Fine Arts
Fine Arts Program at Lanier Middle School
Band
Band Director
Mr. Hancock
The Performance Standard: Pride in the Program
At Lanier Middle School, our bands are the musical face of our community. Each grade-level ensemble represents our school at public performances, and we take great pride in putting forth a "top-notch" musical product. We believe that the discipline of the rehearsal room leads to the magic of the stage.
The Stage Experience
Performance is a core part of the musical journey. In alignment with the GCPS Academic Knowledge and Skills (AKS) standards, every band student will participate in at least two major concerts per year. These performances are the culmination of months of hard work, where students transition from individual players to one cohesive, professional-sounding ensemble.
What We Build Together:
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Artistic Excellence: Refining our sound to meet the highest standards of middle school performance.
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Stage Presence: Learning the etiquette and confidence required to perform in front of a live audience.
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Academic Achievement: Mastering the state-mandated skills through active, public application.
6th Grade
The Musician’s Path: Getting Started
No experience? No problem! Every great musician starts with a single note. At Lanier Middle, we believe that talent is grown, not just found. Our program is designed to guide students from their very first breath into an instrument to a lifetime of musical passion.
Finding Your Sound
During the first few weeks of school, students dive into the fundamentals of music through interactive classroom activities. This "Discovery Phase" allows students to test-drive various instruments to find the perfect match for their unique strengths and interests.
7th Grade
The Advanced Ensemble: Elevating Your Artistry
Take your performance to the next level. Our advanced band program is designed for musicians who have already found their rhythm and are ready to tackle more complex challenges. This is where individual skill meets high-level ensemble performance, preparing students for the rigors of high school music and beyond.
Pre-Requisites for Success
To ensure the ensemble can perform advanced repertoire, students must have:
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At least 1 year of previous band experience, OR
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A substantial period of private lessons on a band instrument.
Areas of Focus: The Professional Standard
We move beyond the fundamentals to focus on the nuances that define great musicianship:
🎼 Advanced Literacy & Composition
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The Language of Music: Deepening notation reading skills and expanding musical vocabulary to analyze the relationship between the elements of music.
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The Creative Voice: Functioning as a true musician by composing, performing, and evaluating original and established musical works.
🎺 Technical Precision
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Mastery of Form: Refining posture and instrument-specific techniques (wind or percussion) to achieve a professional sound.
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Pro-Active Maintenance: Mastering the care and maintenance of your instrument to ensure peak performance every day.
👂 Critical Listening & Blend
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The "Ensemble Ear": Developing discriminating skills in tone and intonation to ensure the band sounds like one unified instrument.
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Balance & Nuance: Learning how to adjust your volume and style to perfectly blend with the ensemble during complex repertoire.
🌟 Legacy & Leadership
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A Diverse Repertoire: Performing a wide range of music literature, from classical masterpieces to modern compositions.
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Lifelong Advocacy: Strengthening the director-student relationship and building the foundation to become a lifelong musician and advocate for the arts.
8th Grade
The Symphonic Band: Mastery & Leadership
Welcome to the premier tier of the Lanier Middle School Band program. The Symphonic Band is our top-level performing group, designed for students who have dedicated years to their craft and are ready for the highest level of musical challenge. Here, we move beyond "playing the notes" to focus on the emotional power and technical precision of elite, full-ensemble literature.
Pre-Requisites for the Premier Level
To maintain the advanced pace of this ensemble, students must meet one of the following:
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At least 2 years of previous band experience, OR
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A substantial period of specialized private study on their instrument.
Areas of Focus: The Artist’s Curriculum
At this level, we expect excellence and foster a deep, intellectual connection to music:
🎼 Comprehensive Musicianship
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The Elements of Relation: Developing a master-level understanding of how notation, vocabulary, and theory intersect to create complex musical works.
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The Composer's Perspective: Taking on the role of the creator—not just performing, but composing and evaluating music with a critical, artistic eye.
🎺 Technical Artistry
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Refined Habits: Polishing posture and advanced techniques (fingering, embouchure, or percussion grip) to produce a signature, characteristic sound.
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Maintenance Mastery: Treating your instrument with the respect of a professional, ensuring it is always in peak condition for performance.
👂 Professional Ensemble Listening
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Intonation & Tone: Developing a "discriminating ear" to adjust pitch and tone in real-time, ensuring perfect harmonic alignment with the entire ensemble.
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The Art of the Blend: Mastering the subtle balance required to lead as a soloist one moment and disappear into the texture of the brass, woodwind, or percussion sections the next.
🌟 Global Citizenship & Advocacy
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Expansive Repertoire: Exploring a wide and challenging library of music literature that spans different eras, cultures, and styles.
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The Lifetime Musician: Building a lasting partnership with the director and peers, fostering a commitment to the arts that will continue long after leaving middle school.
Chorus
Chorus Director
Ms. Novitske

Lanier Middle School Chorus: Raise Your Voice
Join a legacy of musical excellence. The Lanier Middle School Chorus is one of the largest and most celebrated programs in the county. Whether you are a seasoned performer or someone who just loves to sing in the shower, our program offers a stage for everyone.
From local community performances to prestigious state-wide evaluations, our singers build the skills, confidence, and friendships that last a lifetime. No prior experience is needed—just a passion for music!
A Tradition of Excellence
Our program is a consistent leader in the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) events. Year after year, Lanier Middle School receives Superior and Excellent ratings at the Large Group Performance Evaluation, proving that our students are among the best in the state.
Beyond the Classroom: The Spotlight Awaits
The Lanier Middle School Chorus doesn't just stay in the rehearsal room. We take our music to the biggest stages in Georgia:
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The Big Leagues: We have performed for the Atlanta Braves, the Harlem Globe Trotters, and the Atlanta Gladiators.
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Prestige: Our voices have echoed through the Georgia Governor’s Mansion.
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Champions: In 2019, our Mixed Chorus took home 1st Place at the Music in the Parks Dollywood Festival.
Individual Honors & Extra-Curriculars
We empower our students to reach for the stars. With over 100 students auditioning for the District 13 Honor Chorus annually and a consistent presence of All-State Chorus finalists, our program is a launchpad for young talent.
Orchestra

The Strings Studio: Orchestra with Ms. Brown
Find your rhythm in the heart of the ensemble. The Lanier Middle School Orchestra is a vibrant, three-year journey where students master the art of the violin, viola, cello, and double bass. Whether you are drawing your first bow or refining a concerto, our program is a place where talent is nurtured and excellence is the standard.
Through a mix of rigorous technique and world-class performance opportunities, students transform from individual players into a powerful, unified voice.
A Legacy of Excellence
Our orchestra is more than a classroom; it is a competitive, award-winning program. Year after year, our students represent Lanier with pride:
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Superior Standards: Consistently achieving "Superior" ratings at Georgia state musical evaluations.
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Regional Champions: Award-winning performances at Music in the Parks in Tennessee.
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Global Stages: Students participate in exciting field trips and adjudicated competitions that build confidence and character.
The Musician’s Development:
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Technical Mastery: Developing elite technique and posture on your chosen string instrument.
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Musical Literacy: Mastering the language of music through advanced notation reading and theory.
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Chamber & Ensemble Play: Learning the delicate art of collaboration in both small chamber groups and the full string orchestra.
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Lifelong Passion: Fostering a deep, enduring love for music that continues long after the final curtain call.
