Every sports team at the school has several band members in it. 

Can my child start band after 6th grade?

• Yes, but the chances of success are greatly diminished.  53% of our students who start band after 6th grade have quit the following year.  In the last 16 years, only one of them has continued into high school band.  The CCISD Fine Arts Elective Promotion document says that it is considered "best practice" to join band or other music electives in 6th grade.

What band activities happen outside of school in 6th grade?

• 6th grade band happens almost entirely during class.  We have two concerts: one in December and one in May.  There are some after-school activities prior to each concert.  Other than those and the fact that homework for band students is the practicing of their instrument, band has no required activities outside of school.  We do not do marching band at the intermediate level.

What are the important dates coming up for joining band?

• After signing up, you'll be contacted about dates for informational meetings and instrument selection.