Downers Grove South Mustang Bands
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Concert Bands

Wind Ensemble

The Wind Ensemble is the top band course offered at South High School, and membership requires a serious commitment to superior performance. Auditions are in the spring based on two auditions that will include IMEA etudes, sight reading and personal selections from each student. Students are urged to begin or continue private lessons as member of this ensemble. Musical literature is advanced, and is selected to achieve a smaller chamber wind sound. Prerequisites include completely accurate demonstration of technical and musical ability through the audition process, and membership in one of the other concert bands for at least one year. Winds and percussion are selected through audition to perform with the District Orchestra for two or three concerts each year. Winds and percussion may also be selected from Wind Ensemble to perform in the pit orchestra of the annual A Cappella Choir Musical. This full year course, which meets daily, offers activities including concert, festival, solo/ensemble, and organizational contest performances requiring extra time commitments for evenings and weekends. Wind Ensemble will perform at four major concerts during the year, as well as small ensembles.

Wind Symphony

The Wind Symphony is the second highest of the 4 concert bands, and membership requires a serious commitment to excellent performance. Auditions are in the spring based on two auditions that will include IMEA etudes, sight reading and personal selections from each student. Musical literature for Wind Symphony is advanced, and many times the difficulty level is exactly the same as the Wind Ensemble. Prerequisites include accurate demonstration of technical and musical ability through the audition process, and membership in one of the other concert bands for at least one year (with the exception of extremely talented freshmen that may be selected through the January audition process in 8th grade). This full year course, which meet daily offers activates including concert, festival, solo/ensemble, and organizational contest performances requiring extra time commitments for evenings and weekends. Wind Symphony will perform at four major concerts during the school year, and all students will participate in a small ensembles.

Symphonic Band

The Symphonic Band is one of the top three band courses offered at South High School, and membership requires a serious commitment to excellent performance. Musical literature is both moderate and advanced, and is selected to achieve a large symphonic sound. Prerequisites include accurate demonstration of technical and musical ability through testing in scales, rhythm, tone, sight reading and intonation. This full year course, which meets daily, offers activities including concert, festival, solo/ensemble, and organizational contest performances requiring extra time commitments for evenings and weekends. Symphonic Band will perform at three major concerts during the school year, and all students will participate in a small ensembles.

Concert Band

Concert Band is the entry level band course at South High. A great majority of incoming freshmen students will be placed in Concert Band  after an audition at each of the Middle Schools. The course offers all students with excellent performing and reading skills an opportunity to pursue their interests in the band experience. Along with the enjoyment of playing in a large ensemble filled with students from other middle schools, students will meet in three groups of like instruments.  Through these smaller groups,  students will continue to develop playing skills, rhythmic and pitch accuracy, and the ability to sight read.  This full year course rehearses daily and requires extra time commitments for performances. Concert Band  will perform at three major concerts during the school year, and all students will participate in a small ensembles.