The Van Buren Instrumental Music Program has been a beacon of excellence for over 50 years. With record numbers of student enrollment, the band program currently serves nearly 900 students in grades 6-12. As the largest single activity in the Van Buren School District, the program comprises a diverse group of students from many different cultures and economic backgrounds. Join us in celebrating the rich tradition of the Van Buren Band Program.

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All Van Buren Bands, including the Butterfield Trail Middle School Band, Northridge Middle School Band, Van Buren High School Freshman Academy Symphonic Band, Van Buren High School Freshman Academy Wind Ensemble, Van Buren High School Concert Band and Van Buren High School Symphonic Winds, are renowned for their consistent Superior ratings at regional and national concert assessments. The Van Buren High School Band has been awarded the ASBOA Sweepstakes for over 50 consecutive years, making it a top choice for music education in the region.

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The Van Buren High School Instrumental Music Program is proud to provide a comprehensive music education experience to our students. We offer a diverse range of instrumental ensemble performance opportunities, such as four concert bands, two marching bands, two color guards, winter guard, two jazz bands, and two percussion ensembles. Additionally, we provide various chamber ensembles and private instruction opportunities.

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Our department has been recognized eight times as one of the "Top 50 Communities for Music Education" in the United States by The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM). Our Van Buren High School Marching Band has achieved incredible success, being crowned the Arkansas Class 6A State Champion in 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, and 2022, and the State Championship Runner-up in 2019 and 2023. We have also earned numerous class, caption, and overall championship awards at various prestigious marching band competitions.

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In recent years, our band has achieved record-breaking success, with 72 students earning All-Region honors and 27 students placing in the Arkansas All-State Band in 2023. Our instrumental music program has also produced numerous talented graduates who continue their music education at colleges and universities throughout the region, earning over three quarters of a million dollars in music scholarships annually. Join us in celebrating the achievements of our outstanding students and their dedication to the art of music.

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The Van Buren Instrumental Music Department prioritizes instructional scheduling to ensure the success of their band program. They offer congruent instrumental beginner classes in the 6th grade, which aligns with full band instruction in the 7th grade. The program provides continuity of teacher to student instruction from 6th grade through a student's senior year of high school, which has been proven to be paramount to the program's success.