The Cario Band Program provides a high-quality, sequential music education that uses music as a vehicle for personal and musical growth. Through daily effort, accountability, and pride in one’s work, students develop as disciplined musicians and responsible members of a shared musical community.

 

Beginning Band

The Cario Beginning Band includes all sixth-grade students enrolled in band and represents their first year of instrumental study. Membership is open to all interested students and is sustained through good behavior, consistent effort, and a commitment to learning. Beginning Band instruction focuses on developing sound fundamentals, musical confidence, and helping students build a strong identity as musicians.

The Beginning Band performs at semester concerts, are encouraged to participate in Solo & Ensemble, and participates annually in the Carowinds Festival of Music, providing students with an early opportunity to perform and represent the school beyond campus.
 

Concert Band

The Cario Concert Band is composed of seventh-grade students who have successfully completed sixth-grade band. Students in this ensemble continue to refine their technical skills, depth of musical understanding, and ensemble responsibility while being held to higher expectations of ensemble performance and behavior.

The Concert Band performs at quarterly concerts, participates in Concert Performance Assessment, and performs at select school and recruiting events. These students are also encouraged to audition for Region and All-State Band. Students in this ensemble may also have the opportunity to travel and perform alongside the Symphonic Band on select trips.
 

Symphonic Band

The Cario Symphonic Band is the premier performing ensemble of the program and is composed of eighth-grade students who have successfully completed both sixth- and seventh-grade band. Members of this ensemble demonstrate advanced performance skills, exceptional practice habits, leadership, and exemplary behavior.
 

The Symphonic Band performs at quarterly concerts, participates in Concert Performance Assessment, and represents Cario Middle School at school, community, recruiting, and festival events. Many of these students earn a spot in our Region and All-State bands. Each year, the Symphonic Band travels to Florida to perform at nationally recognized venues such as Disney World or Universal Studios, serving as ambassadors for the program and school.
 

Jazz Band

The Cario Jazz Band is the most visible ensemble in both the school and local community. Membership is open to eighth-grade students with an interest in jazz who are able to commit to enrollment in both their core band class and Jazz Band.

The Jazz Band performs at quarterly concerts alongside the Beginning, Concert, and Symphonic Bands, and regularly appears at school, community, and recruiting events. Through jazz performance, students develop improvisation skills, stylistic awareness, and a deeper understanding of American music traditions.
 

Cario Lessons Academy

Private lessons are widely recognized as the most effective way for students to make meaningful progress on their instrument. Through the Cario Lessons Academy, the band program hosts a long-established network of local professional musicians and educators who provide weekly, one-on-one instruction on campus.
 

This individualized instruction allows students to receive focused feedback that cannot be replicated in a large ensemble setting. Students who participate in private lessons consistently demonstrate stronger fundamentals, increased motivation, improved practice habits, and a deeper enjoyment of music. The Cario Lessons Academy represents a unique and intentional investment in student growth and is a cornerstone of the program’s commitment to musical excellence.