Band Classes

 

Contents of this page:

Course Overview and Co-Curricular Opportunities

WELCOME

When making plans for the next school year. I highly encourage you to continue your study of instrumental music by becoming a part of the Freedom High School Band Program! I am very proud that the Freedom Band fosters a strong sense of “family” between members of the group and teaches important life lessons about leadership, teamwork, and friendship. Any FHS band member will tell you that band is NOT just another class – it’s so much more. Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity by signing up for a band class and getting involved in one of the many co-curricular opportunities such as the Spirit of Freedom Marching Band!


U.S. Department of Education data show that students who report consistently high levels of involvement in instrumental music during the middle- and highschool years show significantly higher levels of mathematics proficiency by grade 12.

CATTERALL, J., CHAPLEAU, R., AND IWANAGA, J., “INVOLVEMENT IN THE ARTS AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT,” 1999
 

BAND PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The concert ensembles, Concert Band, Wind Symphony, and Percussion Ensemble, are the foundation of the Freedom High School Band Program. The many varied co-curricular ensembles and other music classes are offered to students to supplement the basic concert band experience. These include
  • The Spirit of Freedom Marching Band
  • Winterguard and Indoor Drumline
  • Jazz Ensembles
  • Instrumental Choirs
  • Music Theory Class
  • Pit Orchestra for the Spring Musical

BAND CLASSES

Performance Ensemble 1 – The Freedom High School Concert Band

  • Intermediate-level concert band.
  • Open to all 9th – 12th grade brass and woodwind players who have successfully completed middle school band. No audition is necessary.
  • Students perform in one concert per grading period, at the VBODA District Band Assessment, and at a Spring Trip/Competition (if scheduled).
  • 2-3 extra rehearsals per month outside of school hours are required. A detailed schedule will be provided in advance.
  • Fulfills 1 Fine Arts Credit needed for graduation. Each subsequent year fulfills elective credits needed for graduation.

Performance Ensemble 2 – The Freedom High School Wind Symphony

  • Advanced-level concert band.
  • Open to advanced level 9th – 12th grade brass, woodwind, and percussion students.
  • Placement into this group is by audition and is highly selective. Private lessons are strongly encouraged for members of this ensemble.
  • As an advanced-level group, members are expected to audition for All- District Band and participate in the Solo & Ensemble Festival.
  • Students perform in one concert per grading period, at the VBODA District Band Assessment, at graduation, and at a Spring Trip/Competition (if scheduled).
  • Fulfills 1 Fine Arts Credit needed for graduation. Each subsequent year fulfills elective credits needed for graduation.

Instrumental Methods – Percussion Ensemble

  • Intermediate to Advanced-level percussion ensemble. Members perform as a percussion ensemble and also serve as the percussion section for the Concert Band.
  • Open to all 9th – 12th grade percussion players who have successfully completed 6th – 8th grade band. Exceptions can be made by director’s consent.

  • Students perform in one concert per grading period, at the VBODA District Band Assessment, and at a Spring Trip/Competition (if scheduled).
  • Fulfills 1 Fine Arts Credit needed for graduation. Each subsequent year fulfills elective credits needed for graduation.

Jazz Ensemble

  • Advanced-level curricular Jazz Ensemble. It is recommended (but not required) that students in the Jazz Ensemble are also enrolled in Wind Symphony, Percussion Ensemble, or Concert Band class.
  • Fulfills 1 Fine Arts Credit needed for graduation. Each subsequent year fulfills elective credits needed for graduation.

CO-CURRICLUAR OPPORTUNITIES

Spirit of Freedom Marching Band

  • One of the largest and most popular co-curricular activities at Freedom High School. This award-winning group has recently earned four first place awards and has performed at the USSBA National Championships.
  • Consists of brass, woodwind, and percussion players plus a color guard.
  • Performs at home football games on Friday nights and in competitions on most Saturdays from September through early November.
  • Participation is strongly encouraged but not required for students enrolled in the band classes. Conversely, students in marching band do not need to be registered for a band class.

Color Guard

  • The Color Guard is a non-musical section of the Marching Band that provides additional visual aspects to the show through the use of flag spinning, rifles, sabers, and dance.

Jazz Lab

  • Jazz Lab is a co-curricular Jazz Ensemble meeting outside of school hours.
  • Jazz Lab will begin in early November immediately following the Marching Band season.

Instrumental Choirs

  • Instrumental Choirs are optional enrichment activities for brass and woodwind players.

Winterguard

  • Winterguard is similar to the Color Guard, except that it performs as its own competitive unit indoors during the winter season (December through early April).

Indoor Drumline

  • Indoor Drumline is similar to the fall Marching Band percussion section. Like Winterguard, it performs indoors during the winter season (December through early April).

Pit Orchestra for the Spring Musical

  • Members accompany the stage performers for the Spring Musical.

OTHER BAND-RELATED MUSIC CLASSES

Music Theory

  • Music Theory is the study of how musical language and notation works.
  • This course is recommended for students planning on pursuing music in college.


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What band class should I sign up for?

All 9th grade brass and woodwind players should sign up for Ensemble 1 (Concert Band) and percussionists should sign up for Instrumental Methods (Percussion Ensemble). 10th-12th grade students should sign up for the class or classes they most desire to be a part of and changes, if any, will automatically be made after auditions in April.

What are auditions? How do they work?

Auditions are used to determine placement into the two advanced-level performance ensembles, Ensemble 2 (Wind Symphony) and Jazz Ensemble. Auditions are open to any FHS student including rising freshmen and will be held in April. As April approaches, check Mr. Galway’s web page or with your middle school director for audition dates, times, and musical requirements. No audition is necessary for placement into Ensemble 1 (Concert Band).

If I sign up for a band class, can I play sports or belong to student activities?

Yes! The only after-school time commitments for students in band classes are concerts and 2-3 extra rehearsals per month to combine winds and percussion. Extra rehearsals are scheduled at times that do not conflict with sports practices. Conflicts, if any, are easily worked out between the Band Director, Athletic Director, and Activities Coordinator. A detailed schedule is provided in advance.

Can I be in band all four years of high school?

Yes! Whether you choose a Standard Diploma or Advanced Studies Diploma track, you will always have at least one class period available for band. The first year ofband fulfills one Fine Arts credit needed for graduation. Each subsequent year fulfills elective credits. Advanced studies diploma candidates need three elective credits and Standard Diploma candidates need four. Four years of band equals one Fine Arts credit and three elective credits. In addition, sticking with an activity such as band for four years looks great on college applications and affords members more opportunity for leadership positions and honors such as the Tri-M Music Honor Society and All-District Band.

Will being in band have a negative effect on my grades?

Absolutely not. As a matter of fact, most students in band are in the top of their classes. The past two senior class valedictorians were band members. Research has shown that band not only helps you build your musical skills, but also makes you smarter in math, science, and English. See the grey boxes located throughout this document for some interesting facts.

Does the Freedom High School Band take any trips?

Yes! Trips are one of the most fun parts of being in band. In 2011, we are going to Orlando, Florida.

Do I have to be in Marching Band, or can I just do Concert Band or Wind Symphony?

You do not have to be in Marching Band if you are in a band class. Participation in Marching is very highly recommended because of the additional instructional time, performance opportunities, expert staff, and leadership opportunities, but it is not required.

If you have any more questions, please send an email to Mr. Galway at joel.galway@lcps.org

CONCERT ATTIRE

Ensemble 1 and Percussion Ensemble

(Student-Provided)

Ladies:

  • White button-down blouse
  • Black dress pants or skirt. Skirt length must be below the knee
  • Black dress flats or pumps

Men:

  • White long-sleeved button-down dress shirt
  • Black dress slacks
  • Black dress shoes with black socks

 

Ensemble 2

(Mostly School-Provided)

Ladies:

  • Black concert gown (school-provided)
  • Black dress flats or pumps

 

Men:

  • Black tuxedo (school-provided)
  • White pleated tuxedo shirt with wing collar (Burlington Coat Factory, Syms, and various online vendors are good places to obtain one)
  • Black dress shoes with black socks

 

Jazz Ensemble

All:

  • Black Jazz polo shirt – Purchased through the school at $25.00 each.
  • Black dress slacks
  • Black dress shoes (with black socks for men)

 

School-Owned Concert Attire Guidelines:

  1. School-owned concert attire may be altered without cutting any part of the garments.
  2. Always store the garments on a hanger. This will eliminate the need for constant pressing.
  3. Concert attire must be pressed prior to each performance. To avoid constant pressing, see #2.
  4. It is the students’ responsibility to keep school-owned concert attire clean. Tuxedos must be dry cleaned; dresses should be washed according to the directions on the label.
  5. Before turning in school-owned garments, all alterations must be undone and the garments must be clean.
  6. Loss, damage, or failing to dry-clean school-owned concert attire will be the financial responsibility of the student.