Welcome to the Middle School Band Program

Welcome to the Lindbergh Schools Middle School Band Program. Brian Wyss, Director of Middle School Bands, is honored to work with the Lindbergh Band Staff instructing the 600+ middle school band students each year. Percussion students have the pleasure of working with Mr. Dan Arana. Woodwind students are taught by Mrs. Chelsea Silvermintz, Mr. Adam Spirk, and Mr. Jeremy McMahon. Brass players work with Mr. Alec Patton, Mrs. Kayla Rivera, and Mr. Brian Wyss. Additionally, the Lindbergh High School Director of Bands, Mr. David Wyss, also assists with our middle school band students. We take great pride in the fact the entire band staff works with each student throughout their middle school and high school years. On behalf of the directors, we are so excited your young musician is part of an incredible band program!

Band Directors

Our Philosophy - 6th, 7th and 8th Grade Concert Bands

The 6th, 7th, and 8th grade concert band classes meet daily at both Sperreng and Truman middle schools. We believe the decision for a young student to join band is one the most rewarding decisions of their life. Band goes well beyond notes and rhythms. While teaching music is the focus of the class, students learn and develop most from the behind the scenes work they do. When the newness of band wears off, self-discipline and responsibility become the pillars of music education. Despite any level of natural ability, hard work is inevitable. In a world where instant gratification becomes more prominent every day, mastering an instrument only comes with determination, practice, and time. Through this process we hope our students gain an appreciation for all types of music and a passion to perform. We also hope that above all, the students truly enjoy band and their band directors.

Extra-Curricular Groups and Activities

MS Jazz Ensemble

Jazz Ensemble is an auditioned group with standard jazz big band instrumentation. Auditions will take place near the beginning of September. Students rehearse at 6:45 on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings each week at Sperreng and hold sectionals other mornings and after school. Members of the Jazz Ensemble are required to participate in the Jazz Band on Tuesday mornings. During Jazz Band seasons, Jazz Ensemble will only meet on Thursday and Friday mornings. The rest of the year they will rehearse all three mornings each week. The MS Jazz Ensemble has traveled to various competitions around the Midwest where they have received high honors for many years. They also perform at district and community events during the school year when schedules permit.

MS Jazz Band

The middle school Jazz band will begin during the month of October and will be open to 7th or 8th grade students who play a standard jazz instrument. Standard jazz instrumentation includes trumpet, trombone, alto sax, tenor sax, baritone sax, piano, bass, vibes, guitar and drum set. Trumpet, trombone, and alto sax players must provide their own instrument. Piano, bass, vibes, guitar and drum set will be auditioned instruments. Those auditions will take place near the beginning of September along with the Jazz Ensemble auditions. The school owned bari sax and tenor sax will also be auditioned instruments. The jazz band meets October through December and March through May at 6:45 on Tuesday mornings. Rehearsals are held at Sperreng for both Sperreng and Truman Students. A shuttle bus is provided to take Truman students to school after rehearsal. The Jazz Band performs at the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade band concerts in December and the 7th and 8th grade band concert in May.

Drumline

Drumline is for percussion students who wish to learn the fundamentals of drumline technique and prepare drumline music for performances. This group holds auditions for 7th and 8th grade percussion students in December, and meets after school on Tuesdays in the TMS band room during second semester.

Summer Band

For many students, band starts in the summer before their sixth grade year. At Lindbergh, band members may participate in a voluntary summer band program. This four week session consists of concert band, jazz band, jazz improvisation, and beginning band. Nine teachers instruct nearly 400+ students in ninety-minute classes divided into brass, woodwind, and percussion. The camp culminates with a standing room only concert during the last week in the Lindbergh High School Auditorium.

MS Winter Color Guard

Color Guard is for students who wish to enhance music through the use of equipment and body movements and learn the fundamentals of flag spinning. This activity prepares students for the Lindbergh High School Spirit of St. Louis Marching Band's Color Guard. LHS Homecoming Color Guard (for 8th grade students only) meets in early September for only 5 practices after school at SMS. Winter Color Guard is open to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students, with auditions in October. The Winter Guard season runs from October through March, with practice after school 1-2 times per week and regional competitions each season.

Other Opportunities

Private Lessons

Private Lessons are when instructors, who usually specialize in an instrument or class of instruments, come in and work one-on-one with students to develop their instrumental technique, performance ability, and advanced skills such as notation, theory, improvisation, selecting music for solo and small ensemble, and auditioning.

Here at the middle school level we are fortunate enough to have some private instructors come within the school day so that students can take lessons within their band class, which eliminates the hassle of trying to find time outside of the school day. If the instructor’s schedule is full during the class period they may still be available for times outside of the school day. These private lessons are arranged between you and the private instructor and do cost money.

How do I know if my child is a good candidate for lessons?  

• If your child practices on a regular basis.
• If your child is looking for more of a challenge.
• If your child would like to audition for the St. Louis All-Suburban Band or participate in Solo/Small Ensemble Festival.
• If your child could potentially see using his/her instrument as a means to a college scholarship.
• Private lessons can be a way to help a student who is struggling with their instrument, but only if they are practicing.

If your student is interested in private lessons, please let a band director know and we will provide you with contact information for a recommended teacher.

St. Louis Suburban Middle School Concert and Jazz Bands

The St. Louis Suburban Middle School Concert Band and Jazz Band are comprised of the best middle school band students in the St. Louis area. All 7th and 8th grade students are encouraged to audition. At the high school level students must successfully audition into one of these groups to be eligible for the All-State Ensemble auditions. It is to our young musicians’ advantage to participate in as many auditions as possible before entering high school. It is an honor to make this group. We are proud of the students who have been selected in the past and look forward to having many of our students represent the Lindbergh District in the future.

Solo and Small Ensemble

Solo and small ensemble is one of the most valuable performance opportunities offered to young musicians. This gives any student or group of students a chance to choose their own piece of music to perform and be critiqued and rated by very experienced adjudicators. We highly recommend that your 7th or 8th grade student participates in this important event. This is another event that includes an All-State level festival in high school. This festival takes place at Holman Middle School in the Pattonville School District.