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, and is meticulously crafted for first-year band students. In Beginning Band, musicians are guided through the rudiments of their chosen instruments, laying a solid foundation for the rest of their musical journey. This ensemble performs 3 concerts a year, captivating audiences 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

Building on the skills acquired in Beginning Band, Wind Ensemble is tailored for 2nd and 3rd year musicians. Throughout the year, students in Wind Ensemble will perform 3-5 concerts a year. Aspiring to greater heights, students in this class must perform a solo @ FBA Solo & Ensemble. They are also encouraged to try out for the Alachua County Honor Band.

* Advanced students who cannot attend morning rehearsals will be placed in this ensemble. *

Symphonic Band

Symphonic Band is an advanced performing group that challenges Fort Clarke's most dedicated band students with difficult literature. This advanced ensemble challenges its members with demanding repertoire, pushing the boundaries of their musical aptitude.

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.

Aspiring to greater heights, every Symphonic Band member auditions for the Alachua County Honor Band and will perform a solo and ensemble @ FBA Solo & Ensemble.

These students are also highly encouraged to audition for the Florida All-State Band.

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, as well as other opportunities year-to-year.

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

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 among 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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