The Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School Band is made up of over two hundred 6th, 7th, and 8th graders in three different levels of band. Students range in ability level from beginners through advanced students.
The band is well traveled. In 2012 and 2014, the band traveled to Los Angeles, California and performed at Disneyland in addition to participating in some wonderful educational experiences in Los Angeles, including live concerts, the Grammy Museum, and the Los Angeles Natural History Museum. When the band is not traveling to the mainland, they travel to Oahu to participate in festivals and attend concerts.
The bands can be seen in numerous performances throughout the year on Kaua`i, including the Winter Concert, Spring Concert, Lights on Rice Parade, Veteran's Day Parade, and Solo and Ensemble Festival. In addition to three levels of concert bands, the CKMS Band has a Jazz Band and Percussion Class that meet after-school. In the Jazz Band, students learn to improvise and play different styles of music. All participants are volunteers. The Percussion Class is for students from any of the three levels of band to learn how to improvise and play in different styles of music.