Fraser High School Band
Concert Band
The Concert Band consists of students in grades 10 through 12, and performs as a concert and marching unit at school and community functions. It studies standard band literature from an intermediate to advanced level. Emphasis is placed on the continuing development and study of all technical and musical concepts. This class includes weekly Wednesday evening and seminar rehearsals during the marching season, and may include extra rehearsals at other times throughout the school year. The student must attend a summer band camp (at their expense). Failure to fulfill the requirements of Marching Band will result in loss of credit for the Concert Band for the first marking period.
In addition to the marching season, the Concert Band performs in the Holiday concert in December, the Festival concert in February, the Band Festival in March, and the Spring concert in May each year. There are also opportunities for students to participate in the District and State Solo & Ensemble Festival as soloists, small ensembles, and large chamber ensembles.
Jazz Ensemble
The Jazz Band is open to all students grades 9 through 12 by audition only, and is a performing ensemble. Music from the early swing period of the 1930's to contemporary jazz will be studied and performed. Students will be expected to learn many different styles related to, but not limited to, jazz, rock, Latin, swing, etc. This class also focuses on improvisation skills essential to jazz performance. Students will learn blues scales and jazz modes as tools for improvising. Typical instrumentation would be 5 saxophones (2 alto sax, 2 tenor sax, 1 baritone sax), 5 trombones, 5 trumpets, 2 drummers, bass guitar, rhythm guitar, and keyboard. Final instrumentation is at the director's discretion.
Members of the Jazz Band must be enrolled in one of the other regular instrumental performing ensembles (Varsity, Concert, or Symphony Bands), except for the rhythm guitar, bass guitar, and keyboard players.
Each year, the Jazz Band performs at the Holiday concert in December, the State Jazz Festival in March or April, and the Spring concert in May. There are also many opportunities for performances in the community, at banquets and receptions, competitions around the state and country, and honors jazz ensembles.
Marching Band
Colorguard
Symphony Band
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Symphony Band consists of students in grades 9 through 12, accepted by audition only, and performs as a concert and marching unit at school and community functions. It studies standard band literature of an advanced level, striving for an attainment equal to the best high school and college band organizations. Emphasis is placed on the continuing development and study of all technical and musical concepts. This class includes weekly Wednesday evening and seminar rehearsals during the marching season, and may include extra rehearsals at other times throughout the school year. The student must attend summer band camp (at their expense). Failure to fulfill the requirement of marching band will result in loss of credit for Symphony band for the first marking period.
In addition to the marching season, Symphony Band performs in the Holiday concert in December, Festival concert in February, Band Festival in March, and the Spring concert in May each year. There are also opportunities for students to participate in District and State Solo & Ensemble Festival as soloists, small ensembles, and large chamber ensembles, as well as District, State, and university honors bands, and the Michigan Youth Arts Festival. There are also opportunities to travel for out-of-state music competitions.
Varsity Band
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Varsity Band is the band in which all 9th grader students should enroll. It performs as a concert unit with an emphasis evenly placed on achieving a high level of ability in all technical and musical aspects of performance. No student may enroll in Varsity Band for more than one year without the consent of the director. Upon completion of Varsity Band, students may enroll in Concert Band, or audition for acceptance into Symphony Band.
Students who enroll in Varsity Band have the OPTION to participate in Marching Band. Marching Band includes attendance to band camp which is prior to the start of school (at the student's expense), weekly practices on Wednesday evenings and during SMART, and the marching obligations of the class. By choosing to participate in Marching Band, the student must understand that it is a commitment for the entire marching season. Failure to fulfill the obligations of participation in Marching Band will result in the loss of credit for Varsity Band for the first marking period.
Each year, the Varsity band performs in the Holiday concert in December, Festival concert in February, Band Festival in March, and the Spring concert in May. There are also opportunities for students to participate in District and State Solo & Ensemble Festival as soloists, small ensembles, and large chamber ensembles.