Something unexpected, yet very exciting is happening at West Branch this school year. Honors Symphonic Band is now an offered class. With that, it’ll open a whole new world for honor band students, allowing them to take their music education to the next level.
When this was announced the dedicated band students were ecstatic and incredibly excited to start this new symphonic band. After all, most of them have only had one offered “concert” band class, that was meant for everyone. Now, musically advanced students have an elevated course designed to challenge their ability and help them reach the next level.
The symphonic band class, while not a new/different class period or anything like that, offers a higher level of education for those enrolled. For example, those enrolled in the honors symphonic band will receive weekly assignments that the typical concert band will not have to do. In the past, festivals were 100% voluntary and students received no academic recognition for the preparation of their festival folders, which consisted of college-level literature. Now, students enrolled will be obligated to sign up for PMEA festivals, as well as the county band festival. The class is also considered an honors class, so it counts as an honors credit meaning it’s a weighted class. Since it’s weighted, the grades are separated into different categories such as tone, pitch, familiarity, musicianship, and participation. This is all new because intricate details of the students’ playing/musical abilities have never been assessed. Now that it is, the student’s hard work, time, and talent, won’t be ignored. New theory, techniques, and history content will also be a part of the course material that in the past concert band class had overlooked.
Current symphonic band member, Addison Collar says, “It’s nice because our marching band achievements don’t go unnoticed. Learning music literature for marching band is also an assessed element of the honors class.”
It’s great to see more musical opportunities for West Branch students.
