Walden Grove High School CONCERT BANDS
The Walden Grove High School Band Program consists of the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Percussion Ensemble. Students have the opportunity to audition for the Wind Ensemble during the spring of the previous school year. All students with previous band experience are eligible to enroll in the Concert Band without audition. Students who do not have any previous band experience should contact the director prior to enrolling. Percussion students have the unique opportunity to enroll in the Percussion Studies class which focuses solely on the study and performance of percussion instruments. Each of these classes combine to form the Red Wolf Regiment Marching Band in the fall.
Marching and Concert Band – Grades 9
This course focuses on the performance practices of quality concert band and marching band literature. A variety of literature will be studied, with emphasis on developing proper playing techniques, the study of music theory and history, and building individual and ensemble playing and leadership skills. Individual practice is required as part of this course. This is a performance class, with required concerts, rehearsals, and travel possible outside of the scheduled class time. Students are responsible for supplying his/her own instrument or making arrangements with the director to use school equipment, if available.
Symphonic Band – Grades 10-12
The WGHS Symphonic Band is the non-audition concert band available to all students in 10th, 11th, and 12th grade at Walden Grove High School. (All new students and incoming freshmen who play a wind instrument should enroll in Concert/Marching Band. All percussion students should enroll in Percussion Studies where they will perform the appropriate concert repertoire, in addition to percussion ensemble music, and prepare to join Drumline and Front Ensemble for marching season.) This ensemble will review and expand on concepts covered in Concert/Marching Band, without requiring a student to audition as the WGHS Wind Ensemble The students in the Symphonic Band will combine with students in the Concert/Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, and Percussion Studies classes as one group to perform as the Red Wolf Regiment Marching Band. Individual practice is required as part of this course. This course focuses on the performance practices of quality concert band and marching band literature. A variety of literature will be studied, with emphasis on developing proper playing techniques, the study of music theory and history, and building individual and ensemble playing and leadership skills. This is a performance class, with required concerts, rehearsals, and travel possible outside of the scheduled class time. Students are responsible for supplying his/her own instrument or making arrangements with the director to use school equipment, if possible.
Wind Ensemble – Grade 10-12
Prerequisite: Audition or Band Director Approval
Wind Instruments Only (Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Oboe, Bassoon)
The WGHS Wind Ensemble is the premier concert band. This course will focus on higher level pieces, challenging the students as musicians to expand their musical knowledge and ability. A variety of literature will be studied, with emphasis on large and small ensemble playing and leadership skills. Individual practice is required as part of this course. This is a performance class, with required concerts, rehearsals, and travel possible outside of the scheduled class time. Students are responsible for supplying his/her own instrument or making arrangements with the director to use school equipment, if available.
Percussion – Grades 9-12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of an audition or strong recommendation with the Director's signature. (Percussion Instruments) This course focuses on studying percussion ensemble literature, while also acting as and rehearsing the percussion literature studied in Marching and Concert Band. A variety of literature will be studied, with emphasis on developing proper playing techniques on all percussion instruments, building individual and ensemble playing skills, and through the study of music history and theory. Individual practice is required as part of this course. This is a performance class, with required concerts, rehearsals, and travel possible outside of the scheduled class time. Students are responsible for supplying mallets, sticks, a stick bag, and other materials to supplement the instruments provided by Walden Grove High School.