Eligibility

NEISD middle school band programs offer students a variety of exciting musical opportunities! At the end of 5th grade, the middle school band directors will host an event at which students will have the opportunity to try out a variety of instruments. The directors will place a student on the instrument that they feel best fits them.

Expectations

In 6th grade, students join Beginner Band and learn to play brass, woodwind, or percussion instruments. In 7th and 8th grades, band students play in a full concert band and have opportunities to join jazz band, compete in region auditions, perform at a high school football game, and take out-of-town trips.

There is a small Student Program Enrichment Fee which varies with each middle school band program. The fee is payable in installments throughout the fall and can be completely covered through student fundraisers! Please reach out to the band director to discuss specific payment options.

Eligibility

Our NEISD high school band programs are some of the most well-respected and competitive in the nation. They include competitive marching bands, pep bands, jazz bands, chamber ensembles, solo competitions, color guard (flags), and much more. In high school, all students are part of the marching band for the first 11 weeks of the fall. Then, they perform in a traditional concert band or wind ensemble for the remainder of the school year.

At the end of 8th grade, the high school band directors will reach out to all 8th-grade band students with audition information for the high school band program. Students will perform a quick audition toward the end of the school year so they can be placed in the correct 9th-grade band class based on their musical ability. Everyone “makes the band!” Students simply need to select “Band” on their high school choice sheet.

NEISD band programs are among the top-rated in the state of Texas and across the country for a multitude of reasons including:

Consistent Sweepstakes earnings at UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contests

• Top 10 finishes in State UIL and Band of America Grand National marching competitions
• All 7 NEISD High School Bands advanced to UIL Area Marching Contest
• 64 students placed in the Texas Music Educators Association All-State Band over the past 3 years

Color Guard “Flags” is an offering of the NEISD High School Band programs. Color guard students need no prior music or dance experience. These students are taught by trained choreographers and consultants. The color G=guard travels, performs, and competes as a part of the marching band, and the color guard class gives students all of their required PE and Fine Arts credits for high school.

Expectations

There is a Student Program Enrichment Fee which varies with each high school band and color guard program. The fee is payable in installments throughout the fall and can be completely covered through student fundraisers! Please reach out to the band director to discuss specific payment options.

Eligibility

The orchestra programs in NEISD are among the best in Texas. Students can begin as early in 5th grade with our “5th Grade Strings” program at each of our 46 elementary campuses. At the end of 5th grade, students will receive information from the middle school orchestra director regarding 6th-grade courses for orchestra. Everyone “makes the orchestra”! Students will be placed into the correct middle school orchestra course based on their previous experience, but there is no experience necessary; our programs also offer 6th-grade beginner strings classes.

Middle school orchestra programs in NEISD consistently earn sweepstakes awards at UIL Concert and Sight-reading evaluations. Many of our orchestra students earned chairs in the TMEA All-Region Orchestra through an audition process each November. Specific ensembles vary by campus, but our NEISD middle school orchestra students are exposed to beginner string instruction, chamber ensembles, mariachi opportunities, full symphony orchestras, and so much more.

Expectations

Some of our programs also have a small fee associated with a membership which helps to offset the cost of performances, guest clinicians, competitions, music arrangements, and much more. These fees can often be fully paid through fundraisers during the school year. Most campuses have a supply of school-owned instruments that can be rented for a small fee. Please reach out to each director for specific information!

Eligibility

The orchestra programs in NEISD are among the best in Texas. Beginning with our 5th Grade Strings program, our students receive world-class training and countless performance opportunities throughout their elementary, middle, and high school musical careers.

At the end of 8th grade, the high school orchestra directors will reach out to all 8th-grade orchestra students with information on how to join the high school orchestra program. Sometimes students will perform a quick evaluation toward the end of the school year so they can be placed in the correct 9th-grade orchestra class based on their ability. Students should select “Orchestra” on their high school choice sheet.

Orchestra programs in NEISD consistently earn sweepstakes awards at UIL Concert and Sight-reading evaluations. Many of our orchestra students earned chairs in the TMEA Texas All-State Orchestra and enjoy success at the region, area, and state level as soloists and as members of award-winning ensembles. Our string students are exposed to chamber ensembles, mariachi opportunities, full symphony orchestras, musical pit orchestras, and so much more!

Expectations

Many of our programs also have a small fee associated with membership, which helps to offset the cost of performances, travel, uniforms, guest clinicians, competitions, music arrangements, and much more. These fees can often be fully paid through fundraisers during the school year.

Eligibility

Choral music is offered as an elective at all 14 middle schools in North East ISD. The choral staff consists of fully-certified choral specialists as well as countless vocal coaches and private lesson teachers. Nearly 2,000 middle school students are enrolled in our district’s choir programs which is a testament to the outstanding teaching and wonderful opportunities available to our NEISD choir students.

When entering middle school, students simply need to select “Choir” on their choice sheet and the middle school choir director will place them in the correct class. Courses include Tenor Bass choirs, Treble choirs, and mixed voice choirs, and are sometimes split based on grade level. Choir students will learn a multitude of styles from Classical technique to pop choirs. Students will have many opportunities to perform throughout the year and a large number of our students achieve success throughout the TMEA All-Region middle school choir audition process. Private voice lessons are available on most middle school campuses where space allows.

Expectations

Many of our programs also have a small fee associated with membership, which helps to offset the cost of performances, guest clinicians, competitions, music arrangements, and much more. These fees can often be fully paid through fundraisers during the school year.

Eligibility

Choral music is offered as an elective at all 7 high schools in North East ISD. The choral staff consists of fully-certified choral specialists as well as countless vocal coaches and private lesson teachers. Over 1,500 high school students are enrolled in our district’s choir programs which is a testament to the outstanding teaching and wonderful opportunities available to our NEISD choir students.

At the end of 8th grade, the high school choir directors will reach out to all middle school choir students with information on how to join the high school choir program. Students may perform a quick evaluation toward the end of the school year so they can be placed in the correct 9th-grade choir class based on their ability and vocal range. Middle school director feedback is also used to determine class placement. Everyone “makes the choir!” Students simply need to select “Choir” on their high school choice sheet.

Courses include Tenor-Bass, Treble, mixed voice choirs, and vocal ensembles- including show choirs, contemporary acapella ensembles and much more. Choir students have many opportunities to perform throughout the year and a large number of our students achieve success throughout the TMEA All-Region and All-State Choir audition process. Private voice lessons are available on all high school campuses.

Expectations

Many of our programs also have a small fee associated with membership, which helps to offset the cost of uniforms, travel, performances, guest clinicians, competitions, music arrangements, and much more. These fees can often be fully paid through fundraisers during the school year.