• Course Descriptions

    Gateway Bands have three levels of concert band depending on the experience of the student musician. Band I, II, III will receive instruction in instrumental skills through the performance of increasingly challenging band literature, music fundamentals, and famous melodies. Gateway Bands are year-long classes, and although Jazz Band is a club, it is the Gateway expectation that students will make a commitment for the whole year. Gateway Bands participate in events during and after school throughout the year, including concerts, assemblies, and music festival field trips.

    • Band I (Beginning Band) is designed for beginning players who will learn the basic concepts of the instruments and performance skills. It is also for students who may have some musical experience but have never played in a band setting before. Students will choose an instrument and they will learn to create characteristic sounds on that instrument. Students will learn note and rhythm reading fundamentals.

    • Band II (Intermediate Band) is primarily designed for advancing 2nd year players who understand the basic concepts of their instruments and demonstrate a moderately high level of proficiency in performance skills. Students will continue to develop their skills and will strengthen fundamentals, such as fingerings, notes, rhythms, scales, and dynamics.

    • Band III (Advanced Band) is our 3rd year band and the emphasis is on performance and developing ensemble skills. This class is for experienced instrumentalists continuing in their music practice. Students will continue to develop their skills and will strengthen fundamentals, such as fingerings, notes, rhythms, scales, and dynamics.

    • Jazz Band is an auditioned club. It is an advanced musical option for students who want to explore being as creative as possible with their instrument. Students will learn to the various basic concepts of jazz phrasing, style, ensemble performance and especially improvisation! We will learn famous jazz melodies and jazz history as well. We will use play-a-long tracks to practice improvisation at home.

    Please click the links to the left for details regarding your student's class!