BAND COURSES OFFERED AT LISLE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL: CONCERT & SYMPHONIC BANDS JAZZ BAND & JAZZ ENSEMBLE PERCUSSION STUDIES
All music courses receive 1 credit per year. In relationship to the LSHS requirement that students must take 5 courses and Physical Education, Music courses may count as ONE of the 5 required courses. A total of four (4) credits in music courses may be counted towards graduation requirements of 22 credits.
CONCERT BAND (FRESHMAN-SENIOR) Concert Band is open to all students with appropriate junior high level playing experience on a band instrument. Audition with the instructor may be required. The students will learn about instrumental playing techniques, scales, rhythms, music history and composer profiles. Students will learn basic ensemble skills and perform music of various historical periods and styles.
Concert band students will prepare four major concerts, local community performances, festivals and band performance trips. The Concert Band will combine with the Symphonic Band to perform at all home football games during the fall and selected home basketball games during the winter. Performances are an integral part of the band program. Students are expected to make a commitment of personal practice at home and attendance at performances outside of the school day. Band members may be required to attend sectional rehearsals held during the school day for evaluation purposes. Also a one week marching band workshop is held the week before school starts in August. Students are encouraged, but not required to take private lessons and participate in solo and small ensemble performances. (1 credit - Full year course)
SYMPHONIC BAND The Symphonic Band is an advanced ensemble open to students who pass an audition with the instructor. This ensemble will continue topics introduced in the Concert Band course and also will study advanced music literature written for band and wind ensemble. Students will study upper level techniques of wind and percussion instruments, intermediate music theory, compositional techniques and music history.
The Symphonic Band will prepare similar performances as described for the Concert Band. In addition, Symphonic Band will function as part of the marching band and pep band with the Concert Band. Symphonic Band students will be expected to commit to a high level of personal practice in order to perform the advanced literature studied by this ensemble. Attendance at performances outside of the school day is required. Band members may be required to attend sectional rehearsals held during the school day for evaluation purposes. Also a one week marching band workshop is held the week before school starts in August. Students are encouraged but not required to take private lessons and participate in sole and small ensemble performances. (1 credit - Full year course)
JAZZ BAND & JAZZ ENSEMBLE (FRESHMAN-SENIOR) The Jazz Bands perform a variety of styles of jazz music from various eras. Music performed ranges from 1930's and 40's big band jazz to contemporary jazz, latin jazz and jazz-rock. The performances of these ensembles include school concerts, dances, and jazz festivals. Rehearsals are before school each day. The ensembles are open (by audition) to students who play saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano, guitar, bass or drum set. Placement in Jazz Band (introductory level) and Jazz Ensemble (advanced) will be determined by audition. PRE-REQUISITE: Current Membership in concert band program, with the exception of some rhythm section players. Consent of instructor. (1 credit - Full year course)
PERCUSSION STUDIES (FRESHMAN-SENIOR) The Percussion Studies includes all high school Percussion students. The class addresses both music fundamentals and techniques unique to the percussionist. Students will perform a wide range of musical works written especially for percussion ensemble. In addition the students will prepare music to perform with the marching band, pep band and both concert bands.
