Band

The directors and staff are committed to developing a well rounded, expressive student that not only is a fine performer but also demonstrates a heightened sense of personal/social skills which include, but are not limited to: team work, promptness, responsibility, conduct, and effort. Also important is the desire to emphasize artistic expression through music as a top priority. Band students will be able to demonstrate proficiency on a wind or percussion instrument through performance and practice. They will demonstrate music literacy in relation to reading music, as well as expressive and stylistic nuance associated with a piece of music. Furthermore, the student will demonstrate characteristics associated with good musicianship including, but not limited to; tone, posture, rhythmic accuracy, instrument care and maintenance, and social and conduct skills associated with performing ensembles. There are 4 levels of concert bands in the band magnet at Miami Arts Studio and 3 levels of jazz bands offered at MAS, as well as a Latin Jazz Ensemble.

Meet the Band Directors

Erich S. Rivero

Director of Bands and Jazz Studies

erichrivero@dadeschools.net
John Bixby

John Bixby

Director of Bands

jbixby@dadeschools.net

Band Audition Criteria

GRADE 6-8

BAND: WIND/BRASS/PERCUSSION

Performance of a prepared selection on an instrument (woodwind, brass, percussion bass, guitar, piano, or recorder).

Performance of a one or two octave major scale on an instrument (woodwind, brass, percussion, bass, guitar, piano, or recorder).

Sight reading

Aural pitch matching

Brief interview

Please bring a photograph to the audition, not to exceed 5”X7”. Print your name on the back of the photo along with the program you are auditioning for.

NOTE: Instrument assignment for beginners is at the discretion of the director.    

GRADE 9-10

BAND: WIND/BRASS/PERCUSSION

Perform a classical solo piece of music (Percussion needs to have solos for mallets, snare drum and timpani). The selection should be Grade Two or higher from the Florida Bandmasters Association list. Bring two copies of your selections to the audition.

Perform 6 major scales of one, two or three octaves with arpeggio.

Perform a Chromatic scale the range of your instrument.

Sight-read music of average difficulty.

Demonstrate acceptable proficiency on a music fundamental examination.

Brief Interview

Please bring a photograph to the audition, not to exceed 5”X7”. Print your name on the back of the photo along with the program you are auditioning for.

All applicants must provide two copies of the selection to be performed. All applicants are requested to provide their own instrument, except for Pianists and Percussionists. 

Latest News

Full Video of Invitiation to 2025 London's New Year's Day Parade & Festival

WSVN 7 Coverage of Invitation to 2025 London's New Year's Day Parade & Festival

Mark of Excellence National Winners

The Miami Arts Studio Wind Symphony was recently awarded the Foundation for Music Education's Mark of Excellence Award for 2023.

Mark of Excellence

Music For All National Concert Festival

The Miami Arts Studio Wind Symphony was selected as a premier performing group for the 2023 National Festival in Indianapolis.

Music For all

MAS Band Awards and Accolades

Music for All National Concert Festival
*The Wind Symphony was awarded one of the top 18 bands in the nation to perform at the festival in Indianapolis, IN on featured stage in Clowes Hall.

MAS Jazz Band and Gloria Estefan
*The Jazz Band performed with Gloria Estefan on CNN for the 4th of July celebration broadcast.

TRI-STATE HONOR BAND – FSU
Joshua Leal

MIAMI DADE COLLEGE HONOR BANDS
Jazz Honor Band
Angel Ybarra
Melanie Flores
Lucas Alzate
Concert Honor Band
Lucas Pena
Isaias Roque Montero

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI HONOR BAND
Estefany Toledo Morales
*Camila Vargas
Eduardo Vivas
Samuel Murillo
Ethan Tapias
Diego Menendez
Natalie Llanes
*Christopher Zabala
Nicholas Cuevas
Alejandro Robles
Robert Kennedy
Joshua Leal
Angel Ybarra
Derek Figueroa
*Breck Cherry
Kaden Jamid
*Maria Nina
Lucas Alzate
* students that made the top band at festival


SUPERINTENDENT HONOR CONCERT BAND
MIDDLE SCHOOL

Daniel Salas
Sebastian Rodriguez-Rey
Brooklyn Land
Andres Anoceto
Olivia Gonzalez
Luccas Tycer
Anthony Martinez
Francisco Hernandez
Jean Silah
Leonardo Nordelo
Daniel Varona
Jacobo Montoya
Marcus Bello
HIGH SCHOOL
Camila Vargas
Eduardo Vivas
Chris Zabala
Nicholas Cuevas
Natalia Varona
Samuel Murillo
Ethan Tapias
Diego Menendez
Alejandro Robles
Robert Kennedy
Leandro Cruz
Melanie Florez
Lucas Pena
Maria Nina
Michael Gallo
Nathalie Obando Nunez
Lucas Alzate
Carlos Gonzalez Rodriguez
Isaias Roque Montero
Daysi Zeledon-Iriaste
Victor Chavez
Orlando Hernandez
Joseph Flores
Lioshandry Pineiro

*FMEA All-State Honor BANDS*
All-State Middle School Jazz Band
Daniel Varona
All-State 9-10 Concert Orchestra
Samuel Murillo

Florida Bandmasters Association
District Jazz Music Performance Assessment

Miami Arts Studio Maverick Jazz Band 3 - Straight Superiors
Miami Arts Studio Maverick Jazz Band 2 - Straight Superiors
Miami Arts Studio Maverick Concert Jazz Band 1- Straight Superiors

Florida Bandmasters Association
District Concert Music Performance Assessment

Miami Arts Studio Symphonic Band – Straight Superiors
Miami Arts Studio Wind Symphony – Straight Superiors

Florida Bandmasters Association
District Solo Evaluations

124 Superior Ratings – through all 3 concert bands

Florida Bandmasters Association
STATE Jazz Music Performance Assessment

Miami Arts Studio Maverick Jazz Band 2 – Straight Superiors
Miami Arts Studio Maverick Concert Jazz Band 1- Straight Superiors

Florida Bandmasters Association
STATE Concert Music Performance Assessment

Miami Arts Studio Wind Symphony – Straight Superiors
F. Lewis Jones award
– every ensemble received straight superior ratings for school year

Florida Bandmasters Association
State Solo Evaluations:

EXCELLENT:
Alejandro Robles
Nicholas Brunelle
Maria Nina
Lucas Pena
Angelina Gutierrez
Ethan Tapias
Robert Kennedy
Lucas Alzate
Richard Medvin
Jason Suarez
Camila Vargas
Michael Gallo
Kaden Jamid
Joshua Leal

SUPERIOR:
Eilas Leder
Angel Ybarra
David Valcarcel
Eduardo Vivas
Alejandro Vegas
Samuel Murillo
Breck Cherry
Christopher Zabala
SUPERIOR WITH DISTINCTION:
Robert Vernon
SUPERIOR DUET:
Eduardo Vivas & Camila Vargas

Florida Music Educators Association Music Education Service Award presented to:
JOHN BIXBY

INSTRUMENTALIST NATIONAL RECOGNITION AWARDS
JOHN PHILIP SOUSA AWARD – CHRISTOPHER ZABALA
LOUIS ARMSTRONG JAZZ AWARD – BRECK CHERRY
WOODY HERMAN JAZZ AWARD – JACE JOHNSON
LEONARD BERNSTEIN MUSICIANSHIP AWARD – OSMANY GONZALEZ
QUINCY JONES MUSICIANSHIP AWARD – JOSHUA LEAL
THE DIRECTOR’S AWARD – MELANIE FLOREZ 

Jazz Band Florida Bandmasters Association Evaluation
MAS Studio Jazz Band - Straight Superior
MAS Maverick Jazz Band– Straight Superior
MAS Concert Jazz Band- Straight Superior

Concert Band Florida Band Masters Association Evaluation 
Wind Symphony - Straight Superiors
Symphonic Band - Straight Superiors


MDC Honor Band


MDC Honor Jazz Band


Superintendent District Honor Jazz Band
High School:



Superintendent District Honor Concert Band
High School:



FBA Solo Evaluations
Superior Ratings:



Address

15015 SW 24 Street
Miami, FL 33185


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