Concert Band

1 Credit (fees required)

Grades 9 - 12

Pre-requisite: One or more years of band at the Middle School level is required.  Students looking to return to band after being away must be approved by the director.  

Students enrolling in Concert Band will be placed in classes according to the instrument played.  The emphasis in Concert Band coursework is on mastering the skills necessary to meet the Intermediate and Advanced Level of the Virginia Standards of Learning for Instrumental Music.   Students in this course are required to participate in all school concerts as well as the VBODA District Concert Performance Assessment.  Students may, and are strongly suggested, to also participate in the following optional events:  All-County and All‑District Band Auditions (students are required to participate in the performance events if selected), All-Regional Orchestra auditions and Solo & Ensemble Performance Assessment.  Small ensemble and/or solo work as well as music theory and history will be components of this course. 
 

This is a performance-based class and requires participation in concerts/performances and rehearsals outside of class time.  Students are expected to practice an average of 30 minutes per day.  Student practice will be assessed through regular playing tests and quizzes. 
 

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Symphonic Band

1 Credit (fees required)

Grades 10 - 12

Director Selected

Pre-requisite: One or more years of band at the High School level is required.  Students are required to pass a proficiency audition with the Director of Bands which will include all twelve major scales, chromatic scale for the full range of the instrument, a prepared selection and sight reading.

The emphasis in Symphonic Band coursework is on mastering the skills necessary to meet the Advanced and Artist Level of the Virginia Standards of Learning for Instrumental Music.  Students in this course are required to participate in the following events:  All Concerts and performances, All-County and All‑District Band Auditions (students are required to participate in the performance events if selected), Solo & Ensemble, and the VBODA District Concert Performance Assessment.  Optionally, students may choose to participate in VBODA All-Regional Orchestra auditions.  Small ensemble and/or solo work as well as music theory and history will be components of this course. 

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This is a performance-based class and requires participation in concerts/performances and rehearsals outside of class time.  Students are expected to practice an average of 30 minutes per day.  Student practice will be assessed through regular playing tests and quizzes. 

 

Wind Ensemble

1.5 Credit (fees required)

Grades 10 - 12

Audition Required

Pre-requisite: One or more years of band at the High School level is required.  Students are required to pass a proficiency audition with the Director of Bands which will include all twelve major scales, chromatic scale for the full range of the instrument, a prepared selection and sight reading.

The emphasis in Symphonic Band coursework is on mastering the skills necessary to meet the Advanced and Artist Level of the Virginia Standards of Learning for Instrumental Music.  Students in this course are required to participate in the following events:  All Concerts and performances, All-County and All‑District Band Auditions (students are required to participate in the performance events if selected), Solo & Ensemble, and the VBODA District Concert Performance Assessment.  Optionally, students may choose to participate in VBODA All-Regional Orchestra auditions.  Small ensemble and/or solo work as well as music theory and history will be components of this course. 

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This is a performance-based class and requires participation in concerts/performances and rehearsals outside of class time.  Students are expected to practice an average of 30 minutes per day.  Student practice will be assessed through regular playing tests and quizzes. 

 

Percussion Ensemble

 

1 Credit (fees required)

Grades  9 -12

(Permission from the Director of Bands is required prior to enrollment)

Pre-requisite: One or more years of band at the Middle School level is required. 

The emphasis in Percussion Ensemble coursework is on mastering the skills necessary for the performance of intermediate high school band literature.  Students in this course are required to participate in the all school concerts as well as the VBODA District Concert Performance Assessment.  Percussion students will be required to participate in performances for both the Concert and Symphonic band.  Students may also participate in the following optional events:  All-County and All‑District Band Auditions (students are required to participate in the performance events if selected), All-Regional Orchestra auditions and Solo & Ensemble Performance Assessment.  Small ensemble and/or solo work as well as music theory and history will be components of this course. 

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This is a performance-based class and requires participation in concerts/performances and rehearsals outside of class time.  Students are expected to practice an average of 30 minutes per day.  Student practice will be assessed through regular playing tests and quizzes. 

 

 

Marching Band
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1/2 Credit if registered (fees required)

Grades 9 – 12

Pre-requisite:  Instrumentalist should have at least one year of middle school band experience.  Marching Band is a co-curricular activity at Gar-Field High School, therefore, starting in 2022-2023 school year, all instrumentalist must be enrolled in a regularly scheduled music class.

Auxiliary members (Color Guard, etc.) audition for positions in the spring of each year.

The members of the Gar-Field Marching Band will consider themselves as an integral part of the pride and spirit of Gar-Field.  This dynamic group of young musicians performs regularly at all home football games.  The band provides the excitement and pageantry that is a vital part of the high school Friday night experience.  The band will work with the cheerleaders, dance team and football team in providing an exciting atmosphere for the entire school community.

Marching Band rehearsals begin in August.  For more information on the summer band rehearsal schedule, refer to the Band Calendar.  The marching band will rehearse Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 2:45 to 5:00 after school from the beginning of school until mid-November.  Monday afternoons may be used for sectional rehearsals or student staff meetings.  Most Friday evenings are performance nights at Gar-Field football games.  Students who are a part of the marching band will choose that as their "fall activity” and must commit to the time requirements specified.

Membership in the Gar-Field Marching Band is open to any student enrolled in a music class.  In addition, the pageantry of the band is enhanced with the help of an auxiliary unit, or Color Guard, which is open to any student at Gar-Field.  

 

For more information on the Gar-Field Marching Band, click here.