JOIN BAND @ CMS!

CLICK HERE to download our Welcome to Band information packet, which contains everything you need to know about band here at CMS!

  • At Chapin Middle School, we offer 6th grade beginner band, where students learn the basics of their chosen band instrument, such as flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, or percussion, in addition to the basics of how to read and play music.

    Students continue to 7th grade and perform in our concert band, where they will have an opportunity to travel to Concert Performance Assessment at another midlands school.

    In 8th grade, students perform in our symphonic band. In addition to our quarterly school concerts, students will perform at Concert Performance Assessment, and will also perform at Carowinds in the spring.

    In 8th grade, students can audition for other ensembles, such as future Jazz Band or Percussion Ensemble. Students are also eligible to audition for CHIP, Chapin High School Indoor Percussion, as well as the Pride of the Midlands Marching Band at Chapin High School while in 8th grade.

  • We want you!‍ ‍Any rising 6th grader coming to Chapin Middle School can join band. Generally, Chapin Elementary School and Piney Woods Elementary School students continue to Chapin Middle School, while students attending Lake Murray Elementary School and Ballentine Elementary School continue to Spring Hill Middle School.

    While being in 6th grade beginner band is a prerequisite for 7th and 8th grade band, exceptions can be made. Please contact Mr. Smith for more information. We would LOVE to have you in band, at any grade!

    For students that will be attending Spring Hill Middle School, please contact Rachel Shealy, Director of Bands at SHMS for more information.

  • Students and parents sign up for band during course sign-ups near the end of each school year.

    Information will be sent to all parents of students who are expected to attend Chapin Middle School as a 6th grader for the 2026-2027 school year, at some point after Winter break.

    Upcoming students and parents need to attend one of two instrument testing/information nights in the spring. Here at CMS, we want EVERY band student to be successful on his or her instrument, and we want to make sure students are paired up with the instrument that they will be the most successful with. Every student will test out all of the different band instruments and see which one is the best fit for them on one of these information sessions.

    Please see our “Welcome to Band” information packet at the top of this page.

  • There have been COUNTLESS studies done on the benefits of learning how to play an instrument. CLICK HERE for a brief list of peer reviewed and sourced advocacy facts.

    The main reason, It’s awesome!

What is band?

beginner band instrument demonstration

Presented by the US Army Field Band. What instruments can I play!?

the lasting impact of music education

Music is more than notes on a page. It’s confidence, growth, joy and a sense of belonging that never fades. In these heartfelt testimonials, parents, educators and students reflect on the life-changing impact of band and orchestra programs.

how playing an instrument benefits your brain

When you listen to music, multiple areas of your brain become engaged and active. But when you actually play an instrument, that activity becomes more like a full-body brain workout. What's going on? Anita Collins explains the fireworks that go off in musicians' brains when they play, and examines some of the long-term positive effects of this mental workout. Lesson by Anita Collins, animation by Sharon Colman Graham. Presented by TEDed.

this is your brain on music

Music has been an important part of every human culture, both past and present. It can play a part in brain development, learning, mood, and even your health.

One of the most common affects music has, is that it can alter our mood and feelings, by stimulating the formation of certain brain chemicals. When you listen to music you actually like, your brain releases a neurotransmitter called dopamine. So basically music can makes us feel good.

Another interesting aspect is how listening to music can affect our exercise regime. As our body realizes we’re tired and wants to stop exercising, it sends signals to the brain to stop for a break. Listening to music competes for our brain’s attention, and can help us override those signals of fatigue.

In the last few decades, neuroscientists have made enormous breakthroughs in understanding how our brains work, by monitoring them with instruments like fMRI. Through brain scans we have found that musicians have different brains than non-musicians. People who play an instrument have bigger, better connected, more sensitive brains. So both listening and creating music has it's own benefits.