Curriculum

Marching Band

Membership in the marching band requires strenuous physical activity. All students enrolled in the band program are required to march. Any enrolled student is eligible to audition for the color guard. The marching band performs in the fall.

Color Guard/ Auxiliary

Students who are interested in dance, choreography, and movement may choose to audition for our marching auxiliary unit. Auditions are usually held in April.

Symphonic Blue

Membership is by audition only. The Symphonic Blue will be comprised of students with the performing ability necessary to play grades 3-5 literature.

Symphonic Silver

The Symphonic Silver is comprised of students with the performing ability necessary to perform grade 2-4 literature. Membership is by audition only.

Pep Band

Pep Band begins in December and can carry through to the end of February. Students are required to perform at 4 home Varsity Boy’s Basketball games (6:30-8). You are welcome to perform at more but the required commitment is 4. Students will be awarded 25 points (up to 100) for each event. If you do not perform at all 4, 25 points will be deducted from your 100 point allotment. Students are allowed and encouraged to attend more than 4 pep band performances.

Jazz Band

Students may elect to audition for the jazz band. The jazz band plays for community events and performs throughout the spring. Jazz band is held both first and second semester.

Chamber Ensembles

During the fall and spring, chamber ensembles will be formed. ALL band members will be encouraged to perform in a chamber ensemble. Possible groups are woodwind ensemble, brass ensemble, saxophone ensemble, low brass ensemble, woodwind choir, percussion ensemble, and additional small groups. There will be a chamber concert in the winter and opportunities for performance at the solo and ensemble festival.

Summer Instruction

There are many nationally and locally known summer institutes for instrumental instruction. Bands of America/ Music for All, Baldwin Wallace, and Fred J. Miller hold many essential camps for musical improvement and appreciation.

Private Lessons

As one might expect, private lessons on a musical instrument are the best way to improve performance skills. The one-on-one approach allows the students to benefit from individual attention as opposed to being one in a class of more than fifty. A recent survey of students in the all-state band revealed that approximately 80 percent of the students in band study privately. Students are generally more inclined to practice diligently for a weekly music assignment, and this discipline increases the student’s enjoyment with the instrument. The band director will be more than happy to assist in the selection of a private teacher.

All-State, Regional, District, Conference, and other Honors Bands

Members of the band program are eligible to audition for the all-state and district or conference honors bands. If interested, ask the director at the beginning of the school year.

Solo and Ensemble Contests

There are two adjudicated events, OMEA and Lorain County’s. OMEA is a lot more strict and gives students a list of music to choose from. Lorain County’s is more laid back and you can pick any piece. It is very wise and highly encouraged to participate in these EVERY YEAR either through a solo or chamber ensemble. It is highly recommended that if you are performing a solo at either event that you take private lessons from a professional on your instrument. Ask a director for a list of names.

Solo and Ensemble Details

OMEA and Lorain County Solo and Ensemble Contest Policy

Solo and Ensemble Contest Procedure

  1. Number your measures for the judge.
  2. Give the judge the original score with all of the measures numbered
  3. Solos need a piano accompanist (and give them a thank you gift, money or other, for helping you out. If you need help securing an accompanist, please ask.
  4. Dress professional for your performance. (NO jeans, t-shirts, sneakers)
    1. Wear Dress shoes, dress socks, dress shirt, plain dark tie, plain white undershirt, dress pants or dress skirt of appropriate length.
    2. All clothes will be be neatly pressed. NO WRINKLES
  5. Arrive at the contest location 45 minutes before your performance.
  6. Once you get there, find your performance room then proceed to the warm-up area (gymnasium)


Ratings (how they really go)

The Ohio Five Rating Plan of Adjudication will be used for all Adjudicated Events. The decision of the judges is final. A participant or group may elect to perform either for a rating or in “Festival Performance” for comments only, but must perform the required composition(s) for the classification.


The Five Rating Plan is as follows:

Rating I: An outstanding performance with very few technical errors and exemplifying a truly musical expression. This rating should be reserved for the truly outstanding performance.

Rating II: An unusual performance in many respects, but not worthy of the highest rating due to minor defects in performance, ineffective interpretation, or improper instrumentation.

Rating III: An acceptable performance, but not outstanding. Showing accomplishment and marked promise, but lacking in one or more essential qualities.

Rating IV: A poor performance showing many technical errors, poor musical conception, lack of interpretation, incomplete instrumentation, or lacking in any of the other essential qualities.

Rating V: A very poor performance indicating deficiencies in most of the essential factors, and indicating that much careful attention should be given to the fundamentals of good performance. This rating should be used sparingly and only when it is possible to cite major faults.


Performance procedure

You will be asked to play a scale or 2 and possibly the chromatic scale

  • C Instruments Class A: D,G,C,F,Bb,Eb,Ab,D,Gb
  • C Instruments Class B: G,C,F,Bb,Eb,Ab,Db
  • C Instruments Class C: C,F,Bb,Eb,Ab
  • F Instruments Class A: (YOUR) A,D,G,C,F,Bb,Eb,Ab,Db
  • F Instruments Class B: (YOUR) D,G,C,F,Bb,Eb,Ab
  • F Instruments Class C: (YOUR) G,C,F,Bb,Eb
  • Bb Instruments Class A: (YOUR) E,A,D,G,C,F,Bb,Eb,Ab
  • Bb Instruments Class B: (YOUR) A,D,G,C,F,Bb,Eb
  • Bb Instruments Class C: (YOUR) D,G,C,F,Bb
  • Eb Instruments Class A: (YOUR) B,E,A,D,G,C,F,Bb,Eb
  • Eb Instruments Class B: (YOUR) E,A,D,G,C,F,Bb
  • Eb Instruments Class C: (YOUR) A,D,G,C,F
  • High School Piano will be asked by the adjudicator to perform 2 major scales, 2 octaves hands together.
    • Class A: C,F,Bb,Eb,Ab,G,D,A,E
    • Class B: C,F,Bb,Eb,G,D,A
    • Class C: C,F,Bb,G,D
  • Violin Class A: - Major Scales, Octave(s) required in: C(2), G(3), D(2), A(3), E(2), B(2), F(2), Bb(2), Eb(2), Ab(2)
  • Violin Class B: - Major Scales, Octave(s) required in: C(2), G(2), D(2), A(2), E(2), F(1), Bb(2), Eb(1)
  • Violin Class C: - Major Scales, Octave(s) required in: C(1), G(2), D(1), A(2), F(1), Bb(1)

Then you perform your piece

After your performance, you go to the cafeteria and wait for your rating to be posted...Mr. B will be around shortly to give you your rating sheet after it is posted.