PERFORMING ENSEMBLES
Butler High School encourages Arts Education through detailed instruction, a wide range of exposure, culturally and racially diverse repertoire, and deep integration into academic topics. The Butler Band Program offers 5 performing classes, all of which provide students with a different experience through a variety of educational tools such as student-centered learning, creativity, expression, and detail-oriented standards. We also offer a wide range of honor bands and secondary performing opportunities.
ENSEMBLE INFORMATION
CONCERT BAND
Concert Band (Full Year - 1.0 credit)
The Concert Band Class is an intermediate performing ensemble. All-Freshman players *unless otherwise assigned) will be automatically placed in this class when they sign up for the band. All other Band Students who do not make/audition for Wind Ensemble or Jazz Ensemble will automatically be placed in this ensemble as well.
EXPECTED PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES: Preparation for a Fall Concert, Winter Concert, and Spring Concerts/Festivals. In addition, the Concert Band may make other appearances as scheduled by the director.
PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE
Percussion Ensemble (Full Year – 1.0 credit)
The Percussion Ensemble will be made up of any students in grades 9-12 with previous music experience/percussion experience to enhance their skills on all percussion instruments. Percussion students will be expected to demonstrate their knowledge of both mallet and rhythm instruments. This class typically performs very difficult music and is expected to maintain fundamentals in their corresponding band classes.
All-Freshman percussionists will be automatically placed in this class when they sign up for band. All percussionists who do not make/audition for Wind Ensemble will automatically be placed in this ensemble as well. This is the only ensemble that allows beginner students with no band experience but they must meet with the director and must have the director's approval.
EXPECTED PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES: Preparation for a Fall Concert, Winter Concert, Spring Concerts, and Community Events. In addition, the Percussion Ensemble may make other appearances as scheduled by the director.
Wind Ensemble (Full Year – 1.0 credit)
The Wind Ensemble is considered the flagship performing ensemble of the Butler Band Program. The Wind Ensemble is made up of the most advanced players by AUDITION ONLY. This group is expected to perform the finest music available for band at the most proficient level possible. The Wind Ensemble typically performs music at the grade IV-V-VI-Masterworks level difficulty. All students registered for Wind Ensemble receive Honors Credit and will be held to honors standards and rigor.
Eligibility is by the director’s recommendation/approval only. Occasionally, students may be moved from another performing ensemble if they show vast improvement in proficiency or the need for instrumentation.
EXPECTED PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES: Preparation for a Fall Concert, Winter Concert, Concert MPA Festival, Spring Concert, and recruitment events. In addition, the Wind Ensemble may make other appearances as scheduled by the director.
Jazz Ensemble (Full Year – 1.0 credit)
This is an AUDITION ONLY GROUP of musicians that form a performing ensemble specializing in many of the sub-genres of the Jazz Arts. The class meets regularly throughout the school year and performs on the regularly scheduled concerts. In addition, the Jazz Ensemble may be asked to perform at certain functions after school in and around the community. All students registered for Jazz Ensemble receive Honors Credit and will be held to honors standards and rigor.
Eligibility is by the director’s recommendation/approval only. Membership is also limited by the need for proper instrumentation. It is strongly recommended that jazz band members also participate in one of the other concert band classes (Wind Ensemble, Concert Bands).
EXPECTED PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES: Concerts, Festivals, Benefits, Jazz MPA, Community Service Events, Faculty Events, Recruiting Events. In addition, the Jazz Ensemble may make other appearances as scheduled by the director.