ENSEMBLES

Beginning Band

Open to ANYONE regardless of experience. Designed for students who have never played an instrument and for students who play at the beginning level. This band is composed of primarily 6th and 7th grade students. This ensemble performs 3 concerts a year in October, December and May, and has three required after-school rehearsals. Students also have the opportunity to perform a solo @ FBA Solo & Ensemble.

Wind Ensemble

For 2nd and 3rd year musicians. Students who have successfully completed Beginning Band will be enrolled in this class. This is the normal path of progression. Students in Wind Ensemble will perform 3-5 concerts a year. Students in this class must perform a solo @ FBA Solo & Ensemble. Advanced students who cannot attend morning rehearsals will be placed in this ensemble.

Symphonic Band

For students who have been playing an instrument for at least one year and have demonstrated the ability to play at an advanced level. This band is composed primarily of 7th and 8th grade students. Symphonic Band meets two times per week before school on Wednesday and Fridays. Symphonic Band is the premier performing component of the FCMS BAND PROGRAM. Students in Symphonic Band will perform 6-10 concerts a year, and will perform a solo and ensemble @ FBA Solo & Ensemble. BY AUDITION ONLY.

Students wishing to participate in Symphonic Band are strongly encouraged to take Private Lessons.

Jazz Band

For students who have been playing an instrument for more than one year and play at the advanced level. This band meets before school on Mondays and Thursdays, and is composed of 7th and 8th graders. Students must commit for the entire school-year once rehearsals begin, and must be willing to treat Jazz Band as an extra class. This ensemble performs 4-8 concerts per year. Students will perform @ FBA Jazz MPA and Lakeside Jazz Festival in Port Orange.

*Students must be enrolled in a Fort Clarke Band Class in order to participate in this unique opportunity. BY AUDITION ONLY.

Advanced Percussion

For all percussion students who have completed 1 year of Beginning Band. Students will be assigned to perform with either Wind Ensemble or Symphonic Band and will be expected to attend the extra rehearsals for their respective ensemble. Students will work on the fundamentals of percussion performance which includes experiencing and mastering different techniques across of a variety of instruments. They will be responsible for knowing how to handle each piece of equipment, as well as the technique required to play it. Students will be assigned parts on a rotating basis. Students in Advanced Percussion will perform 3-10 concerts a year, and will perform solos and ensembles @ FBA Solo & Ensemble.

Chamber Music

Students at Fort Clarke have the opportunity to study and perform chamber music throughout the year. These include solos & small chamber ensembles (duets, trios, quartets, etc.). Students in Symphonic Band and Advanced Percussion are also placed into choirs (Woodwind Choir, Brass Choir, Percussion Choir). Our chamber music studies culminate with the Florida Bandmasters Association District 4 Solo & Ensemble Music Performance Assessment (Solo & Ensemble for short).

Award Winning

The Fort Clarke Band has a proud and distinguished history, recognized as one of the nation's top middle school band programs. In 2011, under the direction of Everett McConn, the program was awarded the prestigious Sudler Cup by the John Philip Sousa Foundation. This award is given to middle and junior high school concert bands that have demonstrated outstanding musical excellence over a period of time. To date, only two bands from Florida have received this award!

Today, the Fort Clarke Band continues this tradition of excellence. Our students are regularly selected for All-County and All-State Bands, and our ensembles consistently earn Superior ratings - the highest possible - at our state adjudicated assessments.

Whether you're a returning member or joining for the first time, there's never been a better time to be part of the Fort Clarke Band!

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