Symphonic
Band
The
Wind Ensemble is an auditioned group consisting of grades 9-12
and meets in the spring semester during 6th hour. Auditions
take place in the fourth quarter and include incoming freshman.
The group follows district curriculum, which corresponds with
MENC and MMEA Standards. Focus throughout the spring semester
is on sight reading skills, theory, intonation, tone, balance,
tendencies of each instrument, reed choice, mouthpiece choice
and standard literature and new literature for band. The level
of the music varies from low grade 4 literature to grade 5 literature.
Performances include two spring concerts and district organizational/solo
and ensemble competition. Students from this ensemble are nominated
for various honors bands that include the Western Illinois University
Honors Band, the SIU Bi-State Honors Band, South East Missouri
State Honors Band and the Jefferson County Honors Band. These
members are also eligible to audition for All-District Band
in the fall semester.
Concert Band
The
Concert Band is a non-auditioned group consisting of grades
9-12 that forms at the end of marching season to perform a Winter
Concert. It meets again in the spring semester during 4th hour.
The group follows district curriculum, which corresponds with
MENC and MMEA Standards. Focus is on sight reading skills, theory,
intonation, tone, balance, tendencies of each instrument and
standard literature and new literature for band. The level of
the music varies from high grade 2 literature to low grade 4
literature. Performances include a winter concert, two spring
concerts and district organization/solo and ensemble competition.
Students from this ensemble are eligible to audition for All-District
Band in the fall semester, and a select few may be eligible
for honors band nominations.
Lab
Band
This class
is offered to those individuals who need playing, reading and
fundamental skills reiforcement. This class is also available
to those wanting to learn a new instrument. The class will focus
on the fundamentals of reading, articulations, tone production,
intonation, phrasing, style, dynamics, musicality and general
music theory. The class is performanced based within the class,
but will not have live performances.
8th
Grade Band
The
8th Grade Band consists of 70 students and meets all year during
2nd hour. The group follows district curriculum, which corresponds
with MENC and MMEA Standards. Focus throughout the year is on
sight reading, expanding range, intonation, tone, balance, tendencies
of each intrument and standard and new literature for middle
school bands. The level of music varies from grade 2 to grade
3. Performances include a fall and spring pep rally, plus a
winter concert and two spring concerts. These students are eligible
for nomination to the Jefferson County Middle School Honors
Band and they are eligible to audition for the High School Wind
Ensemble and Jazz Band.
7th
Grade Band
The
7th Grade Band consists of 70 students and meets all year during
3nd hour. The group follows district curriculum, which corresponds
with MENC and MMEA Standards. Focus throughout the year is on
sight reading, expanding range, intonation, tone, balance, tendencies
of each intrument and standard and new literature for middle
school bands. The level of music varies from grade 1 to grade
1-1/2. Performances include a fall, winter and spring concert.
These students are eligible for nomination to the Jefferson
County Middle School Honors Band. Students will have the availability
to explore new instruments, such as the Tuba, Bass Clarinet,
Baritone Sax, and the Oboe.
6th Grade Band
The
6th Grade Band consists of 100 students who have never experienced
playing an instrument. They meet daily all school year. Instruction
begins with like instruments in small groups to accomodate a
one on one teaching method. The small groups are: Woodwinds,
Brass and Percussion. Instruction includes instrument care and
maintenance, embouchure (placement of the mouth on the reed
or mouthpiece), breathing, posture and instruction in reading
music. By the end of 6th grade the student will be able to perform
music at 1 to 1 1/2 grade level. The 6th grade performs at Christmas
and they have two concerts at the end of the school year.
