Academic offerings
There are currently four academic band offerings: Symphonic Band, Percussion Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Ensemble.
Percussion Ensemble
This class is open to 9-12 grade students who are percussionists. Due to the large number of instruments and techniques needed to play the instruments in the percussion family, this class is only for percussionists. This is ideal for 9th grade percussionists as we review rudiments, technique, best practices, mallet/stick choices, rhythm, etc. so that they have a solid foundation for the remainder of their time in high school band.
Symphonic Band
This class is open to 9-12 grade students. This is open to woodwinds, brass, and percussion. (9th grade percussionists are encouraged to take Percussion Ensemble. See below for more details on that ensemble). Students need to have taken middle school band. Emphasis in this course is on mastering the skills necessary to meet the intermediate level of VBODA Grade III-IV band literature.
Wind Ensemble
This advanced ensemble class is open to 9-12 grade students by audition only. This is open to woodwinds, brass, and percussion. Rising freshman who wish to audition should talk to their middle school band director first. The audition materials will be shared with that director and Mr. Thompson will schedule a time to come to the students’ middle school to complete the audition. Students need to have taken middle school band. Emphasis in this course is on mastering the skills necessary to meet the advanced level of VBODA Grade IV-V band literature.
Jazz Ensemble
This advanced ensemble class is open to 9-12 grade students by audition only. This is open to saxophones, trumpet, trombone, and a rhythm section (consists of piano, electric guitar, bass guitar, drum set, vibraphone, and auxiliary percussion) . Rising freshman who wish to audition should talk to their middle school band director first. The audition materials will be shared with that director and Mr. Thompson will schedule a time to come to the students’ middle school to audition them there. Emphasis is on performance techniques unique to jazz music and the history of jazz through the study of traditional and contemporary works.