Welcome to the West High School Viking Regiment Program Website!
On this website, you will find the necessary information about each of our instrumental programs. The West High Viking Regiment Programs are under the direction of Mrs. Erin Lopez Wander. The Viking Regiment is comprised of the following classes:
Orchestra:
This class is open to string musicians only, and meets year round during 6th period. The wind and percussion section will be comprised of the 1st chair musicians in Symphonic Band. The first semester will involve working on concert literature, technical studies, and ensemble sound for performance. This ensemble performs at concerts, festivals, and other related events. This course meets the district graduation requirements for Fine Arts Credit. Click here to see the Orchestra Page
Marching Band Group:
This performance-based class provides training in music and marching maneuvers for field shows and parades. This group will travel extensively during the first semester, performing at all home varsity football games, morning school spirit rallies, and 3 to 5 competitions around the state. This is a 7th period class that meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6pm-9pm. This is a one-semester class that meets the district graduation requirements for Fine Arts credit. CLICK HERE FOR THE MARCHING BAND INFO PAGE
Marching Band Winds:
This class is open to all wind players, and meets in the fall semester 1st period. This class is required for all wind players who are enrolled in the marching band program, and open to any additional wind players who wish to be part of the pep band or concert band program. This class is a fall semester only class, that focuses on technical studies, ensemble sound, and marching art music. This will include but not be limited to: pep tunes for morning rallies and football games, marching show music, community outreach event music, and holiday music. This class meets the district graduation requirements for the Fine Arts Credit.
Colorguard:
This class is open to all members who wish to learn colorguard, and is a required course for all members enrolled in the marching band program. This class meets year round, during 1st period. This performance-based class provides training in dance, ballet fundamentals, and weapon/prop use (tall and short flags, swing flags, rifles, sabers, along with a variety of props). This is a physical movement class, so students should come prepared with appropriate attire and shoes. In the spring semester, the colorguard becomes it's own competition team and performs at various indoor competitions. Colorguard meets district requirements for A-G credit.
Percussion:
This is a performance-based class that provides training in music on percussion instruments. This class is primarily for the education of our percussion performance programs. This is a required course for all percussion students in our marching programs. Students from the percussion class will be used to fill the percussion sections of the Concert Band and Symphonic Band Programs in the spring semester. Percussion meets district graduation requirements for Fine Arts Credit.
Symphonic Band:
The Symphonic Band is the class for the most advanced instrumental music students determined through performance on Proficiencies. Students must have directors permission to enroll in Symphonic Band. This class meets in the Spring Semester Only, during zero period. The ensemble performs at concerts, festivals, and other related events. The Symphonic Band program meets the district graduation requirements for Fine Arts credit.
Concert Band:
The Concert Band is for all students who wish to be part of a wind band ensemble, and is the intermediate ensemble. This class meets in the Spring Semester Only, during 1st period (takes place of the 1st period Marching Winds class). This class will focus on the continuation of instrumental pedagogy, and performances. This ensemble performs at concert, festivals, and other related events. Concert Band meets the district graduation requirements for Fine Arts credit.
Jazz Band:
The Jazz Band program is an extracurricular club, that is created and meets based on the student interest and commitment. This program meets starting in late November/December, and continues through the Spring Semester. This is a performance-based ensemble, and participates in the local Bakersfield College Jazz Day in April. This ensemble teaches students the basics of jazz repertoire and light improvisation. Students that participate in this program are also eligible to participate to audition for the Kern County Honor Jazz Band, which meets for the months of March and April.