Instrumental Music
Johnstown High School
Symphonic Band
Symphonic Band is the transitional band between the instrumental experiences at Knox and the JHS Wind Ensemble. Symphonic Band, typically working at a NYSSMA level 3-4, is comprised mostly of freshmen and sophomores, as well as some upper classmen who had room in their schedule. The group is full of promising talent! The band rehearses every day during first period. The personalities and talents within this band virtually guarantee success for the future bands in Johnstown High School. The students take weekly lessons and will learn solo or duet pieces and all their major scales. It will be exciting developing their talents as Mr. Jones is relying on them for the future of our bands.
Wind Ensemble
Wind Ensemble is the top instrumental ensemble of the high school. It is comprised of mostly junior and seniors, with a few talented sophomores and a few hard-working freshman that made the cut. The group plays at a NYSSMA level 5-6, as well as the standard literature of the band repertoire. The group also experiments with the more contemporary styles of recently composed pieces. The music selected for this group truly relies on the individual performers.
The 2003-2004 JHS Wind Ensemble was proud to perform Shakata! by Dana Wilson. Dr. Wilson worked with our students for two hours in a session on this piece. These students take weekly lessons, learn solo works, small ensemble pieces and all their major scales! Mr. Jones is especially fond of this group, as they meet every day third period, making great music together. The group will continue to perform major contemporary works from the band repertoire as well as some lighter numbers for the enjoyment of our audiences.
Knox Junior High School
The Knox Jr. High School bands are directed by Andrew LaCoppola. Currently, there are three performing groups, which include the Purple Band, the Gold Band and the Knox Jazz Band. Students are also given weekly instrumental lessons; these are done in smaller groups, and may even result in small chamber groups (for example, Percussion Ensemble, Woodwind Choir, Brass Ensemble, etc.)
The Purple Band is comprised mostly of seventh graders who are performing at a NYSSMA Level I after the sixth grade. Also included are eighth graders who are either starting out, or did not achieve a NYSSMA Level II by the end of their seventh grade year. The group performs music that reinforces basic music skills and concepts, usually at the Level I or Level II range. The band gives four performances a year: the Winter Concert, PRISM Concert, Spring Concert, and Eighth Grade Promotion. In May, students are required to perform a Level II solo, scales, and sight-reading in order to be promoted to the Gold Band the following year.
The Gold Band is made up of those eighth graders who have successfully completed the requirements of NYSSMA Level II or higher. The members perform more challenging music (Level III and Level IV), and must reach higher standards of musicianship in their group lessons. The Gold Band also gives four performances a year: the Winter Concert, PRISM Concert, Spring Concert, and the Knox Tour of elementary schools throughout the district. In May, students must perform a solo, scales and sight-reading at or above Level III. They may also audition for a seat in the High School Wind Ensemble.
The Jazz Band meets after school once a week and its membership includes band students in both seventh and eighth grades, as well as the occasional student not involved in other performing groups. Instrumentation includes alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones, trumpets, trombones, piano, guitar, bass, drums, and percussion. Also performing at four events per year, the band entertains audiences with traditional big band, jazz, and occasionally pop music at the Winter Concert, PRISM Concert, Spring Concert, and the Johnstown Public Library's Storybook Brunch. The students are exposed to jazz history, artists, and listening during rehearsals to expand their developing improvisation skills.
A commitment to after school rehearsals is required to be a member of the group.
All students in the program are encouraged to attend the NYSSMA Solo Festival in early June to perform for a trained adjudicator and receive a rating. Students that choose to do this are exempt from performing their solo, scales, and sight-reading for promotion at the end of the year.
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Elementary Band
Glebe Street, Jansen Avenue, and Pleasant Avenue elementary schools each have a concert band consisting of second-year instrumentalists and the more advanced first-year band students. These students involved with the concert band perform at the winter concert in December and the All-City concert held in May.
Each March, in celebration of the national "Music in Our Schools Month," the concert bands perform for the community at the Johnstown Senior Citizens Center, the Wells House Nursing Home and the Willing Helpers Home for Women. Some of the second year players from Glebe, Jansen, and Pleasant Avenue are also elected to perform with the Fulton county Music Educators Association All County elementary band held in February. In May, some students perform a solo for the NYSSMA solo festival.
Warren Street
The Warren Street School has two bands - one consisting of fifth graders and beginners, the other consisting of sixth graders and second-year students. Each student receives a half hour group lesson every week, and each band rehearses at least once a week from 2-3
p.m. The band lessons and rehearsals are on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please check with Mr. Jones to find out your lesson time.
Each student is eligible to apply for the FCMEA All-County Elementary band, which is formed in February and performs at the county-wide concert. Please check
www.fcmea.org for more information. All four elementary bands join forces in May to rehearse and present the annual All-City Concert. The concert will be presented on May 26 at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium.
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