Our Band Program

The Benjamin Franklin Wind Ensemble is a year-long, audition-only ensemble that epitomizes all aspects of excellence in technical and musical qualities. Students will perform both in small group ensembles and as a large group. This also includes significant creative elements. We perform five concerts per year, members form the pep band, travel, and compete; attendance is required for all. Fluency in all scales (number of octaves is dependent on instrument, including chromatic) and rudiments is required. An audition will include (but is not necessarily limited to) multiple scales, a prepared solo, and sight reading. Audition requirements: Scales (chosen from all 12 major/minor and chromatic), solo/excerpt, and sight reading (most likely repertoire from previous year). 

Students will be graded based on attendance and behavior. Fluency in the majority of major scales (at least one octave) and rudiments is required as well as familiarity with chromatic scale(s). Placement within this class is based upon audition. Literature will emphasize works from the standard high school repertoire. Students will perform both in small group ensemble projects and as a large group. This also includes significant creative elements. We perform five concerts per year and combine to form the school’s pep band; attendance is required for all. An audition will include (but is not necessarily limited to) multiple scales, a prepared solo/excerpt, and sight reading. Audition requirements: Scales (chosen from major scales), prepared solo/excerpt, and sight reading (most likely repertoire from previous year). 

 The Benjamin Franklin Concert Band is a year-long, performance-related, skill-building class that emphasizes foundational musical technique on specific instruments as well as written theory. This also includes significant creative elements. We perform five concerts per year and various extra performances as they appear yearly; attendance is required for all. These events may not necessarily occur during the school day. Students will be graded based on participation,  behavior, and written theory. This class is the continuation of ensemble instruction from the elementary level, focusing on technical skills that lead to an aesthetically pleasing performance. An audition is required of students new to Benjamin Franklin. An audition will include (but is not necessarily limited to) multiple scales, a prepared solo, and sight reading.  While no experience is necessarily required, it is highly recommended that students are not new to an instrument. 

The Beginning Band is a year-long, performance-related, skill-building class that emphasizes foundational musical technique on specific instruments. This also includes significant creative elements and performance opportunities as they develop their sound. No audition is required and no experience is needed to join this ensemble. This ensemble performs five concerts a year. The goal is to reach Concert Band by the end of the year. 

Guitar will focus on developing musicianship skills through the medium of the guitar. We will learn the basics of playing guitar (including finger positions, various chords, multiple forms of music notation, chord progressions, etc.), its role in music-making (currently and historically), applicable music theory, and the development of popular music (focusing on the 20th century to the present). We will also cover musical styles involving guitar (or guitar-like) instruments. Students will perform music individually, in small groups, and as a large guitar ensemble in two mini recitals. A primary objective of this course is to prepare students for a life of thoughtful music involvement through various musical experiences.