The After School Beginning Band is an exploratory course of study that meets after school three days per week from mid February through the end of the school year.  This exploratory course is open to students in grades 5-7.  Students learn the basic fundamentals of performing on a wind band instrument such as: proper posture, playing position, breathing, tone production, rhythmic and melodic notation reading, etc... Students are also exposed to introductory band literature over the course of this study.

*This is a prerequisite in regards to becoming a member of the Merritt Academy Middle School Concert Band.        

The Middle School Concert Band is comprised of students in grades 6-8 with roughly 35 members.   Instruction includes the fundamental development of rhythmic and melodic notation reading skills, optimal tone production, and overall general musicianship skills while performing a broad range of grade level wind band literature.  Our Concert Band performances include the Fall Concert, the Winter Holiday Concert, The Spring Concert, and MSBOA District and State Band Festival Performances.  This award-winning ensemble has consistently earned superior or excellent ratings in competition.  

The High School Wind Ensemble is comprised of students in grades 9-12 with roughly 35 members.  Instruction includes a more advanced development of overall musicianship skills while performing a broad range of mature wind band literature.  Our Wind Ensemble performances include the Fall Concert, the Winter Holiday Concert, The Spring Concert, and MSBOA District and State Band Festival Performances.  This award-winning ensemble has consistently earned superior or excellent ratings in competition. 

*These students also have the the opportunity to support our community at the Annual New Haven Tree Lighting Ceremony and other venues around the New Haven area.   

*Both our bands have performed at Comerica Park and The Palace of Auburn Hills.  During the 2016 season our bands performed at the Cedar Point Festival of Music winning 2nd place overall with a Superior Rating and winning the Esprit de Corps Award. 

*Both the Middle School Concert Band and the High School Wind Ensemble are performance oriented ensembles that perform in the evening and on weekends which requires time outside the normal school day.