May 28, 2019 Freshman Meeting HANDOUT
Why Join the Grissom High School Band?
Imagine attending a new school and not knowing anything about where to go, or who to talk to. The transition from middle school to high school is easier for band students because you will have over 225+ friends to help you through this process. Incoming band freshmen have immediate contact with upperclassmen, in a big brother/big sister kind of way. High school band is very healthy for students in a multitude of ways.
The Facts:
Grissom High School’s band program is well known nationally and internationally, not only for its high standards of performance, but also for the quality of experience given to its members. Our band program is a model for programs across the country. As you participate in the program and continue to grow, this will become more and more clear to you, as it has to literally hundreds of students before you. The pride and sense of camaraderie will profoundly impact your future. Most students who come to Grissom High School are aware of our reputation, but how we reach such high levels is at least a mystery, and often the source of great fear. Incoming freshmen often assume that the only way to get so good is to do nothing else. This could not be further from the truth. In fact, one of the facets of the band that we are most proud of is that we accomplish these very high goals while maintaining a balance with the total school experience. We have top scholars, athletes, honor society members, student government leaders, etc. among our ranks.
Some Additional Facts:
Why Join the Grissom High School Band?
Imagine attending a new school and not knowing anything about where to go, or who to talk to. The transition from middle school to high school is easier for band students because you will have over 225+ friends to help you through this process. Incoming band freshmen have immediate contact with upperclassmen, in a big brother/big sister kind of way. High school band is very healthy for students in a multitude of ways.
The Facts:
- We know that high school band students represent the top of the academic scale in our schools. We know that band students are averaging 62 points higher on SAT tests, which would indicate that they are stronger in verbal and math scores than other members of the student body. We also know band students are students who enjoy a successful high school career, go on to college and become the leaders in our society. There is a definite link between the top achiever academically and the band student. They are one and the same.
- In The Arts: An Essential Ingredient in Education, J. Buchen Milley states that "research shows that when arts are included in the student’s curriculum, reading, writing and math scores improve. Like all arts, music has a profound effect on the academic success of the student. Band is a group effort. Members are required to shift from an I/Me reasoning to a We/Us concept. This means extending oneself beyond the normal considerations of much of our day-to-day living. Instead of the logic being, what’s in it for me, it becomes, what’s in it for us. The values of cooperation, communication, concentration, correlation and completion come into play each rehearsal and performance."
- Music is one of the few academic disciplines that require the student to master skills and apply them in performance. In other words, music involves multiple forms of learning.
- Band builds positive self-worth. Although we share many similarities with our athletic counterparts, band is a place for everyone.
Grissom High School’s band program is well known nationally and internationally, not only for its high standards of performance, but also for the quality of experience given to its members. Our band program is a model for programs across the country. As you participate in the program and continue to grow, this will become more and more clear to you, as it has to literally hundreds of students before you. The pride and sense of camaraderie will profoundly impact your future. Most students who come to Grissom High School are aware of our reputation, but how we reach such high levels is at least a mystery, and often the source of great fear. Incoming freshmen often assume that the only way to get so good is to do nothing else. This could not be further from the truth. In fact, one of the facets of the band that we are most proud of is that we accomplish these very high goals while maintaining a balance with the total school experience. We have top scholars, athletes, honor society members, student government leaders, etc. among our ranks.
Some Additional Facts:
- Will Band fit in an aggressive academic schedule? Yes! We have students who are planning to enter all fields in college. The class schedule at Grissom High School is made to allow these students to take a full schedule of classes (including A.P.) and play in one or more of the bands during all four years.
- How good do I have to be? All students are admitted into the band program.
- Will band and time commitment adversely affect my grades? Whether you are in activities, or not, at Grissom High School, good grades are dependent upon being a good worker. If you are conscientious and organized, band, or any other activity, will not adversely affect your grades. The bands’ schedules have been carefully developed to work with the school’s academic demands. In fact, many of the school’s top scholars are in band. We average two to three times our statistical allotment of members in the top of their graduation class and National Honor Society.
- College Scholarships? Many of our graduates receive some sort of financial aid while they participate in college band programs. These awards vary deepening upon the school but to just participate in a college band program you can receive financial aid.
Here are some additional resources about being in the band.
Check out these websites and videos
Why Music is Important
Why Music? Why Band?
The Case for Music Education
Why Music?
Check out these websites and videos
Why Music is Important
Why Music? Why Band?
The Case for Music Education
Why Music?
2020 SPRING and SUMMER CAMP SCHEDULES!
2020-2021 ALL UPCOMING FRESHMAN BAND MEMBERS
All current 8th graders are required to attend the Rookie Camp the week directly after school is out. May 26-29 from 8:00am-12:00pm. Please make arrangements to be here for that week. We ask that you bring a $50.00 (check made out to Grissom Band Parents) deposit towards your band fees during this week as well. You will also need to fill out a field trip form! We also have a freshman band parent orientation meeting on Tuesday, May 26 at 7pm in the Grissom Band Room. Come with questions. You will receive a lot of information in this one hour or so meeting. Go HERE for financial obligations.
COLOR GUARD SCHEDULE (Required Attendance)
May 4-7 - GHS color guard clinic/auditions (4-6pm)
June 1-5 GHS 1st color guard camp (8a-3p) (Contest Band only)
July 6-10 GHS 2nd color guard camp -(8a-3p) (Contest Band only)
PERCUSSION SCHEDULE (Required Attendance)
Spring clinic and audition dates coming soon.
June 1-5 1st Percussion Camp - 8am-3pm (Contest Band only)
July 6-10 2nd Percussion Camp - 8am-3pm (Contest Band only)
Please make arrangements to be in attendance at all camps.
BAND CAMPS SCHEDULE
(Required Attendance for ALL Marching Band Members)
ROOKIE CAMP for all incoming freshman and new marchers.
May 26-29, 2020 (8am-12pm)
PRE-CAMP for ALL MARCHING BAND MEMBERS
ALL MEMBERS!
July 20-24 (8am-12pm)
May have some extra Contest Band rehearsals in the evening. TBA!
BAND CAMP for ALL MARCHING BAND MEMBERS
July 27-31 (8am-12pm - Football Band) (1:30-4:00 - contest band only) (6-9pm - contest band only)
July 31 - 6:00-7:30pm - End of Band Camp Family Picnic/Preview Show (Milton Frank Stadium, Grissom Football or Soccer Field)
2020-2021 ALL UPCOMING FRESHMAN BAND MEMBERS
All current 8th graders are required to attend the Rookie Camp the week directly after school is out. May 26-29 from 8:00am-12:00pm. Please make arrangements to be here for that week. We ask that you bring a $50.00 (check made out to Grissom Band Parents) deposit towards your band fees during this week as well. You will also need to fill out a field trip form! We also have a freshman band parent orientation meeting on Tuesday, May 26 at 7pm in the Grissom Band Room. Come with questions. You will receive a lot of information in this one hour or so meeting. Go HERE for financial obligations.
COLOR GUARD SCHEDULE (Required Attendance)
May 4-7 - GHS color guard clinic/auditions (4-6pm)
June 1-5 GHS 1st color guard camp (8a-3p) (Contest Band only)
July 6-10 GHS 2nd color guard camp -(8a-3p) (Contest Band only)
PERCUSSION SCHEDULE (Required Attendance)
Spring clinic and audition dates coming soon.
June 1-5 1st Percussion Camp - 8am-3pm (Contest Band only)
July 6-10 2nd Percussion Camp - 8am-3pm (Contest Band only)
Please make arrangements to be in attendance at all camps.
BAND CAMPS SCHEDULE
(Required Attendance for ALL Marching Band Members)
ROOKIE CAMP for all incoming freshman and new marchers.
May 26-29, 2020 (8am-12pm)
PRE-CAMP for ALL MARCHING BAND MEMBERS
ALL MEMBERS!
July 20-24 (8am-12pm)
May have some extra Contest Band rehearsals in the evening. TBA!
BAND CAMP for ALL MARCHING BAND MEMBERS
July 27-31 (8am-12pm - Football Band) (1:30-4:00 - contest band only) (6-9pm - contest band only)
July 31 - 6:00-7:30pm - End of Band Camp Family Picnic/Preview Show (Milton Frank Stadium, Grissom Football or Soccer Field)
Incoming Freshmen Audition Information.
The Grissom High School Band Directors will come to each Middle School during your band class to conduct the audition in April or May. Every 8th grade student is required to audition as part of their final exam grade in Middle School. If you do not attend Challenger, Mtn. Gap or Whitesburg please contact the band directors to set up an audition time. This audition can be done during the Rookie Camp as well. All freshmen are required to attend the Rookie Camp held the week immediately following the end of the school year. This camp is an introduction to the band as well as an introduction to the marching season. Marching fundamentals are taught by our student leaders. All new Grissom Band members are required to march their first year in band.
Audition Information (go here for Jazz Band Information)
The Grissom High School Band Directors will come to each Middle School during your band class to conduct the audition in April or May. Every 8th grade student is required to audition as part of their final exam grade in Middle School. If you do not attend Challenger, Mtn. Gap or Whitesburg please contact the band directors to set up an audition time. This audition can be done during the Rookie Camp as well. All freshmen are required to attend the Rookie Camp held the week immediately following the end of the school year. This camp is an introduction to the band as well as an introduction to the marching season. Marching fundamentals are taught by our student leaders. All new Grissom Band members are required to march their first year in band.
Audition Information (go here for Jazz Band Information)
- Major Scales/Rudiments: 12 major scales including arpeggios as many octaves as you can play in eighth notes at MM quarter note = 120. Percussionists will play the rudiments listed below and your 12 major scales on Mallets including arpeggios.
- Chromatic Scale: See scale sheet for octave requirement.
- Etudes: Play 2 etudes for your instrument; one lyrical and one technical. Percussionists will play 3 etudes one each for Snare, Mallets, and Timpani. All the required Etudes are available here as PDF files. Please download these files and have fun practicing!
- Sight-reading: Everyone may sight-read a short piece. Percussionists may sight read for your chosen major instrument: Snare, Mallets or Timpani.
SHEET MUSIC for 2020 auditions
Go HERE to listen to podcasts for your instrument! Percussion podcast is NOT your audition music.
Printed Sheet music. This music was given out to current 8th graders in all middle school band on January 28 at Grissom!
Flute - Scales / Lyrical Etude - Technical Etude
Oboe - Scales / Lyrical Etude - Technical Etude
Bassoon - Scales / Lyrical Etude - Technical Etude
Bb Clarinet - Scales / Lyrical Etude - Technical Etude
Bass Clarinet - Scales / Lyrical Etude - Technical Etude
Saxophones - Scales / Lyrical Etude - Technical Etude
Trumpet - Scales / Lyrical Etude - Technical Etude
French Horn - Scales / Lyrical Etude - Technical Etude
Trombone and Euphonium - Scales / Lyrical and Technical Etude
Tuba - Scales / Lyrical Etude - Technical Etude
Mallets - Scales / Etude
Snare - Etude
Go HERE to listen to podcasts for your instrument! Percussion podcast is NOT your audition music.
Printed Sheet music. This music was given out to current 8th graders in all middle school band on January 28 at Grissom!
Flute - Scales / Lyrical Etude - Technical Etude
Oboe - Scales / Lyrical Etude - Technical Etude
Bassoon - Scales / Lyrical Etude - Technical Etude
Bb Clarinet - Scales / Lyrical Etude - Technical Etude
Bass Clarinet - Scales / Lyrical Etude - Technical Etude
Saxophones - Scales / Lyrical Etude - Technical Etude
Trumpet - Scales / Lyrical Etude - Technical Etude
French Horn - Scales / Lyrical Etude - Technical Etude
Trombone and Euphonium - Scales / Lyrical and Technical Etude
Tuba - Scales / Lyrical Etude - Technical Etude
Mallets - Scales / Etude
Snare - Etude