INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC OPPORTUNITIES

The Pennsbury School Instrumental Music Department empowers all students to become creative, ethical, and critical thinkers while developing a high work ethic and a lifelong passion for music, through a student-centered learning approach to the processes of performing, creating, understanding, and appreciating diverse genres and musical cultures. The Middle School Instrumental Music Program offers Concert Band and Orchestra courses  as well as lessons grouped by instrument to all 6th-8th grade instrumental students. Each building offers the opportunity to participate in Jazz Band by audition, and we offer a district wide Middle School Honors Band & Orchestra by audition.

Concert Band Grade 6, 7, 8 

Concert Band is a course which meets every other day throughout the school year.  The Concert Band is made up of students who play woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. Students participate in both the instrumental music course and one pull out instrument lesson once per five day rotation. All lessons and rehearsals take place during the school day.  All band members perform two concerts each school year, one in winter and one in spring. Students will continue to develop the skills and concepts necessary to perform in a musical ensemble. Any student who currently plays a band instrument may join the Concert Band and select this as their elective choice.  Students who have not played an instrument before should contact their school's band director.

Membership in the Concert Band is a prerequisite for participation in the Middle School Jazz Band, Middle School Honors Band/Orchestra, Bucks County Music Educators’ Association, and Youth Orchestra of Bucks County. 

Orchestra Grade 6, 7, 8

Orchestra is a course which meets every other day throughout the school year.  The Orchestra is made up of students who play string instruments.  Students participate in both the instrumental music course and one pull out instrument lesson once per five day rotation.   All lessons and rehearsals take place during the school day.  All orchestra members perform two concerts each school year, one in winter and one in spring. Students will continue to develop the skills and concepts necessary to perform in a musical ensemble. Any student who currently plays a string instrument may join the Orchestra and select this as their elective choice.  Students who have not played an instrument before should contact their school's orchestra director.

Membership in the Orchestra is a prerequisite for participation in the Middle School Jazz Band, Middle School Honors Band/Orchestra, Bucks County Music Educators’ Association, and Youth Orchestra of Bucks County. 

Additional Music Opportunities

Jazz Band

Jazz Band is a select performing group open to all students who are members of the Pennsbury Instrumental Music Program. Musicians are selected by audition. Instruments in the Jazz Band include Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, and Rhythm Section (Piano, Vibraphone, Guitar, String Bass, Drum Set). Jazz Band Members will study a variety of jazz literature as well as jazz improvisation. This co-curricular group rehearses once per week after school and performs at the Winter & Spring Bands Concerts, Jazz at Pennsbury, Field Day, and other events throughout the year. Any student interested in joining the jazz band or who wishes to learn a jazz band instrument should contact their school’s band director.

Middle School Honors Band

The Pennsbury Middle School Honors Band is made up of 6th, 7th & 8th Grade students from Charles Bohem, Pennwood, and William Penn Middle Schools. The Honors Band is an accelerated version of the 7th & 8th Grade Band, with the music being more difficult and demanding. A variety of wind band repertoire will be studied. Auditions take place in November and rehearsals are once per week in the evening from December to May. Students are selected by audition and perform a concert and adjudication in May. Any student interested in joining the Middle School Honors Band should contact their school’s band director.

Middle School Honors Orchestra

The Pennsbury Middle School Honors Orchestra is made up of 6th, 7th & 8th Grade students from Charles Bohem, Pennwood, and William Penn Middle Schools. The Honors Orchestra is an accelerated version of the 7th & 8th Grade Band, with the music being more difficult and demanding. A variety of orchestral repertoire will be studied. Auditions take place in November and rehearsals are once per week in the evening from December to May. Students are selected by audition and perform a concert and adjudication in May. Any student interested in joining the Middle School Honors Band should contact their school’s orchestra director.