High School Band

Enrollment is open to students in grades 9 - 12 who meet at least one of the following prerequisites:

• Returning members of the high school band who are in good standing

• Students who have successfully completed band in the middle school level and who possesses the knowledge and skill level to be a productive member of the high school band as determined by the band director

• Students who have successfully completed Introduction to Band and who possesses the knowledge and skill level to be a productive member of the high school band as determined by the band director

• Permission of the band director

The West Fork High School Band functions as The Tiger Marching Band, The Basketball Pep Band, and The Symphonic Winds.  It is a performance-based course.

Band is a year long course and students are required to participate in both semesters.  In rare circumstances a student may only be able to enroll in only one semester and these situations are handled on a case-by-case basis with permission and recommendation from the band director.

8th Grade Band

Enrollment is open to students in the 8th grade who meet the following criteria.

• Successful completion of beginner band

• The desire to develop the necessary skills to join the High School Band in 9th grade.

8th grade band is a year long course and resumes study where beginner band stopped at the end of the previous school year.

Following 8th Grade Band students will be recommend for one of the following situations.

1. Membership in the High School Band.

2. Membership in the High School Band, and required membership in Introduction to Band.

3. Membership in Introduction to Band to further develop their skill set before being allowed to join the High School Band.

Students who are enrolled in 8th grade band should do so with the intent of continuing into the high school band.

Beginner Band

WFMS students may choose to join the band program in the 7th grade. Beginner band students are normally 7th graders, although a few 8th graders may select to join.

Beginner band is a year long course and is taught using the Tradition of Excellence band method.  To join beginner band, students must meet the following criteria

• Parents must attend a mandatory meeting with the director.

• Provide your own instrument, supplies and accessories.

• Be willing to perform on the Christmas and Spring concerts as scheduled on the band calendar

• Have a simple desire to learn to play a band instrument.

Students who are 8th grade beginners will not be ready for high school band after only one year of study.  These students must enroll in Introduction to Band to continue their progression into the High School Band.

Advanced Band Methods

Enrollment is open to students in grades 10 - 12 who meet one of the following prerequisites:

• Members of the high school band who are in good standing

• Permission of the band director

Advanced Band Methods is as described in the title.  It is the advanced study of a chosen wind band instrument.  It is a career focus elective designed to prepare the serious band student for participation in a number of performance based opportunities such as all-region, all-state, solo & ensemble, and participation in a college or university band program.  This is a studio class and is taught using master classes, private lessons, and individual practice.

Introduction to Band

Enrollment is open to students in the ninth grade who meet one of the following prerequisites:

• Completed Beginning Band and/or Eighth Grade Band and have not yet developed the skill or knowledge required for membership in the Sr. High Band

• Permission of the band director

Those who enroll in Intro to Band are considered members of the West Fork Band program and should enroll with the goal in mind to develop their knowledge and skill level to be a productive member of the Senior High Band the next school year.  The course is a studio class and the students are taught primarily through private lessons and guided practice with the band director.  This course is not performance based.