Cherokee Trail Band Program Courses and Pep Band

Non-Audition Ensemble Bands

CONCERT BAND
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
The CT Concert Band is a cornerstone of our music program. It allows students to develop musical skills and fosters growth in musicianship, technique, and music theory. The band performs a diverse repertoire and helps students build a sense of teamwork. 

Student and Instrument Qualifications

All students with prior experience playing woodwinds, brass, or percussion instruments are strongly encouraged to join the Concert Band. Instrumentation may be limited in certain sections.

Open to Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, Saxophone, French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium (Baritone), Tuba, String Bass, and Percussion.

Performance Opportunities and Participation

The Concert Band performs at school concerts throughout the year. Rehearsals, field trips, and performances will occasionally be outside of regular school hours. Student participation is required.

JAZZ BAND 1
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Jazz Band 1 is a dynamic and exciting ensemble that serves as the introductory jazz ensemble at Cherokee Trail. Students will delve into the fundamentals of jazz music, including its history and performance techniques. One of the most exciting aspects of joining a jazz band is learning to improvise. Learning improvisation is broken down into manageable steps, including:

• Learning the scales and chords that form the foundation of improvisation

• Learning short, repeating patterns or licks that fit within a particular chord progression

• Call-and-response exercises

• A supportive environment where students feel free to explore and try new ideas

This course provides a foundation for progression into Jazz Band 2.

Student and Instrument Qualifications

Students with prior experience playing specific woodwinds, brass, strings, or percussion instruments are encouraged to join Jazz 1.

Open to Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Piano, Bass, Guitar, Drum Set, and Vibes.

Performance Opportunities and Participation

Jazz Band 1 performs at school concerts throughout the year. Rehearsals, field trips, and performances will occasionally be outside of regular school hours. Student participation is required.

Audition-Required Ensemble Bands

JAZZ BAND 2
Grades: 10, 11, 12
Jazz Band 2 is an intermediate-level jazz ensemble designed for students ready to take their jazz skills to the next level. Students in the intermediate jazz band expand upon the basics learned in introductory ensembles, diving deeper into:

• Improvisation skills and techniques

• Advanced chord progressions

• Developing jazz style

• Critical listening and improved music theory

Jazz Band 2 explores a broader range of jazz genres, including big band swing, bossa nova, hard bop, fusion, and funk. The repertoire includes intermediate-level arrangements of jazz standards and original compositions, emphasizing ensemble precision, collaboration, and stylistic authenticity.

Student Qualifications and Audition

This ensemble requires an audition, ensuring members have a solid foundation in jazz fundamentals and ensemble performance. Audition may include:

• Prepared pieces showcasing technical and stylistic ability

• Sight-reading of jazz charts

• A brief improvisation segment over a simple chord progression

Instrument Qualifications

Instrumentation is limited within the group. Open to Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Piano, Bass, Guitar, Drum Set, and Vibes.

Performance Opportunities and Participation

Jazz Band 2 performs at school concerts throughout the year. Additional rehearsals, field trips, and performances will be outside regular school hours. Student participation is required.

JAZZ BAND 3
Grades: 10, 11, 12
Jazz Band 3 is the advanced jazz ensemble at CTHS and represents the pinnacle of the school's jazz program, featuring its most skilled and dedicated musicians. Students in the advanced jazz band expand upon the basics learned in introductory and intermediate ensembles, diving deeper into:

• Crafting solos using advanced techniques like modal improvisation, altered scales, and chromatic approaches

• Explore personal expression and develop their unique voice as soloists

• Tight, polished percussion sound with clean articulation, precise dynamics, and stylistic authenticity

• Intricate grooves, advanced comping, and creative interplay with soloists

Jazz Band 3 explores professional-level arrangements of jazz standards, big band charts, and modern compositions in swing, bebop, Latin, fusion, and funk. This course emphasizes high-level jazz literature, style, improvisation, critical listening, and ensemble performance.

Student Qualifications and Audition

This ensemble requires an audition, ensuring members have an exceptional foundation in jazz fundamentals and ensemble performance. Audition may include:

• Performing a prepared piece from an advanced jazz repertoire

• Sight-reading complex jazz charts

• Improvising over challenging chord changes, such as ii-V-I progressions with substitutions or modal scales

• Demonstrating knowledge of jazz theory, including chord-scale relationships and voicings (for rhythm section players)

Instrument Qualifications

Enrollment is limited due to instrumentation constraints. The program is open to Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Piano, Bass, Guitar, Drum Set, and Vibes.

Performance Opportunities and Participation

Jazz Band 3 performs at school concerts throughout the year. Additional rehearsals, field trips, and performances will be outside regular school hours. Student participation is required.

WIND ENSEMBLE
Grades: 10, 11, 12
The Wind Ensemble is the premier concert band within the CT band program, showcasing the school's most advanced musicians. This ensemble focuses on exceptional concert band literature and demands high dedication. It is designed for students passionate about challenging themselves and performing sophisticated repertoire at a professional standard.

Student Qualifications and Audition

This ensemble requires an audition, ensuring members have an exceptional foundation in technical proficiency, musical expression, sight-reading skills, and ensemble awareness. Audition may include:

• Performing a solo or etude that demonstrates technical ability and musical expression

• Playing a variety of major, minor, and chromatic scales across a wide range

• Performing a short excerpt provided during the audition to demonstrate their sight-reading ability

Instrument Qualifications

Instrumentation is limited. Open to Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, Saxophone, French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium (Baritone), Tuba, String Bass, and Percussion.

Performance Opportunities and Participation

Wind Ensemble performs at school concerts throughout the year. Students should expect to dedicate significant practice time outside of class. Additional rehearsals, field trips, and performances will be outside regular school hours. Student participation is required.

Pep Band

PEP BAND

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12

The CT pep band is the heartbeat of school spirit, bringing energy and excitement to games and events. The pep band is a high-energy ensemble playing upbeat, popular music to pump up the crowd. It’s an opportunity for musicians to let loose, have fun, and show off their talent while supporting their school’s teams.

Student and Instrument Qualifications

This ensemble is not a class but meets and performs outside regular school hours throughout the school year. This ensemble requires dedication and enthusiasm. All students with prior experience playing specific woodwinds, brass, or percussion instruments can join the Pep Band.

Open to Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium (Baritone), Tuba, and Drums (audition required for Drumline).

Performance Opportunities and Participation

The Pep Band performs at school games and events throughout the year. All rehearsals, field trips, and performances will be outside regular school hours.