WOLF PACK

  MARCHING BAND

Welcome to the Prairie Ridge High School Band

This website is designed to help answer questions new band members or parents may have

Table of contents:

Performing groups

Frequently Asked Questions

Responsibilities

Marching Band

Sample Schedules

Student Comments and suggestions

Calendar

Band Parents Group and Parent meetings

Performing Groups

Concert(9th grade)Band, Symphonic Band             

Percussion Ensemble, and Wind Ensemble

Extra Curricular Ensembles

Jazz Ensemble

Pep Band

Pit Orchestra

Madrigal Brass

Description of each performing group

Concert Band – All freshman band members will be placed into the concert band. 

The concert band meets every day during seventh period.

Symphonic Band - This group meets during fifth period every day and consists of sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

The symphonic band musicians are selected by audition.

Wind Ensemble –This group meets during sixth period every day and consists of sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

The Wind Ensemble musicians are selected by audition.     

Percussion Studies – All percussion students will be placed in this class.  The students will practice and perform on their own, and with the concert, symphonic, and marching bands.

Jazz Ensemble,

Pep Band,

Pit Orchestra,

Madrigal Brass – These groups are small ensembles made

up of students from the concert, symphonic, and  percussion ensembles.  You must be in one of the above groups to be eligible.

Color Guard – Open to all students including band members through try-out.  The color guard performs with the band and also during the

Winter months for basketball games.

As a member of these performing groups the students have a responsibility to contribute to the best of their ability. Communicate with the director any problems or concerns.  The students need to be organized, responsible, respectful of other band members, and working to better them selves as musicians and young adults.

 Music plays an important role in all of our lives!

 Marching Band 

What is the marching band?

The Prairie Ridge High School Marching Wolf Pack Band is made up of all band members in the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Percussion Ensemble, and Color Guard.  Musicians may participate in marching band as a member of the color guard. All members will be expected to march unless they are involved in a Fall sport that conflicts with the marching band rehearsals.  If a conflict exists with marching band such as participation in a high school sport, the student will be expected to notify the director and file a conflict agreement. Please contact Mr. Blakewell prior to August 1st if a conflict exists.

 What is the commitment?

The marching band will perform for all home football games.  There are four to five home games a year.   The games are on Friday nights at 7:00 pm, and are at the Prairie Ridge High school football field. The students will be expected to be at school for the performance from approximately 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. or until the end of half time when the band has completed its performance.  Practices are on Tuesday and Thursdays from 5:00 – 7:30 pm during September and the first part of October. A detailed practice schedule will be supplied to each student in the spring.

Frequently asked questions

Will I have a lunch? 

Yes

Very few students as freshman do not have a lunch.  3 out of 50 students did not have a lunch in the Fall of 2003. 

Can I do sports and band?

Yes

Many of the band members are in a sport or activity while in band.  Some of the activities include football, scholastic bowl, student council, drama, tennis, cross-country, soccer, and so on.  The only conflict is during marching band season when after school practice time over lap.  Please check out the marching band conflict section for more information.

Will I have to give up my study hall?

No

A majority of the students as you can see in the sample schedule section have study halls.  If a student chooses an elective to fill that time they will not have a study hall.  Band is not in place of a study hall.  It is an elective like any other class.

Will I have to get up early for band?

NO!

 Band meets during the day like any other class.  As you can see band 3 will meet 5th period MTWRF for 45 minuets.

Will I have to keep a practice card?

No.

In high school we do not have practice cards.  Students are expected to be responsible for their own practice schedule.  Each student is part of a performing group that depends on each individual to contribute their time and talents to

Can I do band along with sports, choir, and other activities?

Yes,

The more you choose to do the less free time you will have, but is possible to more than one.  Band and choir meet during the day like any other class.  Many students are involved in multiple electives and activities.

Does the band at PR have instruments for me to use?

Yes

The Prairie Ridge Band has some of the larger instruments like French horn, tuba, euphonium, tenor saxophone, and baritone saxophone.  Students can rent these instruments for a nominal fee for the year.  Instruments can be checked out at band camp.

I play oboe or bassoon will I need to march?

The double reed musicians will perform in the percussion section on a mallet instrument or on another instrument that they play such as clarinet or flute.  Mr. Blakewell will discuss your options on an individual basis.

Here are some sample schedules of freshman students in band.

The schedules are from the 2003 –2004 school year

   As a member of the band students have the opportunity to get acquainted early with the building and make new friends.