The secondary Band program of Fort Bend ISD is designed to provide students the opportunity to develop their musical skills as an instrumentalist, while simultaneously teaching the attributes of FBISD's Profile of a Graduate. The pursuit of excellence within a safe, nurturing environment permiates everything we do. FBISD Band programs regularly win state and national recognition. In 2021, the Austin High School Percussion Ensemble performed at the Midwest Clinic, the world's largest Band and Orchestra conference held annually in Chicago, IL. Our Bands regularly are selected as National and Commended winners in the Mark of Excellence's National Wind Band Honors project. In 2021, both the Clements and Austin High School Marching Bands advanced to the biennial UIL State Marching Band Championships.

Middle School Band

For all middle school Band courses, placement is by audition only. Students may be required to purchase or rent their own instruments, as well as purchase some instructional materials. Instruments may be obtained through a rental/purchase agreement from a local music dealer. The school furnishes some larger instruments such as oboes, bassoons, bass clarinets, F horns, euphoniums, tubas, and percussion equipment to students selected for these instruments by the Band Director. An annual $80 fee is charged to students selected by the Band Director to use school-owned instruments. It may be necessary to purchase some materials for uniformity of dress for performance purposes.

Level 1 - Beginning Band

Instrumental instruction begins in the sixth grade in like-instrument beginner classes. Students are taught the fundamentals of tone production, music literacy, sightreading, and how to evaluate their own performance as a young musician by developing the Studio Habits of Mind. Students also are taught cooperation, collaboration, and enthusiastic participation. Winter and/or Spring concerts constitute the performance requirements of this Level 1 course. 

Level 2 - Intermediate Band

Level 2 instruction continues the development of technical and musical skills in a heterogenous performing Band. Leadership, responsibility, cooperation, self-discipline, and concentration are some of the Studio Habits of Mind which are stressed in this course. Intermediate Band students will be involved in various performances and competitions throughout the year including Pre-UIL and UIL Concert/Sightreading Evaluations, which fulfill the performance requirements of the course.

 Level 3 - Advanced Band

The Level 3 Band stresses the continued development of instrumental technique and musicianship through performance and competition. Students are taught artistic expression through individual and group performance, as well as the continued development of the Studio Habits of Mind. Advanced Band students will be involved in numerous performances and competitions throughout the year including TMEA All-region Band auditions and UIL Solo/Ensemble Contest, which fulfill some of the performance requirements for the course.

High School Band

Band I-IV

These band courses are designed for the student who has developed some proficiency in performance skills. Tone production, technical facility, and musicianship are taught as each relates to performance. High School Bands are involved in numerous performances and competitions throughout the year. Every student is required to complete an audition with the Band Director prior to enrollment for the next school year. The number of Bands in each high school varies, and is determined by the number of enrolled students and their placement by the Band Director. In addition, the names of each performing group varies among schools. Students are required to purchase some materials and the cost may vary depending on the Band program and level of study. For specific program participation/consumable materials costs for your school, please contact the Band Director. An annual $80 fee is charged to students selected by the Band Director to use school-owned instruments. Participation in Marching Band is required as a member of all Band classes. Students enrolled in a Band course during the fall semester of their freshman and sophomore years will receive PE Substitution credit for participation in the Marching Band activity outside of the school day, which meets the graduation requirement for one credit of PE.

Color Guard I-IV

The Color Guard is the visual unit of the Band program. Students participate with the Marching Band in numerous performances in the fall semester and perform independently in Winter Guard competitions from November through April. The principles of dance and kinesthetic awareness are developed in tandem with the use of equipment, which includes flags, rifles, and sabers. Some proficiency in dance skills is preferred, although not required. Placement in this course is by audition only. Students are required to purchase some materials and the cost may vary depending on the color guard program and level of study. Color Guard students are required to participate in all Marching Band activities, as well as all after-school rehearsals and performances. Students enrolled in a Color Guard course during the fall semester of their freshman and sophomore years will receive PE Substitution credit for participation in the Marching Band activity outside of the school day, which meets the graduation requirement for one credit of PE.

Jazz Ensemble I-IV

The focus of this course is the exploration of styles and rhythms utilized in American jazz through performance. Students learn improvisational techniques. Students must be concurrently enrolled in another regular Band class in order to qualify for participation in Jazz Ensemble (exception: piano, guitar, and bass). Placement in the course is by audition only. Students are required to purchase some materials and the cost may vary depending on the Band program and level of study.

A Supplemental Music Lesson Program is available to students who wish to enhance their instrumental skills through individualized instruction with a private lesson teacher. The campus Band Director can assist students and parents in arranging for such lessons before, during, or after the school day. For further information, please contact your school's Band Director.