Idaho Arts Charter School
Band

   High School Band      Jazz Band       MS Advanced Concert Band  
  Beginning/Intermediate Band      Fifth Grade Beginning Band  
  Marching Band      Winter Drum Line     

High School Band
The high school band, now titled "High School Wind Ensemble" is the highest level of our concert bands at Idaho Arts Charter School. Every member of this ensemble is required to play an instrument. Chair auditions are held at the end of each year for the incoming school year and at the mid-point of each scholastic year. The ensemble develops the advanced individual skills in breath management, tone control, scale work, artistic expression and instrument maintenance. Each member of the ensemble also develops ensemble skills of blend & balance, group musical expression and correct musical style as applied to the wind band. The ensemble performs 3-4 home concerts per school year in addition to its yearly rating festival. Some out of class sectional or extra rehearsal time is required and all performances are mandatory. Chair challenges in each section may occur on the Friday of each week. Grades are determined by weekly rehearsal points (50 points per week), weekly practice sheets (120 points per week), sectional points (50 points ea.), extra rehearsal/clinic points (100 points ea.) and performance points (500 points ea.).

Jazz Band
The Jazz Band at Idaho Arts charter School is open to students by audition. Students will need to have a higher level of musicianship as the music is more advanced. The ensemble rehearses and performs music from the early swing period through modern and Latin jazz, in addition to jazz rock. Outside sectional and/or rehearsal time may be required as needed. This group performs 3-4 home concerts per year, in addition to several jazz rating festivals per year, in addition to community performances. All performances are considered mandatory. Grades are determined by weekly rehearsal points (50 per week), weekly practice sheets (120 points per week), sectional points (50 points ea.), extra rehearsal/clinic points (100 points ea.) and performance points (500 points ea.).

Middle School Advanced Concert Band
The Junior High School Advanced Concert Band is the highest level performing band at the junior high school level. Every member of the ensemble is required to play an instrument. Auditions for this group are at the end of each school year for the following school year and at the mid-point of the scholastic year. The students in this ensemble continue to develop their individual skills of breath management, tone control, scales, artistic expression and instrument maintenance. Also the group as a whole also works on ensemble skills of blend & balance, group expression and correct musical style. The ensemble performs 3-4 home concerts per school year in addition to its yearly rating festival. Some out of class sectional or extra rehearsal time is required and all performances are mandatory. Chair challenges may occur each week on Friday. Grades are determined through weekly rehearsal points (50 points per week), weekly practice sheets (120 points per week), sectional points (50 points ea.), extra rehearsal/clinic points (100 points ea.) and performance points (500 points ea.).

Beginning/Intermediate Band
This group is made up of 7th and/or 8th (** or substitute All Students0) Grade students that have either started late in the previous school year, or have never played an instrument and want to learn one. Each student in the band must play an instrument. Instruments are selected by the students wish, their physical ability to play the instrument and the needs of the other more advanced bands. This ensemble works out of the standard method books, in addition to an ensemble drill book. ALL percussionists are required to own their own set of drum sticks and their own practice pads. This band performs in each of the 3-4 home concerts per school year and all performances are mandatory. Grades are determined through weekly rehearsal points (50 points per week), weekly practice sheets (90 points per week), sectional points (50 points ea.) and performance points (500 points ea.)

Fifth Grade Beginning Band
This group is the students' first exposure to playing a band instrument. Students may choose from the standard woodwind or brass band instrument or percussion. All percussion students are required to own their own practice pad and set of drum sticks. This class targets playing basics such as embouchure development, air management, tonguing, rhythm reading, and other basic concepts vital to successful membership in a more advanced band. The students perform for all home concerts and performances are mandatory. Grades are determined through daily rehearsal points (50 points per week), weekly practice sheets (90 points per week) and performance points (500 points ea.).

Marching Band
The Idaho Arts Charter Marching Band is comprised of students in grades 7-12. This group performs in local parades. The ensemble develops basic marching techniques in addition to advanced musicianship as applied to parade band. The group rehearses after school and some individual expense for marching shoes and other related equipment will be required. All performances are considered mandatory.

Winter Drum Line
This unit is through audition only and competes in the lower division of the Winter Guard International competitions. Extensive work on complex show themes and drumming require high levels of stamina and discipline. The group performs at home concerts and community events. Membership comes with the understanding that all performances are mandatory.

Back to Top