Ensembles

Many ensemble opportunities are available at Winters Mill. Students may participate in concert band, orchestra, percussion ensemble, jazz ensemble, marching band, and some smaller chamber groups, including brass and woodwind choir. (These chamber groups are formed in the concert band classes.)

Band II

Sophomores, juniors, and seniors sign up for this ensemble, unless the teacher recommends otherwise. The expectations of Band II are a bit higher than those of Band I. Students are expected to take a responsibility for improvement in the areas of tone, expression, rhythm, articulation, and aspects of theory, history and literature. Students must demonstrate the ability to be successful at playing music of greater difficulty in order to enroll in this ensemble.

Band I

Only freshmen sign up for this class, unless the teacher recommends otherwise. This is a beginning level course that focuses on skills such as playing in an ensemble, improving technical skills, learning advanced musical concepts (phrasing, expression, note shape, tone production, ensemble sound), and an introduction to advanced wind literature. Students will attempt to learn the skills necessary to move on to Band II.

Percussion Ensemble

There are two percussion classes offered at WMHS - an Academic class and an Honors class. Sophomore, Junior, and Senior Percussionists should sign up for the Honors class. Freshmen and other non-percussionists who wish to learn percussion should sign up for the Academic class. It is a great opportunity to have the percussion section separate from the winds. We can focus on each percussion instrument and proper technique for those instruments. We will learn music written specifically for percussion ensemble, work out of method books, and learn to read notes on a staff. Percussionists will be able to play all percussion instruments (snare, timpani, mallets, and auxiliary instruments.) Students will receive more specialized and individual instruction than if they were in a class with wind instruments.

Orchestra

All string players sign up or orchestra. We will focus on skills such as bow use, different styles of articulation, vibrato, and shifting. We will work out of method books as well as learn contemporary and traditional orchestral literature. We will broaden knowledge of literature and history, and have opportunities for field trips throughout the year.

Jazz Ensemble

We’d really like to offer this class during the day, but we can’t if not enough people sign up. PLEASE CONSIDER JOINING JAZZ ENSEMBLE! Jazz Ensemble will meet after school in the spring.

Marching Band

Marching Band is an extracurricular activity. The responsibility of the marching band is to support the school and community through performances at football games, parades, and various community events. Marching Band rehearses once a week and performs popular, entertaining shows.