Blacksburg Middle School Bands

What our students say to other students thinking about joining the band program

Abby

Gilbert Linkous Elementary

I think it helps you with learning new things and encourages your mind to work harder

Morgan

Gilbert Linkous Elementary

You learn how to play any instrument of your choice, and you make amazing friends that you keep through middle school and maybe even high school

Kayla

Gilbert Linkous Elementary

If you want to have fun, find very kind friends, and have a good time learning something you like and want to learn.

Solly

Gilbert Linkous Elementary

Band is really fun, and it is good to know how to play an instrument, and it is really, really, really, really, really, really fun.

Elliot

Gilbert Linkous Elementary

If you enjoy contributing to a team, having some sort of hobby that will stick (and maybe show off your instrument skills to your friends), then I think that Band might be the perfect class for you.

Mila

Gilbert Linkous Elementary

If you like music, then try a band; if you don't want to learn about music, try it anyway, because it is a lot more than just music.

Fatemeh

Gilbert Linkous Elementary

I would like to say that you should join a band because it's really fun, you can pick your own instrument, and play lots of fun songs with your teacher.

Juniper

Gilbert Linkous Elementary

You should join the band if you want to learn a new instrument.

Emily

Gilbert Linkous Elementary

BMS band is a great opportunity to make new friends, become an AMAZING instrument player, and have chances to go on big trips that only band kids get to go on. I strongly suggest joining the band. (Clarinet is the best by the way!)

Olivia

Gilbert Linkous Elementary

You get to meet so many people who share your interests.

Avina

Gilbert Linkous Elementary

Band is a great way to enter the world of music and learn a new instrument. It allows you to play new and different songs and enjoy yourself in the process. It's awesome, and it's FREE, with no cost for lessons! It's good to have something to do when you're bored or just want to relax and let out your emotions on a stressful day, and playing an instrument helps with those things. Who knows, maybe one day you'll become a professional music player!

Annabella

Gilbert Linkous Elementary

I LOVE THE CLARINET!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Melissa

Gilbert Linkous Elementary

You will meet a lot of new people and you will have fun playing your instrument.

Jason

Gilbert Linkous Elementary

ROLLERCOASTER

Alexandre

Gilbert Linkous Elementary

It is fun, you can learn a lot of new and fun things, and if you want, you can play songs you like

Paulina

Harding Avenue Elementary

You should do band because you get to go to the amusement park and go on a lot of other trips.

Gracie

Harding Avenue Elementary

You should join the band program at BMS because it's the best in the county! You won't get a better lesson anywhere else.

Jake

Harding Avenue Elementary

You should definitely join the Band Program because it has many things to offer, not just playing an instrument.

Natalia

Harding Avenue Elementary

Playing in the band will give you opportunities you never had before, and you will make so many friends

Pranaya

Harding Avenue Elementary

It's really fun! You get to go to theme parks, ride the rides there, play in the concert, and just overall have a lot of fun with your friends.

Kayla

Harding Avenue Elementary

That you will meet a bunch of cool people, and the songs we play are also really cool. :)

Charlie

Harding Avenue Elementary

If you aren't good at anything, band might be something you're good at, so try something new and have fun.

Adelyn

Harding Avenue Elementary

It's really fun and you get to go on a field trip to a rollercoaster place

Oli

Harding Avenue Elementary

Joining the BMS band is a great experience that can help you branch out and try something new.

Xixi

Harding Avenue Elementary

The pacing is good and the material is not too hard, but we still get more done than the other bands in our county.

Zacariah

Harding Avenue Elementary

You get to have fun in class, and you get to go on a bunch of field trips

Mackenzie

Harding Avenue Elementary

Because being in the band makes you smarter.

Corwyn

Harding Avenue Elementary

DO IT IT IS AWSOME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lusie

Harding Avenue Elementary

IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU WANT TO JOIN? JOIN!!!!

Olivia

Harding Avenue Elementary

It's fun, cool, and it has a lot of fun events, and the people are nice. You also get to hang out with your friends a lot.

Lily

Harding Avenue Elementary

The band is so much more fun than I thought it could even be

Harrison

Harding Avenue Elementary

It is fun and there isn't much homework.

Carolyn

Harding Avenue Elementary, Gilbert Linkous Elementary

It is a good way to connect with others.

Sophia

I attended another elementary school OUTSIDE of the Blacksburg zones

If you start to doubt yourself, then that means you care.

Adeife

I attended another elementary school OUTSIDE of the Blacksburg zones

If you like music, do it..

Adaliz

I attended another elementary school OUTSIDE of the Blacksburg zones

The band has grown me in so many ways, and it's a great opportunity to make friends and have fun.

Nina

Kipps Elementary

Band class will be a great place to meet new friends (especially in 6th grade) and is an amazing opportunity to learn from our amazing band directors.

Reed

Kipps Elementary

At first, you may struggle in the class, but with a little work, you can see immediate improvement.

Lily

Kipps Elementary

You should join the band because it adds so much more teamwork and hard work to your life, and over many years, you will definitely see yourself improving.

Ariyah

Kipps Elementary

Try new things and don't be afraid to do them, it WILL be worth it in the end.

Georgia

Kipps Elementary

"You've already done so much as a musical group. Imagine what you could do by joining BMS with other musicians at BMS!".

Gus

Kipps Elementary

Band is a really fun class with lots of opportunities for growth

Abraham

Kipps Elementary

It is fun and is something to look forward to in school.

Elijah

Kipps Elementary

If you do band in 8th grade, you don´t have to do Gym 1st period.

Rece

Kipps Elementary

The band is great, and there is only one BMS

Leif

Kipps Elementary

It is really fun, and practicing your instrument is not as hard as it sounds.

Emmy

Kipps Elementary

Band at BMS is an awesome community, and everybody is so friendly. Playing an instrument can be great on a resume for many things.

Claire

Kipps Elementary

In band, you feel welcome, and nobody judges you

Esther

Kipps Elementary

The teachers are great, and playing an instrument is really fun.

Natalie

Kipps Elementary

I think people should join the band because it is really fun, you get to have concerts, you get to have fun with your friends, and learn how to play an instrument.

Rainer

Kipps Elementary

You should join the band because you learn so much more and have so much fun, and at the end of the year, you get to have a fun field trip

Duru

Kipps Elementary

I would tell them that it's a lot of fun to be a part of the band program, and if you join, you won't be sorry!

Ninh

Kipps Elementary

If you like music, join the band to MAKE music.

Tarush

Kipps Elementary

The teachers are nice, and the program provides lots of fun activities to do while in it

Ivy

Kipps Elementary

I would encourage students to join the BMS band program because it is a very fun experience in which you get to learn a lot and showcase your musical talent.

Aiden

Kipps Elementary

Playing instruments is fun, and you get to make friends in the band.

Evan

Kipps Elementary

Other extra classes sucks, except tech ed and robotics, so after that, you are gonna be so bored, so band can "make up" the boring classes and play together as a band, and seeing how much you have progressed is fun.

Thomas

Kipps Elementary, Gilbert Linkous Elementary

We are #1, continue to be #1, BMS WILL DOMINATE!!!!!!!!!!

Sophie

Margaret Beeks Elementary

I would encourage students to join the band program at BMS because they won't be disappointed. There are tons of friends you can make, and competitions as you get older.

Jacoby

Margaret Beeks Elementary

These are the best band directors in the area

Ella

Margaret Beeks Elementary

You should do it, it's really fun, and you get to learn an instrument

Mit

Margaret Beeks Elementary

In band, you will not only get the band experience but also gain so many new friends and life lessons along the way.

Anna

Margaret Beeks Elementary

Band has been a really fun experience! I have loved every minute of it! (except for the quizzes, but they were still fine)

Charles

Margaret Beeks Elementary

Everybody is kind, and the band is super fun.

Emory

Margaret Beeks Elementary

Concerts and field trips are really fun, and playing an instrument is really cool.

Romy

Margaret Beeks Elementary

Being in the band is very fun, you can make many new friends and hang out with the best band teacher EVER!!

Kate (Katherine)

Margaret Beeks Elementary

YOU GET TO GO ON TWO TRIPS TO TWO AMUSEMENT PARKS!

Desmond

Margaret Beeks Elementary

The band is very fun

Audrey

Margaret Beeks Elementary, I attended another elementary school OUTSIDE of the Blacksburg zones

band is the best class. I forget I am even learning things, I just think I am learning how to have a fun day and class.

Savannah

Price's Fork Elementary

The program is designed for everyone, so you'll learn everything you need to know. You'll develop creativity, teamwork, and discipline while making amazing music. You'll get to play at concerts and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Claire

Price's Fork Elementary

JOIN BAND! It's so fun because Mr. Mercy is our teacher

Sofia

Price's Fork Elementary

YOU NEED TO JOIN THE BAND, because playing the clarinet is so much fun, especially because Mr. Mercy will be your teacher, and you get to make fun memories.

Eleanor

Price's Fork Elementary

Even if you don't stay in the band forever, you'll have gained valuable experiences and memories you'll never forget

Annie

Price's Fork Elementary

It can be hard at times, but you will feel so fulfilled as you continue to play, and you will make tons of friends and bond with all the people in your instrument grouping. Practicing at home always feels so fun, and you can brag about your accomplishments to your family. :)

Max

Price's Fork Elementary

You should join the band because it is so much fun, and the second you play your first note, you will realize you made the right decision to join.

Rebecca "Alie"

Price's Fork Elementary

You get to learn a new language, and you will make new friends.

Maddox

Price's Fork Elementary

I would encourage you to join the band because Mr. Mercy is super nice and chill. You won't ever be stressed(can't guarantee you won't be stressed when tests can be scary in front of the class). It's also an easy grade.

Luna

Price's Fork Elementary

"Band is joy, and it means family. and meeting people and having friends, and the band is just fun."

Delaney

Price's Fork Elementary, I attended another elementary school OUTSIDE of the Blacksburg zones

The band is really fun and the teachers are very nice.

Caleb

Price's Fork Elementary, Kipps Elementary

It is very fun

Here is a short video featuring demonstrations and personal experiences from band students. They discuss possibilities and opportunities that each student can enjoy while enrolled in the band program.
Your Middle School Band Directors
Mr. Brian Quakenbush
Mr. Shane Mercy
Welcome to the Blacksburg Middle School Band Program!
​
​The Band Program at Blacksburg Middle School is made up of over 250 of the most dedicated and talented students on campus, each expressing their artistry through our performance ensembles. Our program has been recognized multiple times for excellence in music education. Committed to providing one of the finest middle-level instrumental music experiences in Virginia.
We are fortunate to have the strong and ongoing support of our parents, school administration, and the greater community as we pursue this goal. Thanks to their dedication—and the hard work of our students—our ensembles have earned recognition at the local and state levels.
In 2025, Blacksburg Middle School band
was recognized as a Blue Ribbon School for
​Superior performances at the state level with both band and choir programs.
International Night at BMS 

​November 18th, 2025
Blacksburg 

Middle
​
School 

Band



What our

BAND

students

do?
On October 6th, Auburn High School hosted the Montgomery County All-County Middle School Band event, a remarkable showcase of young talent. This unique ensemble brought together approximately 90 students from all Montgomery County middle school band programs for a day of music-making under the baton of Dr. Nathan Irby, Virginia Tech’s new music education professor.
Blacksburg Middle School was proudly represented, with our students delivering an outstanding performance at the evening’s culminating concert. Their professionalism and musicianship shone brightly. Participating in this intensive and musically enriching event is a true honor, reflecting the dedication and talent of all involved.
Spotlight on Montgomery County: Blacksburg Middle School Advanced Band

Join us in celebrating the vibrant arts programs in Montgomery County! The Blacksburg Middle School Advanced Band is thrilled to be featured in the  with their captivating performance of “Spania” by David Schaffer. This video segment highlights the incredible talent and dedication of our young musicians as they prepare for the upcoming performance.