OUR BAND DIRECTOR
Mr. Francisco R. Williams has been the Director of the Wildcat Band for the past 13 years. Under his leadership, the Wildcat Band has received numerous awards and distinctions, such as:
Additionally, Mr. Williams himself is a well-known, well-loved music teacher in Miami-Dade County. He has served on the Board of the Florida Bandmasters Association, led the Middle School Mass Band, and been selected as Teacher of the Year for South Miami Middle twice, in 2009 and 2015.
Prior to directing the Wildcat Band, Mr. Williams directed the Miami Heat’s Street Band, and taught at Carol City Middle School. He graduated from Florida A&M University and University of West Florida with degrees in Music Education and Educational Leadership, respectively. At FAMU, he was recognized as Most Outstanding Band Member, Most Outstanding Percussion Ensemble Member, Band Vice President, and chapter President of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, among other accolades.
- 1st place in jazz and symphonic band competitions in Florida, Virginia, and Georgia
- High numbers of representatives in All-State and All-County Honor Bands
Additionally, Mr. Williams himself is a well-known, well-loved music teacher in Miami-Dade County. He has served on the Board of the Florida Bandmasters Association, led the Middle School Mass Band, and been selected as Teacher of the Year for South Miami Middle twice, in 2009 and 2015.
Prior to directing the Wildcat Band, Mr. Williams directed the Miami Heat’s Street Band, and taught at Carol City Middle School. He graduated from Florida A&M University and University of West Florida with degrees in Music Education and Educational Leadership, respectively. At FAMU, he was recognized as Most Outstanding Band Member, Most Outstanding Percussion Ensemble Member, Band Vice President, and chapter President of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, among other accolades.
OUR STUDENTS
The South Miami Middle Wildcat Band is made up of around 80-100 students per year in 6th to 8th grades. Students are divided into four performing groups: the Jazz Band, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Beginning Band.
The Wildcat Band magnet program offers a rigorous, structured music education curriculum. All students have two class periods per day dedicated to music theory and music performance. Students select a primary instrument, although they have the opportunity to develop skills on multiple instruments. All students—even the beginners—perform early and often! By the end of middle school, band students are highly proficient in at least one instrument and many students continue in performing arts programs in high school.
To join the band, students apply and audition through the Miami-Dade County Public Schools magnet application process. Prior experience with an instrument or with music education is not required! Some students may have taken music classes in elementary school. For many students, the Wildcat Band is their first entry into music education.
The Wildcat Band magnet program offers a rigorous, structured music education curriculum. All students have two class periods per day dedicated to music theory and music performance. Students select a primary instrument, although they have the opportunity to develop skills on multiple instruments. All students—even the beginners—perform early and often! By the end of middle school, band students are highly proficient in at least one instrument and many students continue in performing arts programs in high school.
To join the band, students apply and audition through the Miami-Dade County Public Schools magnet application process. Prior experience with an instrument or with music education is not required! Some students may have taken music classes in elementary school. For many students, the Wildcat Band is their first entry into music education.
PERFORMING ARTS MAGNET
South Miami Middle Community School is a public school in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Demographically, we are a majority Hispanic school (76%) with 724 students. The band is one of several magnet programs offered to our students.