Ensembles
The Spartan Legion Marching Band meets as an 8th-hour class after school. The specific calendar of events is released in mid-April for the following fall semester. All students are required to enroll in either Concert Band, Percussion Ensemble, or Wind Symphony for the full year. Marching Band performs at school and community events, CBA/CHSAA Sanctioned Marching Band Festivals, during half time of all home football games, and in at least one parade. Students will be required to attend the Mini Camp in early June as well as Band Camp in late July into early August before the start of the school year. Students are expected to attend extra sectional and full band rehearsals as needed throughout the school year, as well as summer rehearsals. Attendance at scheduled performances is required and is considered part of the student’s grade.
Concert Band is our entry-level high school concert ensemble. Auditions are not required to participate. Previous band experience is encouraged, but not a requirement. Families with students starting on an instrument for the first time should conference with the director prior to the start of the school year to ensure the most success for the student. Musical selections are geared to the members’ abilities with an emphasis being placed on improvement of tone quality, music literacy skills, technical proficiency, and artistic expression. Concert Band may participate at music festivals and contests at the discretion of the director and performs for school and community events throughout the school year. Attendance at scheduled performances is required and is considered part of the student’s grade. Concert Band members will also participate in Pep Band during the Spring Semester.
Wind Symphony is our advanced-level high school concert ensemble. Auditions are required to be considered for a position with this ensemble. Musical selections are geared to the members’ abilities with an emphasis being placed on improvement of tone quality, music literacy skills, technical proficiency, and artistic expression at the highest possible level, with repertoire more technically and artistically demanding than Concert Band. This ensemble may participate at music festivals and contests at the discretion of the director and performs for school and community events throughout the school year. Attendance at scheduled performances is required and is considered part of the student’s grade. Wind Symphony members will also participate in Pep Band during the Spring Semester.
Percussion Ensemble students will study basic through advanced techniques. They will have an opportunity to study concert percussion, marching percussion, drum set, and world percussion. Students will gain experience in diverse musical styles while investigating the historical and multi-cultural roles of percussion in music. Students will audition for a concert ensemble (Concert Band or Wind Symphony) in the fall semester, and will prepare music for concert ensembles and percussion ensemble itself. This ensemble may participate at music festivals and contests at the discretion of the director and performs for school and community events throughout the school year. Attendance at scheduled performances is required and is considered part of the student’s grade. Percussion Ensemble members will also participate in Pep Band during the Spring Semester.
Jazz Ensemble students must be enrolled in either Marching Band, Concert Band, Percussion Ensemble, or Wind Symphony. Students will gain experience in diverse musical styles and build improvisational skills while investigating the historical and multi-cultural roles of jazz music. Basic instrumentation includes saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano, bass, guitar, and drum set. Students who play different instruments may also join after speaking with the director. This ensemble may participate at music festivals and contests at the discretion of the director and performs for school and community events throughout the school year. Attendance at scheduled performances is required and is considered part of the student’s grade. Jazz Ensemble members will also participate in Pep Band during the Spring Semester.
Winter Guard is a competitive extracurricular activity that rehearses and performs after the marching band season. Performances start in the spring semester and typically run through late March or early April. All band students are encouraged to participate. Students will enhance their skills in dance and body coordination. Winter Guard performs in the Rocky Mountain Color Guard Association and Winter Guard International Circuits.
Winter Percussion is a competitive extracurricular activity that rehearses and performs after the marching band season. Performances start in the spring semester and typically run through late March or early April. All band students are encouraged to participate. Students will learn and enhance percussion skills and experience a unique expression of musicality. Winter Percussion performs in the Rocky Mountain Percussion Association Circuits.
The Spartan Pep Band plays at all home football games in the fall, students of the Spartan Legion are required to participate, and all band members are welcomed to join! In the spring, members in all bands participate in the pep band at home basketball games. Students perform a variety of music, mostly pop and rock genres, connecting our fans to the action on the field or at the court!.
Musical Pit Orchestra an extracurricular activity presenting some of the most demanding and challenging music we perform all year. This is a collaborative endeavor with the entire performing arts department – band, orchestra, choir, and theater! This experience typically lasts three to four months with rehearsals and performances.