Performance Opportunities in the Westborough High School Band Program
Curricular Groups
SYMPHONIC BAND: The Symphonic Band is our auditioned ensemble. This group performs several concerts a year, including the MICCA Concert Festival. Students in this ensemble will perform music from the grade 4 and 5 lists. This constitutes some of the more challenging music available for public school bands. Symphonic Band students are strongly encouraged to participate in district/all-state audition process. Members of the Symphonic Band are selected by audition.
CONCERT BAND: The Concert Band is the non-auditioned concert ensemble. This group performs several concerts a year, including the MICCA Concert Festival. Students in this ensemble will perform music from the grades 3 and 4 lists. Concert Band students are encouraged to participate in the district/all-state audition process.
CONCERT BAND: The Concert Band is the non-auditioned concert ensemble. This group performs several concerts a year, including the MICCA Concert Festival. Students in this ensemble will perform music from the grades 3 and 4 lists. Concert Band students are encouraged to participate in the district/all-state audition process.
Extracurricular Groups
MARCHING BAND: Meeting primarily in the fall during football season, the Marching Band requires extra rehearsals, summer rehearsals, and some weekend time from September through November. Members are must be enrolled in either Symphonic Band or Concert Band, but membership in Marching Band is not required for those courses.
Marching band activities include playing at all Westborough home and away football games, pep-rallies, and community parades. The Marching Band will rehearse after school on Wednesdays from 5:00 to 8:00. Additional short rehearsals on performance days may be called as necessary.
JAZZ BAND: There are two jazz bands at Westborough High School. Membership to these groups is by audition and there are a fixed number of spots available in the ensembles. Students wishing to participate in Jazz Band on wind instruments or drum set must also be a member of Symphonic Band or Concert Band. Guitar, string bass, and piano are open to members and non-members of the WHS Bands.
Jazz Band auditions will be held during the fall and rehearsals will be scheduled outside of the school day at a time to be determined. All rehearsals and performances are required and a failure to meet those requirements might result in dismissal from the ensemble.
CHAMBER ENSEMBLES: During the school year, some students will be selected to participate in smaller ensembles based on traditional chamber wind instrumentations. These smaller groups require more accountability for part mastery since there is often only one student performing that part. These ensembles provide our students an opportunity for tremendous growth.
Rehearsal and performance opportunities for chamber ensembles will be determined based on interest and the Westborough Public Schools calendar.
Marching band activities include playing at all Westborough home and away football games, pep-rallies, and community parades. The Marching Band will rehearse after school on Wednesdays from 5:00 to 8:00. Additional short rehearsals on performance days may be called as necessary.
JAZZ BAND: There are two jazz bands at Westborough High School. Membership to these groups is by audition and there are a fixed number of spots available in the ensembles. Students wishing to participate in Jazz Band on wind instruments or drum set must also be a member of Symphonic Band or Concert Band. Guitar, string bass, and piano are open to members and non-members of the WHS Bands.
Jazz Band auditions will be held during the fall and rehearsals will be scheduled outside of the school day at a time to be determined. All rehearsals and performances are required and a failure to meet those requirements might result in dismissal from the ensemble.
CHAMBER ENSEMBLES: During the school year, some students will be selected to participate in smaller ensembles based on traditional chamber wind instrumentations. These smaller groups require more accountability for part mastery since there is often only one student performing that part. These ensembles provide our students an opportunity for tremendous growth.
Rehearsal and performance opportunities for chamber ensembles will be determined based on interest and the Westborough Public Schools calendar.
Private Lessons
While it is not a requirement for participation in the WHS Band program, all students are strongly encouraged to seek out the assistance of a private instructor on their instrument. Students will learn a lot by participating in band, but nothing can replace the one-on-one instruction that private lessons provide. Any families interested in finding a private teacher for their child should contact Mr. Doyle through his district e-mail.