Beginner I 

Woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments welcome
Open to anyone who wishes to learn a new instrument

What this band does: Basic instrument technique and music reading instruction are the focus of this group

Prerequisites: Willingness to learn both an instrument and notation. Rent/own an instrument or purchase a stick/mallet kit if playing percussion
No experience necessary

Beginner II 

Woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments welcome
Open to anyone who has a moderate amount of band experience on their instrument – 1-2 years playing in a Concert Band setting

What this band does:
The focus is on playing together as a group and following the conductor
A wide range of musical styles are explored in traditional concert band instrumentation.

Prerequisites: Rent/own an instrument or purchase a stick/mallet kit if playing percussion
Be able to read notes in the clef of your instrument, including above and below the staff.
Play the Concert B-flat Major scale, one octave
Read rhythms in 3/4, 2/4, and 4/4 time including whole, half, quarter, and eighth notes
Should not be writing in note names, fingerings, slide positions
For percussion: Vic Firth rudiments – single stroke roll, flam, paradiddle (both hands), scales as above on mallet instruments

Concert Band 

Woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments welcome
Open to anyone who has some band experience on their instrument – 2+ years playing in a Concert Band setting

What this band does:
The focus is on performing pieces with dynamics, articulation, and expression
This band is for those who wish to be challenged on their instrument
A wide range of musical styles are explored in traditional concert band instrumentation

Prerequisites: Rent/own an instrument or purchase a stick/mallet kit if playing percussion
Be able to read notes in the clef of your instrument, including up to two ledger lines above and below the staff
Be able to follow a conductor
Play the Concert B-flat Major scale, two octaves
Play Concert C, F, and E-flat Major scales (one or two octaves)
Play Concert g minor scale – all three forms
Read rhythms in 3/4, 2/4, 4/4, and 6/8 time including whole, half, quarter, eighth, and sixteenth notes and dotted rhythms
For percussion: Vic Firth rudiments – double stroke roll, ratamacue, paradiddle (both hands), scales as above on mallet instruments

Symphonic Band 

Woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments welcome
The focus is on developing a diverse repertoire and moving at a quicker pace while still creating enjoyable musical experiences
Open to anyone who has significant band experience on their instrument – 4+ years playing in a Concert Band setting

What this band does:
The focus is on performing pieces at tempo with good intonation, style, and expression
This band is for those who wish to be challenged on their instrument
A wide range of musical styles are explored in traditional concert band instrumentation

Prerequisites:
Rent/own an instrument or purchase a stick/mallet kit if playing percussion
Play with a characteristic tone.
Play the Concert B-flat Major scale and Concert g minor scale (all three forms) two octaves, from memory
Play Concert C, F, and E-flat Major scales (one or two octaves), and their relative minor scales
Read rhythms in simple, compound, and cut time. Mixed meter is used frequently
For percussion: Vic Firth rudiments – double stroke roll, ratamacue, paradiddle (both hands), scales as above on mallet instruments, timpani skills

Wind Ensemble 

Woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments welcome
The focus is on developing a diverse repertoire for performance and moving at a quicker pace while still creating enjoyable musical experiences
This ensemble is limited to players with significant band experience on their instrument – 4+ years playing in a concert band setting


What this band does:
The focus is on performing pieces at tempo with good intonation, style, and expression
This band is for those who wish to be challenged on their instrument
A wide range of musical styles are explored in traditional concert band instrumentation

Prerequisites:
Rent/own an instrument or purchase a stick/mallet kit if playing percussion
Play with a characteristic tone
Play Concert Major and minor scales from five flats to three sharps – two octaves where possible, minor all three forms – from memory
Read rhythms in simple, compound, and cut time. Mixed meter is used frequently 
For percussion: Vic Firth rudiments – double stroke roll, ratamacue, paradiddle (both hands), scales as above on mallet instruments, timpani skills

Beginner Big Band 

The ensemble is open to woodwind and brass musicians from the Beginner II through Symphonic Bands who would like to begin their exploration of the jazz idiom. 
Beginner II musicians who wish to participate are encouraged to contact Patricia Wheeler in order to discuss comfort levels. 

What this band does:  
This class introduces and develops rhythms, styles, and repertoire endemic to the jazz tradition, in a concert band setting, and is open to the full range of instruments found in a concert band.   
Material consists of studies, drills, games, and repertoire modelled after swing and dance band literature, such as that found in the Essential Elements Jazz Ensemble series.  
The class does not require improvisation, but notated solos will be played by the willing, not the forced.

Prerequisites:
Rent/own an instrument or purchase a stick/mallet kit if playing percussion. 
Play with a characteristic tone. 
Play Concert Major scales from three flats to three sharps. 
Read rhythms in simple and compound time signatures

Intermediate Jazz 

The ensemble has (must have) a rhythm section (piano and/or guitar, 2+bassists, drum kit, percussion) and is open to 30 woodwind and brass musicians from the Beginner II through Symphonic Bands who would like to begin their exploration of the jazz idiom 
Beginner II musicians who wish to participate are encouraged to contact Patricia Wheeler in order to discuss comfort levels 

What this band does:  
This class continues to develop rhythms, styles, and repertoire endemic to the jazz tradition, in a concert band setting, and is open to the full range of instruments found in a concert band 
Those who participated in the Big Band in the past may find this a fun and challenging next step   
Material consists of studies, drills, games, and repertoire modelled after swing and dance band literature, such as that found in the Essential Elements Jazz Ensemble series  
Notated solos are encouraged from all players 
This class will also encourage improvisation

Prerequisites: Rent/own an instrument or purchase a stick/mallet kit if playing percussion 
Play with a characteristic tone 
Play Concert Major scales from four flats to four sharps 
Read rhythms in simple and compound time signatures