Concert Bands
Welcome to our Concert Bands
At Morristown High school students can continue to explore their acquired music skills and talents through a variety of band offerings. Our Symphonic Band, Wind ensemble and also our Marching Band is lead by Mr. David Gallagher.
BIO - David Gallagher
An alumni of Morristown High School, class of 2009, Mr. Gallagher is thrilled to be teaching in his home district. He loves working and performing with the amazing Morristown music students just as much as he loves beating them in ultimate frisbee. Mr. Gallagher earned his Bachelors in Music Education from Rutgers University, and his Masters in Music Education from Montclair State University. In addition to directing the Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble, Mr. Gallagher also directs the Marching Colonials and is the Music Director for the high school theater program. Though originally a saxophone player, Mr. Gallagher is a jack of all trades and plays trumpet in the Hanover Wind Symphony, serves on the board of directors for Morristown Tuba Christmas, and is the President of the North Jersey Area Band. Mr. Gallagher is a die hard Yankees fan and when not in the band room he can be found on top of a mountain, snowshoeing in the Adirondacks, camping in the Utah desert, or at a Giants game cheering against the Cowboys.
Symphonic Band
The Symphonic Band fosters the highest performance standards while offering its members an opportunity to expand their musical horizons and technical facility on their instruments.
Students will learn correct embouchure, breathing, posture, tone production, intonation, and care and maintenance of their respective instruments.
High quality contemporary and standard wind band literature make up the musical repertoire performed by the ensemble.
Students must have prior experience playing a band instrument or receive special permission from the director to be eligible for this course.
Weekly lessons, participation in the graduation band, and participation in evening concerts/special performances are required as part of the Symphonic Band Course.
Students may receive honors credit for the course upon completion of CP coursework and completion of additional benchmarks.
Wind Ensemble
The Wind Ensemble plays outstanding and challenging works of strong artistic merit.
Students incorporate well rounded techniques through advanced repertoire.
A high level of musicianship is demanded from every member of the ensemble and it is expected that each student will challenge themselves as the school year progresses.
It is recommended that Wind Ensemble students be encouraged to study privately and to participate in solo festivals: All-State, Regional Honor Groups and Chamber Ensembles for additional challenges.
Weekly lessons, participation in the graduation band, and participation in evening concerts/special performances, are required as part of the Wind Ensemble Course.
Students may receive honors credit for the course upon completion of CP coursework and completion of additional benchmarks.
For more information or questions regarding the Bands, please contact David Gallagher, Director of Bands, at david.gallagher@msdk12.net.
MHS Big Band (extra-curricular)
The MHS BIG Band is a large jazz ensemble that is open to any student on any instrument and performs twice a year in December and at Jazz Night. All are welcome and anyone can join! Practices take place one evening a week after the Marching Band season.
This group is lead and directed by Mr. Timothy Beadle (see his bio on the "Spectrum" page)