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The Band Programs |
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The Band Programs |
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Credit: 1 unit Eligible Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12 Concert Band is the entry level band course at South High. A great majority of incoming freshmen students will be placed in Concert Band after an audition at each of the Middle Schools. The course offers all students with excellent performing and reading skills an opportunity to pursue their interests in the band experience. Along with the enjoyment of playing in a large ensemble filled with students from other middle schools, students will meet in three groups of like instruments. Through these smaller groups, students will continue to develop playing skills, rhythmic and pitch accuracy, and the ability to sight read. This full year course rehearses daily and requires extra time commitments for performances. Concert Band will perform at three major concerts during the school year, and all students will participate in a small ensemble during the third quarter. SYMPHONIC BAND Credit: 1 unit Eligible Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12 The Symphonic Band is one of the top three band courses offered at South High School, and membership requires a serious commitment to excellent performance. Musical literature is both moderate and advanced, and is selected to achieve a large symphonic sound. Prerequisites include accurate demonstration of technical and musical ability through testing in scales, rhythm, tone, sight reading and intonation. This full year course, which meets daily, offers activities including concert, festival, solo/ensemble, and organizational contest performances requiring extra time commitments for evenings and weekends. Symphonic Band will perform at three major concerts during the school year, and all students will participate in a small ensemble during the third quarter. WIND SYMPHONY Credit: 1 unit Eligible Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12 The Wind Symphony is the second highest of the 5 concert bands, and membership requires a serious commitment to excellent performance. Membership in both the Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony will be selected in the spring based on two auditions that will include IMEA etudes, sight reading and personal selections from each student. Musical literature for Wind Symphony is advanced, and many times the difficulty level is exactly the same as the Wind Ensemble. Prerequisites include accurate demonstration of technical and musical ability through the audition process, and membership in one of the other concert bands for at least one year (with the exception of extremely talented freshmen that may be selected through the January audition process in 8th grade). This full year course, which meet daily offers activates including concert, festival, solo/ensemble, and organizational contest performances requiring extra time commitments for evenings and weekends. Wind Symphony will perform at four major concerts during the school year, and all students will participate in a small ensemble during the third quarter. WIND ENSEMBLE Credit: 1 unit Eligible Grade Level: 10, 11, 12 The Wind Ensemble is the top band course offered at South High School, and membership requires a serious commitment to superior performance. Membership in both the Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony will be selected in the spring based on two auditions that will include IMEA etudes, sight reading and personal selections from each student. Students are urged to begin or continue private lessons as member of this ensemble. Musical literature is advanced, and is selected to achieve a smaller chamber wind sound. Prerequisites include completely accurate demonstration of technical and musical ability through the audition process, and membership in one of the other concert bands for at least one year. Winds and percussion are selected through audition to perform with the District Orchestra for two or three concerts each year. Winds and percussion may also be selected from Wind Ensemble to perform in the pit orchestra of the annual A Cappella Choir Musical. This full year course, which meets daily, offers activities including concert, festival, solo/ensemble, and organizational contest performances requiring extra time commitments for evenings and weekends. Wind Ensemble will perform at four major concerts during the school year, and all students will participate in a small ensemble during the third quarter. JAZZ ENSEMBLE.....Calendar Credit: 1 unit Eligible Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12 The Jazz Ensemble program provides music students with an opportunity to explore all forms of jazz literature through the study of "big band," combo, and modern jazz literature. While performing jazz music, students will be encouraged to expand their creativity through the process of "improvisation." Jazz Ensemble will perform in four to five concerts each year, and will attend three or four Jazz Festivals. Wind and percussion players must maintain membership in one of the 5 concert bands as a prerequisite for registration in Jazz Ensemble or Jazz Lab Band. Both groups will be selected in spring for the following year based on an audition process that includes a prepared piece, improvisation, and a transcription of a professional jazz soloist. The membership of each group will be limited to standard instrumentation of 5 saxophones, 5 trumpets, 4 or 5 trombones, 2 percussionists, and 1 each of piano, bass, vibraphone and/or guitar. Additional types of instruments may be selected bases on audition results. This course, together with Jazz Lab Band, will be scheduled as an Early Bird class (7:00-7:50 a.m.), and will rehearse five days a week. Jazz classes will be combined once a week for group study in areas of like instruments, and improvisational and listening techniques. All students in both groups must provide their own transportation. JAZZ LAB BAND Credit: 1 unit Eligible Grade Level: 9, 10, 11 12 The Jazz Lab Band program provides music students with an introductory and intermediate level opportunity to explore the basic forms of jazz music including swing, Latin jazz, ballad, and fusion. While learning and performing jazz music, students will be encouraged to expand their creativity through the process of "improvisation." Jazz Lab Band will perform on two concerts each year, and attend one Jazz Festival. Wind and percussion players must maintain membership in one of the 5 concert bands as a prerequisite for registration in Jazz Ensemble or Jazz Lab Band. Both groups will be selected in spring for the following year based on an audition process that includes a prepared piece, improvisation, and a transcription of a professional jazz soloist. The membership of each group will be limited to standard instrumentation of 5 saxophones, 5 trumpets, 4 or 5 trombones, 2 percussionists, and 1 each of piano, bass, vibraphone and/or guitar. Additional types of instruments may be selected bases on audition results. This course, together with Jazz Ensemble, will be scheduled as an Early Bird class (7:00-7:50 a.m.), and will rehearse five days a week. Jazz classes will be combined once a week for group study in areas of like instruments, and improvisational and listening techniques. All students in both groups must provide their own transportation. JAZZ RESOURCE (JAZZ BAND III) Credit: none Eligible Grade Level: 9, 10, 11 12 The jazz resource period is available during 5th period lunch/resource for any students that desire beginning instruction (students not enrolled in one of the two jazz classes) or additional (those currently enrolled) instruction in jazz styles and improvisation. The group will develop and perform according to the ability and instrumentation of the student enrolled. Rehearsals will begin two days a week following the Thanksgiving break. MARCHING MUSTANGS.....Important Forms to be filled out Credit: None Eligible Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12 Extra-curricular with any of the 5 concert bands |
