Instrumental music instruction for elementary band begins in the fifth grade. Small group instruction offers student the opportunity to lean their instrument in a sequential manner Beginning band students may choose from a variety of woodwind and brass instruments, as well as percussion.
The 5th and 6th-grade band meets twice a week. Students start with the basics and will also learn about music theory and history. Band students also benefit from visits by professional clinicians in their instrument family.
Elementary Band participates in the Christmas and Spring Concerts
The Jazz Band places an emphasis on performing a variety of styles of jazz music. These styles are blues, shuffle, ballad, funk, samba, and rock. Students will learn to improvise solos through the study of chord changes, theory, and audiation. Jazz Band students will also study the history of jazz and jazz musicians, learning about the icons who paved the way for jazz. Students will also learn about the process of transcription, in order to fully develop their ear training, and diversify their jazz vocabulary. Finally, the members of the jazz ensemble will perform at all concerts, and festivals.
