VIERA HIGH SCHOOL INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

2009-2010 Information Page
Updated 10/18

 

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Welcome 2009 Freshmen and New Members! 

 

Current 8th grade band and orchestra students in the Viera High School boundaries should begin planning for their transition to high school.  This page will help you understand your options within the VHS Instrumental Music Program.

 

 

BAND & ORCHESTRA STUDENTS

 

Welcome!

The staff and students of the VHS Instrumental Music Program are already preparing for the next exciting school year!  With state-of-the-art facilities, instruments, and equipment paired with quality instruction from a talented, POSITIVE team of professionals, you will feel 'at home' at VHS!  The program is already known for its comprehensive approach to music education and its high-quality performances that are rehearsed in a fun, social, and musically rewarding atmosphere.  The VHS Instrumental Music Program is again projected to be among the largest and most comprehensive in the county during the 2009-2010 school year.  We hope this website proves useful to you as you prepare to enter Viera High School.  Please browse this site and let us know if you have any questions.

To graduate from high school in Florida, 2008 freshmen are required to take one fine arts credit while in high school.  If you already are in band or orchestra, it makes sense to continue with music in ninth grade.  It is very difficult to put your instrument down for a year and pick it back up again in 10th or 11th grade (think about it - a junior playing at a freshmen level!) - so all fine arts teachers in all area high schools will strongly encourage students to continue with their middle school fine arts courses in ninth grade.

Viera High School is anticipated to continue the mandatory 7-period day policy in the 2009-2010 school year.  The VHS instrumental music department will offer three band classes, two orchestra classes, two jazz band classes, an Advanced Placement Music Theory class, and a chamber winds class.  Two of the band classes are anticipated to have 65 students each, with the third offering band to a class size of about 40.  The jazz bands are by audition only and will be capped at 22 students each.  The jazz band classes are only open to students who are already in another concert band or orchestra class.  The orchestra is expected to have 60 students divided between the two classes.  Only string students may take orchestra.

 

The chamber winds class will be available to wind players and percussionists who wish to study advanced chamber literature and perform with the symphony orchestra.  Students in this class must be enrolled in another band class and must audition for a spot.

 

The Advanced Placement music theory course is open to seniors who already have a strong background in music reading and some sort of instrumental or choral music experience.  The course involves a rigorous curriculum in the area of music theory, ear training, and sight-singing.  Only students involved in one of VHS music programs may take the course, which will be capped at around 15 students.

 

All students must audition for placement within the program.  Auditions will take place during the month of May at all VHS feeder schools.  Students not in a VHS feeder school (private schools)  should contact the VHS directors to schedule an audition.  The audition is a 'meet and greet' time for the director and incoming student and should not be an intimidating experience.  Students will be asked to play as many major scales as possible (two octaves and memorized where applicable), perform any solo or passage from their current band/orchestra music, and sight-read a short piece of music.  Everyone in a middle school feeder program 'makes' an ensemble!   Students interested in jazz band should inform the director at the audition.  Additional sight-reading material may be required for jazz band. 

All incoming instrumental students should make plans to attend the Instrumental Music Registration day scheduled for May 30th from 8am - 5pm in the Viera High School Band Room.  Parents and student(s) only need to come for one hour during the time block.  More information on registration day will be posted to this site later this year.

The three concert bands will come together after-school in the fall to form the 175 member Marching Band.  Marching Band is mandatory for all band students.  This policy is standard at most high schools in the county, although each school treats marching band differently.  Marching Band only lasts through the last week of October!

As the largest student organization at VHS, the marching band is the best place for newcomers to VHS to make new friends.  The marching band curriculum embraces the social nature of the activity to give students a chance to perform challenging literature while having a great time.

The Marching Band begins rehearsals at the annual Band Camp about a week before school starts.  The Band Camp is mandatory for all band students, so make plans to attend!  Regular rehearsals take place once school starts on Tuesday's and Thursday's after-school at VHS.  The Marching Band will perform at all home football games and most away games - most or all of which take place on Friday evenings.  The band camp dates will be posted to this site later in the year.

 

All ninth graders are required to take the semester long career-research and planning course, paired with the semester long critical thinking course.  All band and orchestra students are given the opportunity to take the career course as a 0-period (7:30am-8:25am).  This option will free your schedule and allow you to take all core classes, music, and 2 additional electives!  This is especially important for students in two music classes (i.e. band and jazz band) or students who need remedial courses in math or English.  The course is only one semester long and you can choose either the spring or fall semester.  The critical thinking course is not required!

 

FINE ARTS ACADEMY INFORMATION

Some county schools offer a Fine Arts Academy intended to give students a more specialized music education.  Viera High School offers all courses that are included in the Fine Arts Academies.  Viera HS also offers the very important, mandatory career planning course in a special band/orchestra only setting in a 0-period time slot.  Students enrolled in the Fine Arts Academy at other schools often find themselves with severe scheduling conflicts with Honors and Advanced Placement Courses.  Your hometown, legally zoned school offers all of those classes without boxing you into unique scheduling conflicts that are created by the academy!  Additionally, you can take as many or as few courses as you want, at your own pace, without the constraints of the academy scheduling system.  Finally, the career planning course can be taken by band/orchestra students either during the regular school day, or in a special 0-period time slot taught by one of the VHS Music Directors.  This allows instrumental music students to take more music classes than in an academy, or take other courses offered by the school in addition to their music studies.  You will receive the same or better opportunities at Viera HS, and because the Fine Arts Academies do not provide transportation, you can ride to and from VHS on the school bus. 

The Directors will be more than happy to sit down with any student who is zoned for VHS who would like to discuss their options within the Viera HS Instrumental Music Program.  The directors will assist the student and parents with creating a four-year instrumental music schedule for students interested in advancing in music, enriching their lives with music, or pursuing a career in music.

 

 

MARCHING BAND FAQ

When is Marching Band Camp?

  • Typically one-two weeks before school starts - the schedule will be released before the holidays.

Who must attend Band Camp?

  • Band Camp is mandatory for all band students

Where do students eat on the full day rehearsals?

  • Students may bring their own lunch to band camp and eat in the outdoor cafeteria.  Students may leave campus with a form signed by their parents.  Forms will be available at band registration day on May 30th.

When does Marching Band rehearse?

  • Tuesdays & Thursdays 3:30 - 6:00pm.

When does Marching Band perform?

  • Friday night football games.  Please do not plan weekend trips in September & October.  Marching Band also performs at the annual FBA Marching Music Performance Assessment - tentatively scheduled for Saturday October 24th, 2009.

Who performs in Marching Band?

  • Mandatory for all band students as part of the Brevard County Schools Secondary Band curriculum.

When does Marching Band end?

  • Regular rehearsals will end with the performance at the FBA Marching Music Performance Assessment - tentatively schedule on October 24th, 2009.   Football games may continue after this time, but the band does not usually rehearse as much.

Is Marching Band graded?

  • Yes - Marching Band is part of the students regular classroom grade in band.

Does the Marching Band take any trips?

  • YES - besides the away football games (where most of the fun is!) - the Marching Band travels to Islands of Adventure each year BEFORE school starts for a post-band camp celebration.  Additionally, the band and orchestra travel to other performances throughout the year.

Are there auditions for Marching Band?

  • Since all band students are in marching band, there are no auditions to 'make' marching band.  However, some sections will audition for placement within the band.  Also, all students will audition for placement within the concert band classes.  These auditions will take place while students are in middle school before school lets out for the summer.  Keep an eye on this website for exact audition dates at your school.  New students to VHS not from a VHS feeder should contact the directors to schedule an audition.

Can I play in sports and still be in Band?

  • YES.  NONE of the fall sports, with the exception of VARSITY football, have games on Friday nights.  Therefore, students in fall sports are still required to be in marching band.  It is standard procedure to work out a special rehearsal schedule with fall sports students.  Varsity football players should speak with the director to work out a specific schedule.

Does the band have carpools set-up?

  • YES - there will be a sign-up for carpools at band registration day on May 30th.  These carpools will operate during band camp and during the marching band rehearsal season.

Are there fees associated with Marching Band?

  • Yes - each year, all band students must purchase a band shirt and pay a uniform dry-cleaning fee.   New students will have to purchase a black tuxedo shirt, marching shoes and gloves in addition to other fees.  Payment plans are available as no student will ever be excluded from a mandatory activity for monetary reasons.  Optional fees include extra gloves and the Islands of Adventure trip at the end of band camp.  The fees are very low compared to other schools and will be announced later in the year.

 

 

 

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