Advanced Band (Sym. Band)

This one-year course is divided into two-semester parts: marching band and concert band. The marching band involves learning music for parades, halftime shows, pep rallies, and band reviews. The concert band, referenced as Symphonic Band, plays music literature from different eras written for concert, symphonic, and wind ensemble musical groups. Small ensemble groups (woodwind, brass, percussion) are initiated for community events and participation in solo and small ensemble county festivals. These students belong to a performing organization that provides opportunities and experiences permitting them to participate and progress to their fullest potential. Instruction includes general music education in the areas of major/minor scales, chord construction, and sight-reading difficult rhythm patterns. All members are required to practice outside the school day. Periodic individual auditions are scheduled to validate this procedure and rate results into a section seating order. Students have the opportunity to listen to audio band music recordings and watch videos of musical groups in marching and concert band performance. Required listening includes classical, contemporary, baroque, and other music styles. Records of student assignments and audition scores are kept by the teacher for semester grading purposes.