Here are some more fun videos of larger instrumental groups as well as individual players. And remember, all these amazing players started out as beginners, when they were kids like you!
A great way to hang out with your band family is under the Friday Night Lights!
This popular upper woodwind instrument is crucial in the symphonic band, marching band, and symphony orchestra. Solos can be played in weddings, jazz bands, military bands, and more.
The deep treble woodwind sound of the clarinet gives the concert band its warm sound. Clarinet is popular in big band jazz and marching band, as well as being a common feature in symphonic bands and symphony orchestras.
Fanfare and lead: the trumpet can be soulful or strong. It is essential to marching band and a big soloist in jazz, but also plays important roles in symphonic band and classical symphony orchestra as well.
Brassy and bold, but warm and dark: the trombone is a versatile low brass instrument, and the only one with a slide!
Baritone (also called Euphonium)
Bringing up the bass and acting as the foundation of the band is the deep, rich sound of the baritone and tuba. Having a great bass line is SUPER important in band, but baritones also can play soaring melodies. Beginners start on baritone and can move to tuba later in their first year.
Saxophone is well know for its role in jazz and pop music, but it is a fabulous classical instrument too! It creates a warm, rich, mid-range sound in the symphonic band.
Percussionists play snare drum, bass drum, cymbals, xylophone, bells, chimes, marimba, timpani, and more. Beginners focus on bells (xylophone) to start, then add snare drum after their first trimester of playing. Additional accessory instruments are added as we go along. Drum set is not taught in band, but percussionists can easily pick it up on the side using the skills they learn in band.
The violin, also known as the fiddle, is considered the leader of the orchestra. It is the highest sounding instrument in the orchestra and usually has the melody. It is a very versatile instrument that can be heard playing classical, Irish, folk and pop music.
The viola looks very similar to the violin, but it is slightly larger and lower sounding then the violin. It is known as the "workhorse" of the orchestra and works hard to support the melody.
The cello is an instrument that is able to play low and high notes in the orchestra. It shares both melody and harmony roles and even helps to support the base line, when called upon.
The string bass is also known as the double bass, upright bass, or just bass! Bass players learn to play their instrument in the orchestra, and can also play in the Jazz Band.
Jazz Band at LMS meets before school as an extra-curricular option open to 7th and 8th grade band members in good standing. The LHS Jazz Band performs around the community and is a class in the school day during third trimester each year.
One of the highlights of the Lowell Music Program is the Symphony Orchestra, because it puts some of our finest band and orchestra students together to perform! We start doing this in middle school with our 8th graders, and continue through high school.