Band Courses

Grade Level: 9 – 12 

Year: 1.0 Credit 

Prerequisites: Prior band experience 

Fee: $50.00-$100.00 for uniform; $150.00 to rent instrument (if needed)

The Concert Band is open to students who have 2 or more years previous band experience and have a desire to continue developing their skills on a wind or percussion instrument. No audition is required for this class. Students will develop greater skills in ensemble playing while reinforcing their knowledge of fundamentals such as proper posture and breath support, instrument position, and tone production. Students will learn about great composers of wind band repertoire and will develop a greater understanding of what makes an excellent performance. Concerts will be scheduled throughout the year, and attendance at each performance is mandatory.

Grade Level: 9 – 12  

Year: 1.0 Credit 

Prerequisites: Concert Band and/or audition by instructor

Fee: $50.00-$100.00 for uniform; $150.00 to rent instrument (if needed)

The Symphonic Band is comprised of auditioned band players and percussionists who demonstrate strong skills in basic musicianship and have a desire to further develop and refine their abilities. Students who become members of the symphonic band will have the opportunity to study music that is more difficult than that encountered in the concert band yet not quite as difficult as the literature played by the wind ensemble. It is expected that each student will be willing to practice on their own outside of the school day.

Concerts will be scheduled throughout the year, and attendance at all performances is mandatory. Interested students will also have an opportunity to learn about chamber music by forming small ensembles that will rehearse outside of class.

Grade Level: 10 – 12

Year: 1.0 Credit 

Prerequisites: Symphonic Band and/or audition by instructor

Fee: $50.00-$100.00 for uniform; $150.00 to rent instrument (if needed)

The Wind Ensemble is a select group comprised of the most advanced wind players and percussionists at Grandview High School. Students who become members of the wind ensemble will have the opportunity to perform a number of great works from the wind band repertoire, including those of contemporary composers. As the emphasis of this course will be on difficult literature, it is expected that each student demonstrates a high level of commitment and personal responsibility. Students will be expected to practice on a regular basis. Students who excel often study privately with a qualified instructor. Several concerts will be scheduled throughout the year, and attendance at each performance is mandatory. Chamber music performance opportunities will also be made available to interested students and are strongly encouraged.

Grade Level: 9 – 12 

Year: 1.0 Credit 

Prerequisites: Audition by instructor

Fee: $50.00-$100.00 for uniform; $150.00 to rent instrument (if needed)

The Jazz Band 2 is open to any student with a successful audition who wants to develop a better understanding of what it means to perform in a “jazz ensemble.” Students will learn about the basic skills necessary to perform with jazz style, including phrasing, articulation, and interpretation. Students will also learn about jazz theory and harmony. All students will be encouraged to explore the concepts of improvisation and jazz solo construction. Concerts will be scheduled throughout the year, and attendance at all performances is mandatory. This class serves as a prerequisite for the Jazz Band 1.

Grade Level: 10 – 12 

Year: 1.0 Credit 

Prerequisites: Jazz Band 2 and/or audition by instructor

Fee: $60.00-$120.00 for uniform; $150.00 to rent instrument (if needed)

The Jazz Band 1 is a group of the most advanced jazz players. A strong emphasis will be placed on performance and developing skills in improvisation and in developing a better understanding of various musical styles such as swing, jazz ballad, funk, fusion, Latin, etc. Students will be expected to practice on a regular basis and to demonstrate a high level of commitment and personal responsibility.

Concerts will be scheduled throughout the year, and attendance at all performances is mandatory.