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Band

Concert

Concert Band is offered to all students with previous experience on a traditional band instrument. Continued emphasis is given to the development of musicianship and basic skills through a large repertoire of appropriate level band literature. The Concert Band gives concerts throughout the year, including the fall Pops Concert, Holiday Spectacular, Kentucky Music Educators Association (KMEA) District Festival, and Spring Concert. Students are encouraged to participate in Pep Band, Marching Band, and Solo and Ensemble Festival and to audition for All-County Band, All-State Band, and All-Star Marching Band. Student involvement in concert and performance activities will be part of the grading process for this course. Periodically, there are special events, rehearsals, or concerts during nonschool hours. Participation in such activities is an essential extension of the requirements. An instrumental class is part of this course offering.

Jazz

Jazz Band is a select instrumental organization that meets one afternoon a week during the spring semester. Students learn the techniques of swing, jazz, and popular style music. Since rehearsals and performances are held outside of the school day, attendance at these activities is a required part of this course. The Jazz Band will play one concert each spring with the Percussion Ensemble and sometimes might travel on a “mini-tour” to area middle schools to perform.

Percussion

Percussion Ensemble provides an opportunity for all Percussion students to participate in Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and/or Wind Ensemble. Students will receive training in marching band skills and small percussion ensembles. Students will learn the concepts of rhythm, texture, balance, blend, and rudiments as they develop their role as ensemble members. The Percussion Ensemble will perform on select concerts throughout the year, including a spring concert with Jazz Band, Solo and Ensemble Festival, and possibly a tour of the area middle schools.

Symphonic

Symphonic Band is made up of a select group of instrumental music students who thrive on the challenge of difficult wind literature. The type of literature performed is designed for an ensemble of fewer than 65 players and focuses primarily on contemporary music. These students are selected for Symphonic Band through an audition process in the spring semester before the next school year. The Symphonic Band gives concerts throughout the year, including the fall Pops Concert, Veteran’s Day Program, Holiday Spectacular, KMEA District Festival, and Spring Concert. Students are encouraged to participate in Pep Band, Marching Band, and Solo and Ensemble Festival and to audition for All-County Band, All-State Band, and All-Star Marching Band. Student involvement in concert and performance activities will be part of the grading process for this course. Periodically, there are special events, rehearsals, or concerts during nonschool hours. Participation in such activities is an essential extension of the requirements. An instrumental class is part of this course offering.