8th Grade Band
IMG_9438.MOV10/11 TRIP TO AHS
A clip of the combined UVMS, AHS, and LMS 8-12th graders playing Anchors Aweigh on our field trip to Arlington High School Friday, October 11th.
Students worked with Mr. Guillen (Director of the AHS Wind Ensemble and Jazz Machine) in a band of 200+ LMS, UVMS, and AHS students.
After rehearsal, students got a chance to see the Arlington Marching Band's 2024 show, too.
Welcome to 8th Grade Band!
Dear 8th Grade Band students and families,
Welcome back to another amazing year of music-making and learning at LMS! Students in 8th Grade Band can expect to work on more challenging music, the chance to play in chamber groups/small ensembles, additional field trips, DCMEA Jr. High All-County, and more performance opportunities, like music-competition festivals and local community events. No matter where you are in your musical journey, my job is to help you grow and develop your love of music.
Communication between school and home is key for each student's success. Parents and families: never hesitate to contact me via email (sryan@acsdny.org) or phone (845-486-4880 x70940). You can also text my Google Voice number (845-243-0382) and I will get back to you as soon as I can. Students: during the school day, you can almost always find me in my office (in the Band Room) or somewhere in the music wing!
Check this page for updates on required materials, "first week" details, upcoming concert/performance dates, and other important information. I'm looking forward to a great year!
-Mr. Ryan
Meet YOUR teacher
This will be my fifth year of teaching here in Arlington, having taught at both LaGrange Middle School and Union Vale Middle School. I've directed the 8th Grade Band at LMS since 2020 and I’m excited for the upcoming year!
Originally from the Capital Region, I attended Ithaca College for my B.M. in Music Education. In July of 2024, I graduated from Colorado State University with an M.M. in Conducting and Music Education.
When it comes to band, I'm passionate about programming exciting music by newer and underrepresented composers. My goal is to make band enjoyable and educational, while making sure we're all proud of our final product. We're a team, and it's important that we're all on the same page to achieve our goals.
Outside of school, you can find me teaching private trumpet lessons to students around the Mid-Hudson region, traveling somewhere new (22 countries, 33 states, and counting!), exploring a new place to eat (or a nearby Chipotle), or running on the Rail Trail.
Each week in 8th grade band:
We have a 41-minute large-group rehearsal each day during a fixed-period
You'll have a 41-minute small-group music lesson each week during a period that changes each week
*Written homework is rarely assigned. The daily homework is to practice your band and lesson music before class the next day!*
What's New in 8th Grade Band?
Select students are invited to perform at community events, like the Overlook Flag Day Parade, Open House, and Moving-Up in June
We compete at a music festival (Music in the Parks or Trills and Thrills) and spend the day at an amusement park - since starting at LMS, we've regularly received "Superior" ratings (the top category) at our competitions and evaluations
We get to work with guest conductors and special musical guests from around the area - in 2023 we had Laura Estes as our composer-in-residence and in 2022 we welcomed a clarinet quintet
We attend a field trip to Arlington High School in the October to work with the award-winning AHS Bands