Band

Join our band program

Find all you need to know about picking an instrument and preparing for fall 2023 on the district website Band page.

We look forward to having your student in our music programs for the 2023-24 school year.

Band Calendar

Access our Band Calendar to keep up-to-date on events.

To promote and foster a stand of excellence in music making through interactive and innovative practices by developing cultural awareness, positive social interaction, and leadership skills in an ever changing globalized society.

Join the O'Banion band program

We are so glad you visited our page and we are even more excited to have you join the OMS BAND family! No matter what your background is, we have a place for your child in the O'Banion Band program. Although students entering the 6th grade generally make up our Beginning Band, we also welcome incoming 7th & 8th grade beginning band students! Once we decide on the instrument that fits your child the best, we will communicate the schedule need with our wonderful counselors.

Fun facts about our band program

We are the 3rd largest and the fastest growing band in the district. We offer band classes for Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, Saxophone, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, and Percussion. Our band students consistently receive Superior ratings at Solo & Ensemble Contest, compete and win spots in the GISD All-District Band and the All-Region Band, successfully perform at UIL Concert & Sight Reading Evaluation, bring home Superior Ratings from select contests in the DFW area.

This year we are taking trips to watch professional bands perform, and to NRH2O water park. We have also taken trip to Six Flags.

We also have several performances: our bands perform at OB football and volleyball games, have Fall, Winter, Spring, and End of the Year Concerts, and sometimes just for fun in different locations all over the school.

Types of band offered at O'Banion MS

Beginner Band

The beginning band program at O'Banion Middle School is unique and serves as the foundation for the entire band program. Composed of mostly 6th graders, the beginning band meets as homogeneous classes. We offer flute, clarinet saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, baritone, tuba, and percussion. Each class is structured to teach every student the fundamental music skills required to be successful on their instrument and prepare for 7th and 8th grade band. It is highly encouraged to sign up for private lessons starting in the beginner band! During the school year, the beginner band will perform for various concerts throughout the year, the YESE Solo & Ensemble competition, and the NRH2O Music Festival in the Spring.

Concert Band

Concert band emphasizes the development of individual and full-band performance skills in preparation for concerts. The band is a full ensemble where students learn basic fundamentals, increase music ability and range, and prepare students for Honors, Symphonic, or high school band. Individual growth and achievement are encouraged through private lessons and individual practice time. All students will participate in all concerts, can perform in the YESE Solo & Ensemble competition, and the NRH2O Music Festival.

Honors Band

This advanced-level band class emphasizes the development of full-band performance skills in preparation for concerts and UIL contest. The band is a full ensemble and continues to develop solid fundamentals, increase music ability and range, and prepare students for high school band. Individual growth and achievement are encouraged through private lessons, various performances and competitive audition opportunities, such as various concerts throughout the year, All-District and All-Region try-outs and concerts, the YESE Solo & Ensemble competition, and the NRH2O Music Festival in the Spring.

Symphonic Band

This intermediate-level band class emphasizes the development of full-band performance skills in preparation for concerts and UIL contest. The band is a full ensemble where students continue to reinforce basic fundamentals, increase music ability and range, and prepare students for high school band or Honor Band. Individual growth and achievement are encouraged through private lessons, various performance opportunities and competitive audition opportunities, such as various concerts throughout the year, All-District and All-Region try-outs and concerts, the YESE Solo & Ensemble competition, and the NRH2O Music Festival in the Spring.

Audition music for 6th & 7th graders

High school audition information for 8th graders

For more information, please contact your high school band director of the school you will be attending next year, or visit their campus band webpage for more information.

Each high school has their own audition information. See an example of the audition music. (print version)

High school band directors

Garland HS
Bob Beshears
rebeshea@garlandisd.net
GHS Band webpage

Lakeview Centennial HS
Christopher Loyd
cmloyd@garlandisd.net
LCHS Band webpage

Naaman Forest HS
Gregory Taylor
gbtaylor@garlandisd.net
NFHS Band webpage
**Please direct all inquiries to Mr. Taylor's email.

North Garland HS
Christopher Adler
cadler@garlandisd.net
NGHS Band webpage

Rowlett HS
Art Ruangtip
saruangt@garlandisd.net
RHS Band webpage

Sachse HS
Holly Taylor
hctaylor@garlandisd.net
SHS Band webpage

South Garland HS
Benjamin Lewis
bdlewis@garlandisd.net
SGHS Band webpage

Instrument selection

We believe that the instrument chooses the child--not the other way around! The best way to select a child's primary band instrument is to have them go through the process of trying out their top 3-5 choices. Your OMS Band directors are experienced and knowledgeable in helping select instruments based on physical and academic needs.

Traditionally, we decide on instrument choices at one of our scheduled Instrument Selection events. Please expect communication via email and/or mail if your child is enrolled in OMS Band classes for the upcoming school year.

How to choose which instrument is best for you
Band supply list by instruments

How to choose which instrument is best for you

To begin your child's virtual instrument selection, please complete the following steps:

See the video below to view demonstrations of the instruments taught at O'Banion Middle school.
Complete the O'Banion Bison Band preliminary instrument selection form and select the instruments your child would like to consider.
Then, select a time through SignUpGenius to virtually connect with us for a one-on-one session to help with your final selection.

Garland ISD has chosen supply lists for all middle school band students. Please make sure you only order supplies as listed, or email your band directors to approve any other instrument brands and models.

Band Creed

We are the O’Banion Band. We are successful because every day we strive to be better than we were yesterday. We are conscientious and detail oriented, always focused on what is best for the team. We are the best because we always give our best. We are bison!

Chris Sumner, Director

Victoria McIhinney, Assistant Director

Keep in touch with your Bison Band

Conference Time

Mr. Sumner’s conference time is TBD.

Feel free to leave a voicemail anytime and we will get back with you at our earliest convenience. Our direct line is 972-279-6103 ext. 50816.

Email

The primary form of communication is via Email. I will respond within 24 hours. Students may be taking classes with Ms. McIhinney. If you have a question about your student’s grades or progress in the class, please email the teacher your student works with each day. If you have questions about rehearsals, money, trips, etc. please email us.

Remind 101

Remind 101 is an app used to communicate via text messaging. It is crucial to have all students with cell phones and parents with cell phones loaded into this app.

OMS Beginning Band Text: @omsbeg To: 81010
OMS Concert Band Text: @omscon To: 81010
OMS Symphonic Band Text: @omssym To: 81010
OMS Honors Band Text: @omshon To: 81010

Social Media

Many announcements are posted on the front page and there is a wealth of information about the program available for the public to access.

Don't forget to follow us on:

Twitter: @omsbisonband
Instagram: @obanionbisonband

Quicklinks