DHS Bands

Photo Gallery From Music in the Parks Festival

Friday, May 1, 2026   Course Descriptions Below

Course Descriptions

Band

The Dedham High School Band performs music in a wide variety of musical styles. Emphasis is placed on developing instrumental skills, critical listening of many types of music, as well as music theory, form, and basic improvisation. Band students participate in large and small ensemble work,  Performances and events are scheduled throughout the school year, and attendance at those performances is required. **  Other activities include attendance at an open rehearsal of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and participation in an adjudicated festival. All students also have the option of auditioning for junior (9th grade) and senior (10-12th grades) Massachusetts Music Educators Association-Eastern District Festivals and All State Festival (with a recommendation from Eastern District Senior audition).

**Students in the band are expected to attend concerts and other school and community performances throughout the year. 

Honors Band

For students interested in higher levels of music study, Honors Band is scheduled with the concert band, but carries an Honors level of performance expectations. The number and difficulty of recorded and live assessments would reflect the requirements of a college music major audition. Auditioning for District ensembles is expected. Students will submit independent study projects quarterly, and take a lead role in the planning and implementation of school and district music events throughout the year. Available to Grade 10 – 12. 

Prerequisite: Successful audition and interview with band director and one other district teacher. High level of achievement on the band playing benchmarks in 9th grade.

Jazz Band

Jazz band is open to all interested players and rehearses Monday evenings, 6:30-8:00 in the DHS band room under the direction of Mr. Bill O'Connor.

Typical Yearly Band Events

The following band events occur during the school year though some may be on a rotating basis (italicized). Participation of events in bold is expected of all band members; those with an asterisk are understood as events for which family events/plans may conflict. 

• Pep Rally (during school day)

• DPS Curriculum Night (small groups)

• Sr. District Auditions (interested solosists)

• BSO Open Rehearsal Field Trip (during school day)

• *Turkey Trot Start 

• *Dedham Holiday Stroll/Tree Lighting

• DHS Winter Concert

• Winter Music Share (during school day)

• *Town-wide MLK, Jr. Celebration 

• Jr. District Auditions 

• All Town Band Concert

• Don Heald Night of Jazz (Jazz Band only)

• Music in the Parks Festival

• DHS Spring Concert

• *DHS Graduation

• *Dedham Flag Day Parade 

Summer Music Programs

Dedham School of Music, Dedham, MA https://dedhamschoolofmusic.org/

Plugged In Band Program, Needham, MA https://www.pluggedinband.org/

Rivers School Conservatory, Weston, MA https://riversschoolconservatory.org/programs/summer-programs/

Camp Encore Coda, Sweden, ME https://encorecoda.com/

Resources for Lessons

Click HERE for an extensive list.