Class Descriptions

ADVANCED BAND-Winds 

Our Advanced Band-Winds Class is  for all students that play a wind instrument such as flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, french horn/mellophone, trombone, baritone/euphonium, or tuba. This course is designed to ensure all students receive a well-rounded music education on their instrument. All students enrolled in the class will participate in marching band as part of the curriculum. Marching band participation includes May (of the previous year) marching training, rehearsals throughout the summer, late summer band camp, outside of the school day rehearsals and performances throughout the fall semester. The Marching Band performs at Varsity Football Games, Pep Ralleyd, community events, Parades, and competes in marching competitions in the fall. Once marching season ends in early November, the band transitions into Concert Band Season. 

ADVANCED BAND-Percussion/Colorguard . 

Our Advanced Band-Percussion/Colorguard Class is an extension of the regular band class designed to give percussionists and guard members individualized and group instruction on various percussion instruments and equipment. This course is designed to ensure all students receive a well-rounded education on their craft. All students enrolled in the class will participate in marching band as part of the curriculum. Marching band participation includes May (of the previous year) marching training, rehearsals throughout the summer, late summer band camp, outside of the school day rehearsals and performances throughout the fall semester. The Marching Band performs at Varsity Football Games, Pep Ralleyd, community events, Parades, and competes in marching competitions in the fall.  Once marching season ends in early November, percussionists and guard transition into Winter Drumline, Winter Guard season. This time also allows our percussionists to learn percussion ensemble repertoire, and study the various percussion instruments. 

Titan Pride Marching Band: 

The Titan Pride Marching Band performs at all home varsity football games, some away games, and at several state-wide marching band festivals. All instruments are welcome and auditions are not required. The Marching Band meets for two weeks during the summer for music and field training. Once school starts, the band meets daily during their assigned class times and rehearses on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. during the season. Marching band members are required to attend summer marching camp. There is a small fee for each block of camp that goes towards staff pay, drill, festival fees, food, supplies and travel expenses. 

Advanced Concert Band: 

The THS Concert Band performs both traditional and contemporary works for band. This group attends several festivals and performs in public numerous times during the course of the semester. All instruments are welcome and auditions are not required. The THS Concert Band meets daily (excluding Wednesdays) from 6:45 to 7:45 a.m. at the conclusion of marching season. 

Jazz I Blue BIG BAND 

Big Band is the premier jazz ensemble at Thunderbird High School. This is a very prestigious and competitive group. The focus of this ensemble is to perform literature and build skills that will prepare the students for playing jazz beyond high school. Outside of class practice is mandatory and there will be additional listening assignments. Membership is determined by audition. This group rehearses daily during 1st Period. 

Members of this group must currently be participating in marching band or have been a member of the THS marching band for at least three full seasons.

Jazz II Orange

Jazz Orange is a Jazz Intro Class that is focused on building skills to prepare individuals for entry to Jazz Blue Big Band. The group will perform at THS concerts, and community events. Outside of class practice is mandatory and there will be additional listening assignments. This group rehearses daily during 3rd period.

ORCHESTRA

 Orchestra rehearses 2nd period daily and performs a variety of concerts including the District Concert Festival in March. All concerts are mandatory.