Concert band and Wind Ensemble
Welcome
to the Wind Ensembles Page. For those in marching band who never look at
this page - READ THE PHILOSOPHY UNDERNEATH.
CSUF recordings March 15th
Scenes From the Louvre When Jesus Wept Cajun Folk Songs II, 2nd mvt.
Spring 2003 Calendar
(concert band and wind ensemble unless noted differently)
March 15th - Band Festival, CSU Fullerton (wind ensemble)
March 27th - Rehearsal 6-8
April 1 - Spring Concert with AVMS, Theater 7:00
April 8th - Band Festival, Tesoro HS
May 1st - Area Concert (wind ensemble)
June 3rd - Concert, Theater 7:00
June 18th - Graduation (both groups - seniors)
Honor Band
Feb. 20th Rehearsal at Tesoro HS 4-6
Feb. 27th Rehearsal at Tesoro 5-9
March 1st - Concert at Soka University 2PM
The Concert Band and Wind Ensemble are the foundation of the music program at Aliso Niguel. Although many opportunities arise for music, these ensembles provide the full range of music education from which the other opportunities stem from. This is shown in the flow chart below:
All of the goals of the state framework for music education are met through the concert band and wind ensemble. Please view them for yourself. Students are encouraged to participate in several other ensembles, but they are periphery to the concert band and wind ensemble. As a result of this philosophy, concert band and wind ensemble are taught differently than in many other schools. Here is the core of this philosophy.
1. Marching Band music will NEVER be rehearsed in Concert Band and Wind Ensemble periods. There are students who are enrolled in these classes, but are not enrolled in marching band. This would be a waste of time for them. There are also too many great pieces of literature to waste 3 months of the year rehearsing for another class. Both classes are engaged with concert band literature year-round.
2. Although performance is a major goal for these courses, it are not the only one. Most musical concepts are taught through the rehearsal of quality literature for performance. There are standards, however, that are not met through performance. Students will listen to, discuss, and write about music. They will also learn basic information about music history and theory, as well as engage in composition and improvisation. These standards are expanded upon in some peripheral classes, but they are all touched on here. Performance is valued highly, but more goals are addressed that will not be recognized through performance.
Because of this philosophy, any student wishing to participate in any periphery ensembles, must also be enrolled in concert band or wind ensemble. On occasion, exceptions may be made based on scheduling problems if approved by Mr. McElroy and the administration. Please note that this requirement is valid for outside music ensembles. Community colleges and youth ensembles require students to participate in their core music ensembles in their high school. This requirement will be enforced.
All students are encouraged to participate in as many musical opportunities as they can both through and outside of Aliso Niguel. Private lessons are highly recommended. If a student is interested in continuing with music for a profession, private lessons and involvement in as many musical opportunities as possible are mandatory for their success.
This page was written to focus the attention of the program on concert band and wind ensemble. Because of the time commitment and fees required for other ensembles, concert band and wind ensemble can seem less important. These classes, however, are where music fundamentals are taught and musicianship flourishes. Concert band and wind ensemble provides a complete music education by themselves. The periphery classes do not. However, involvement in the periphery classes, as well as concert band and wind ensemble, provides the most rewarding musical experience for students.