Garner Magnet High School (GMHS)Trojan Band


GMHS Band Director: Patrick Shipp

Bio: Patrick Shipp is a native of Garner, NC, where he attended Garner Magnet High School as a member of the class of 2015. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Appalachian State University where he graduated with honors. Here, he was a member of the Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Trombone Choir and Steely Pan Steel Pan Band.

Mr. Shipp is a proud member of the National Association for Music Education, the North Carolina Music Educators Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity.


About the band:

Garner Magnet High School (GMHS) is located at 2101 Spring Drive, Garner, NC. We have Concert Band, Wind Ensemble as well as the Mighty Marching Trojan Band!


Concert Band

The concert band is split between four classes that meet during the school day and is for

students with at least 3 years of ensemble experience and fundamental skills in instrumental

performance and music-reading. Literature is primarily drawn from the NCBA Grade 2 and 3

difficulty levels and covers a wide range of musical styles. Focus is on development of

fundamental tone production, technical skills, ensemble sensitivity, self-expression, independent

music decision-making, student leadership and character development through musical literacy

and public performance. Students are eligible for the ensemble by enrollment in a band course

during the previous school year or through audition with the band director.

Wind Ensemble

The wind ensemble is an audition-only advanced ensemble that requires no less than 3 years of

ensemble experience and advanced skills in instrumental performance and music-reading.

Literature is drawn from the NCBA Grade 4, 5, and 6 difficulty levels and covers a wide range of

musical styles. Focus is on development of exceptional tone production, range extension,

advanced technical skills and vocabulary development, ensemble sensitivity, self-expression,

advanced independent musical decision-making, student leadership and character development

through music literature and public performance. Students are eligible for the ensemble through

an audition with the band director.

Mighty Trojan Marching Band


The Mighty Trojan Marching Band is an extracurricular ensemble that meets from late July to

early November. The personnel of the marching band is made up of wind and percussion

players that play in a concert ensemble and the color guard. Students are expected to have 3

years of ensemble experience and fundamental skills in instrumental performance and

music-reading. For color guard, dance or color guard experience is recommended but not

required to join. The marching band performs at home football games and multiple

NCBA-sanctioned marching competitions throughout the season. Focus is on development of

fundamental tone production, movement skills, technical skills, ensemble sensitivity,

self-expression, student leadership and character development through music literature and

public performance. Students are eligible for the ensemble by enrollment in a band course

during the previous school year or through audition with the band director.


Want to be part of the Marching Band: 2020 Marching Band Intent Form

Check out our YouTube Channel GMHS Band