6th Grade Beginner Band
The 6th grade Beginner Band at Cario is comprised of students in their first year of playing an instrument. This band is divided into two classes, Woodwinds and Brass. The Beginner Band performs at the winter and end-of-year concerts. They also compete each spring at the Carowinds Music Festival in Charlotte, NC. This ensemble may also include 7th grade band students who are not members of the 7th Symphonic Band.
7th Grade Concert Band
The Concert Band is comprised of all eligible 7th grade band students. Students in this ensemble have at least one year on their instrument. The Concert Band performs at the winter and end-of-year in-house concerts.
7th Grade Concert Festival Band
The Concert Festival Band is the top performing group for 7th grade. Members of the Symphonic Band are selected by the directors based on their standing at the end of 6th grade. Students assigned to the 7th Concert Band may be invited to move up during the 7th grade year. The 7th Symphonic Band performs at the winter, spring and end-of-year concerts and represents Cario Middle School in the South Carolina Concert Festival. Students in the 7th Symphonic Band who successfully audition for the Wind Ensemble also perform with that ensemble.
8th Grade Concert Band and Jazz Band
All 8th grade band students are members of the 8th Grade Concert Band. This concert band performs at the winter and end-of-year concerts.
Jazz Band is an additional ensemble group at Cario and is available exclusively to 8th grade students. Jazz Band members are selected through an audition process at the end of 7th grade. Students are enrolled in both the 8th Grade Band class and the Jazz Band class. The Jazz Band performs at several in-house concerts throughout the school year. This ensemble may perform at various school, civic, and educational functions.
Symphonic Band
The Wind Ensemble is Cario's premier performing ensemble and is comprised of 7th and 8th grade students who consistently display instrumental excellence. In very rare circumstances, a 6th grade student may be selected to perform with this ensemble. Members of the Wind Ensemble are chosen through an audition process and are held to strict attendance requirements. Students in this ensemble are expected to be enrolled in private lessons and to be available for sectional work and rehearsals before and/or after school. Wind Ensemble members are required to audition for the District 4 Honor Band and the South Carolina All-State Band, if selected for a call-back audition. The Symphonic Band performs at the spring and end-of-year concerts. This ensemble represents Cario Middle School in the South Carolina Concert Festival, as well as at Regional and National Festivals.