Bands & Classes

Grades: 6 - 7

Prerequisites: None

Co-requisites: None (Suggested: Private Lessons)

      This class introduces students to instruments from the woodwind, brass, and percussion family. Students choose three instruments from these families to learn, and participate in an aptitude test to ensure compatibility. Percussion students will learn battery and pitched percussion simultaneously and in rotation with other percussionists. Students who chose a woodwind instrument can learn to play flute or clarinet, and will have the ability to audition in semester two to learn alto, tenor, or bari sax, oboe, or bass clarinet. Students who chose a brass instrument can learn the trumpet or baritone (euphonium), and will be able to audition in semester two into trombone, tuba, or French horn. This group uses "Accent on Achievement Book 1". All students are expected to have an instrument with case and name tag, binder with music in sheet protectors, ultra-fine expo markers, all appropriate supplies, method book, music stand for home practice, a metronome, and a tuner.

Grades: 7 - 8

Prerequisites: Cadet Band (or equivalent via audition)

Co-requisites: None (Suggested: Private lessons)

This class refines and expands skills learned in Cadet Band. Students also have new instrument options. Woodwind players can choose to play the piccolo, oboe, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, bass clarinet, and bassoon in addition to instruments offered in Cadet Band. Brass players can choose French Horn (double-horn), trombone with F attachment, and tuba in addition to instruments offered in Cadet Band. This group uses "Accent on Achievement Book 2".  All students are expected to have an instrument with case and name tag, all appropriate supplies, band binder with music in sheet protectors, ultra-fine expo markers, stand for home practice, a metronome, and a tuner.

Grades 8 - 12

Prerequisites: Stars & Stripes (or director approval)

Co-requisites: None (Suggested: Private lessons)

This class refines and expands skills learned in Stars and Stripes Band, in the context of a concert band (winds & percussion). This group focuses on learning sheet music, chorales, scales, tuning, and other technical exercises. Music Theory is incorporated into the curriculum for this class as well. This group performs formal concerts in the Phoenix Room, informal concerts during the school day and attends local and regional festivals. Students in this group can audition for local honor bands, statewide honor bands, and even national groups. All students are expected to have an instrument with case and name tag, "Habits of a Successful Musician" book, all appropriate supplies, band binder with music in sheet protectors, ultra-fine expo markers, stand for home practice, a metronome, and a tuner.

Grades 10 - 12 (via audition)

Prerequisites: Liberty Symphonic Band (or equivalent), successful audition

Co-requisites: None (Suggested: Private lessons)

This class refines and expands skills learned in Stars and Stripes Band, in the context of a full orchestra (strings, winds, percussion). This group focuses on learning sheet music, chorales, scales, tuning, and other technical exercises. Music Theory is incorporated into the curriculum for this class as well. This group performs formal concerts in the Phoenix Room, informal concerts during the school day and attends local and regional festivals. Students in this group can audition for local honor bands, statewide honor bands, and even national groups. All students are expected to have an instrument with case and name tag, "Habits of a Successful Musician" book, all appropriate supplies, band binder with music in sheet protectors, ultra-fine expo markers, stand for home practice, a metronome, and a tuner.

Grades: 7-10

Prerequisites: Stars & Stripes or higher, Successful Audition, Open Space

Co-requisites: Stars & Stripes (7/8) or Liberty Symphonic Band (8-10) or Phoenix Symphony (10-12)

This class is a jazz big band designed for beginning through intermediate jazz musicians. The band will aim to fill the following instrumentation:

2 Alto Saxophones

2 Tenor Saxophones

1 Baritone Saxophone

5 Trumpets

5 Trombones

Drum Set, Upright or Electric Bass, Guitar, & Piano

At director's discretion, exceptions via audition may be made for extended instrumentation (flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, french horn, tuba [sousaphone], accordion) and "Junior" positions for younger players.

After students register at the end of the school year, the roster will be adjusted based on successful auditions, instrumentation needs, and student achievements in Stars and Stripes Band (or equivalent class). All students are expected to have an instrument with case and name tag, all appropriate supplies, Essential Elements for Jazz Ensemble method book, The Real Easy Book vol.1, band binder with sheet protectors for music, ultra-fine expo markers, stand for home practice, a metronome, and a tuner.

Grades: 10 - 12

Prerequisites: Liberty Symphonic Band, Successful Audition, Open Space

Co-Requisites: Liberty Symphonic Band (8-10) or Phoenix Symphony (10-12) or Equivalent/Private lessons

Currently, this class is a jazz improvisation-based course where students perform in a jazz combo setting. Subsequent years, depending on instrumentation availability, it will be an advanced Big Band with an extended focus on small group jazz.

The band will aim to fill the following instrumentation:

2 Alto Saxophones

2 Tenor Saxophones

1 Baritone Saxophone

5 Trumpets

5 Trombones

Drum Set, Upright or Electric Bass, Guitar, & Piano

Auditions may also be made for extended instrumentation or voice.

Students will be expected to improvise, arrange, and compose during the course of this class. This class also performs after school and on weekends at formal concerts, informal concerts, and contests. Students in this group can audition for local honor bands, statewide honor bands, and even national groups. All students are expected to have an instrument with case and name tag, all appropriate supplies, Essential Elements for Jazz Ensemble 2, The Real Easy Book vol.2, band binder with sheet protectors for music, ultra-fine expo markers, stand for home practice, a metronome, and a tuner.