Wind Ensemble is the top band course offered at South High School, and membership requires a serious commitment to superior performance. Students are urged to begin or continue private lessons as member of this ensemble. Musical literature is advanced and requires outside preparation and practice. 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. 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. 

The Symphonic Band is second of three band courses offered at South High School, and membership requires a serious commitment to excellent performance. Musical literature is both moderate and advanced. 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. This full year course, which meets daily, offers activities including concert, festival, and solo/ensemble. Symphonic Band will perform at three major concerts during the school year, and all students will participate in a small ensembles.

Concert Band is the entry level band course at South High. All incoming freshmen woodwind and brass players will be placed in this ensemble. The course offers all students with excellent performing and reading skills an opportunity to pursue their interests in the band experience. Students will 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. 

Percussion Ensemble (aka "Percussion Band") is for all percussionists enrolled in DGS Bands. This class is separate to focus on specific techniques and fundamentals related to all things percussion. Students will be assigned to perform concerts and literature with each of the three concert bands. This full year course offers activities including concert, festival, solo/ensemble, and organizational contest performances requiring extra time commitments for evenings and weekends. 

Jazz Ensemble is the top jazz band course offered at South High School, and membership requires a serious commitment to superior performance. Membership is 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 per group. 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. Jazz Ensemble will perform in four to five concerts each year, and will attend three or four Jazz Festivals. 

**All wind players must be enrolled in a concert band class in order to audition.**

**New to the 2026-2027 School Year: Jazz Ensemble will be a curricular class that meets during the 1-8 period day. Jazz Lab Band and Jazz Workshop will still remain in the early bird class period. Students wanting to fit Jazz Ensemble during the day can take early bird PE as an option for their schedule.**

Jazz Lab Band & Workshop are the introductory and intermediate jazz band courses offered at South High School. Both courses meet as an Early Bird class (7:00-7:50 a.m.) and rehearse five days a week where they are encouraged to expand their creativity through the process of improvisation. Both bands 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. Jazz Workshop & Lab Band will perform on two or three concerts each year. 

**All wind players must be enrolled in a concert band class in order to audition.**