The Wind Ensemble is the top-performing ensemble at WAMS and is made up of the highest performing 7th and 8th grade band students. Members of this group exhibit a strong understanding of music notation, sight-reading, high quality tone production, intonation, and an eagerness to perform difficult music and work on it outside of the classroom.  Wind Ensemble students perform in at least three concerts, pep rallies, one football game, 1-2 5th grade recruitment concerts, and the district’s Pre-UIL performance.  They will compete in competitions such as Region Band, a solo contest, and the state UIL Concert and Sight-Reading evaluation.  During the fall semester, students are required to attend before/after-school sectionals for their specific instrument (see tab "Sectional Schedule").  In the spring semester, students are required to attend before/after-school sectionals and one weekly after-school rehearsal (see tab "Sectional Schedule").  These sectionals and rehearsals will prepare students for competition performances.

The Symphonic Band is for 7th and 8th grade students that can already read music, create characteristic tones on their instruments, have a solid understanding of technique on their instrument, and are knowledgeable enough to prepare music outside of the classroom. Members of this band perform in at least three concerts, pep rallies, one football game, and the district’s Pre-UIL performance.  They will compete in competitions such as Region Band (optional), a solo contest, and the state UIL Concert and Sight-Reading evaluation.  During the fall semester, students are required to attend before/after-school sectionals for their specific instrument (see tab "Sectional Schedule").  In the spring semester, students are required to attend before/after-school sectionals and one weekly after-school rehearsal (see tab "Sectional Schedule").  These sectionals and rehearsals will prepare students for competition performances.

The Concert Band is designed for 7th and 8th grade students to build and strengthen their fundamentals as both individual musicians and part of an ensemble.  Students in this band will solidify instrumental technique and practice strategies to help them become more successful, and they will work on filling in any gaps in their musical knowledge.  The nature of this group allows for differentiated instruction as well as one-on-one opportunities between students and teachers.  Members of this band perform in at least three concerts, pep rallies, one football game, a solo contest, and at the district’s Pre-UIL performance.  No before/after-school sectionals for their instrument are required of this group, but students are highly encouraged to attend.

The Beginner Band is for 6th graders with little or no prior background in playing a band instrument. Students will be placed on instruments by the band directors through an “instrument interview” that allows the directors to determine which instrument the student will most likely be successful on. Throughout the year, students will learn how to read music, develop a basic understanding of music theory and history, proper rehearsal/concert etiquette, and how to play their instrument with correct breath support, posture, body position, and characteristic tone. Beginners will perform in at least two concerts, a solo contest, and a district sponsored beginner band evaluation performance.