For All 7th & 8th Grade Bands:
Membership into one of the 7th & 8th grade bands is by Audition/Director's approval. The bands are comprised of a mixture of both 7th and 8th grade students selected on the basis of ability and not seniority. Character, self-discipline, and eligibility, are also determining factors.
Symphonic Band:
The Symphonic Band is the top performing group which is made up of the most advanced 7th and 8th grade students. The students in this band must be proficient on their instrument and must be willing to commit to regular rehearsal and practice time. The Symphonic Band students will have at least, one 60 minute sectional rehearsal, per week (either 7:30-8:30am OR 4:05pm-5:05pm), as well as some extra full band rehearsals throughout the year. Students in this band are expected to participate in all of the scheduled rehearsals, concerts, contests, pep rallies, and football games. In addition, each student is expected to audition for the All-Region Band and participate in the Solo & Ensemble contest. It is the responsibility of the student and the parent to check the band calendar and incorporate the scheduled events into your family calendar. In order to establish and maintain a high level of performance, Symphonic Band students will need to practice 30 to 60 minutes daily and should study privately with the a professional lesson’s teacher (Private Lessons).
For normal progress, all Symphonic Band students are required to practice at least 2.5 hours per week, which is to be documented on a practice sheet given to each student at the beginning of each semester. In order to receive an "A" on their practice sheet that week, students must practice a minimum of 2.5 hours. If a student cannot practice on a given day due to an unavoidable conflict, the practice time must be made up on another day within that practice week. We strongly encourage equally distributed practice time in order to promote musical success. Points will be appropriately deducted if a student turns in less than the required time. Likewise, extra credit will be given to students who practice more than the weekly requirement. Parents will sign the student's practice sheet each week to verify the amount of home practice. Practice sheets will be checked each Monday, and in the case of a holiday, teacher in-service day, etc., practice sheets will then be checked on the first teaching day of the week. PLEASE, DO NOT SIGN BEFORE SUNDAY NIGHT AND DO NOT SIGN FOR PRACTICE NOT DONE. One letter grade will be deducted for each day that they are turned in late. As a result of this important grading factor, All Symphonic Band students
must take their instruments home
everyday. Symphonic Band students are expected to maintain passing grades in all their class.
Honor Band:
The Honor Band is the second performing group which is made up of the mostly 7th and 8th grade students. The students in this band must be proficient on their instrument and must be willing to commit to regular rehearsal and practice time. The Honor Band students will have at least, one 60 minute sectional rehearsal, per week (either 7:30-8:30am OR 4:05pm-5:05pm), as well as some extra full band rehearsals throughout the year. Students in this band are expected to participate in all of the scheduled rehearsals, concerts, contests, pep rallies, and football games. In addition, each student is expected to learn as much of the All-Region music as possible so that they may earn the right to audition for the All-Region Band. Students in the Honor Band are expected to participate in the Solo & Ensemble contest. It is the responsibility of the student and the parent to check the band calendar and incorporate the scheduled events into your family calendar. In order to establish and maintain a high level of performance, Honor Band students will need to practice 30 to 60 minutes daily and should study privately with the a professional lesson’s teacher (Private Lessons).
For normal progress, all Honor Band students are required to practice at least 2.5 hours per week, which is to be documented on a practice sheet given to each student at the beginning of each semester. In order to receive an "A" on their practice sheet that week, students must practice a minimum of 2.5 hours. If a student cannot practice on a given day due to an unavoidable conflict, the practice time must be made up on another day within that practice week. We strongly encourage equally distributed practice time in order to promote musical success. Points will be appropriately deducted if a student turns in less than the required time. Likewise, extra credit will be given to students who practice more than the weekly requirement. Parents will sign the student's practice sheet each week to verify the amount of home practice. Practice sheets will be checked each Monday, and in the case of a holiday, teacher in-service day, etc., practice sheets will then be checked on the first teaching day of the week. PLEASE, DO NOT SIGN BEFORE SUNDAY NIGHT AND DO NOT SIGN FOR PRACTICE NOT DONE. One letter grade will be deducted for each day that they are turned in late. As a result of this important grading factor, All Honor
Band students
must take their instruments home
everyday. Honor Band students are expected to maintain passing grades in all their class.
Concert Band:
The Concert Band is the third performing group which is made up of the mostly 7th grade students. The students in this band must be proficient on their instrument and must be willing to commit to regular rehearsal and practice time. The Concert Band students will have at least, one 60 minute sectional rehearsal, per week (either 7:30-8:30am OR 4:05pm-5:05pm), as well as some extra full band rehearsals throughout the year. Students in this band are expected to participate in all of the scheduled rehearsals, concerts, contests, pep rallies, and football games. In addition, each student is expected to learn as much of the All-Region music as possible so that they may earn the right to audition for the All-Region Band. Students in the Concert Band are expected to participate in the Solo & Ensemble contest. It is the responsibility of the student and the parent to check the band calendar and incorporate the scheduled events into your family calendar. In order to establish and maintain a high level of performance, Concert Band students will need to practice 30 to 60 minutes daily and should study privately with the a professional lesson’s teacher (Private Lessons).
For normal progress, all Concert Band students are required to practice at least 2.5 hours per week, which is to be documented on a practice sheet given to each student at the beginning of each semester. In order to receive an "A" on their practice sheet that week, students must practice a minimum of 2.5 hours. If a student cannot practice on a given day due to an unavoidable conflict, the practice time must be made up on another day within that practice week. We strongly encourage equally distributed practice time in order to promote musical success. Points will be appropriately deducted if a student turns in less than the required time. Likewise, extra credit will be given to students who practice more than the weekly requirement. Parents will sign the student's practice sheet each week to verify the amount of home practice. Practice sheets will be checked each Monday, and in the case of a holiday, teacher in-service day, etc., practice sheets will then be checked on the first teaching day of the week. PLEASE, DO NOT SIGN BEFORE SUNDAY NIGHT AND DO NOT SIGN FOR PRACTICE NOT DONE. One letter grade will be deducted for each day that they are turned in late. As a result of this important grading factor, All Honor
Band students
must take their instruments home
everyday. Concert Band students are expected to maintain passing grades in all their class.
Cougar Jazz Band(s)
The Cougar Jazz Band(s) are an extension of the concert band program. It is open, by audition or invitation, to any 7th and 8th grade student who is already a member of one of the above bands. The Jazz Band meets either before or after school one to two days per week. The music includes, swing, rock, latin, funk, and ballads. The traditional instrumentation of the Jazz Band is:
2 Alto Saxophones
2 Tenor Saxophones
1 Baritone Saxophone
3-5 Trombones
3-5 Trumpets
1-2 Drum Set Players
1 Pianist
1 Bass (electric or upright)
1 Guitar
However, we encourage all current students in the Clark Band program, regardless of instrument, that have an interest in playing in the Jazz Band, to speak to a director about auditioning.
