Kamiakin High School

Bands and Orchestra

Department Philosophy

Kamiakin High School's band and orchestra program provides a balanced instrumental music performance experience for all woodwind, brass, percussion and orchestral string players. All of our ensembles have a strong tradition of excellence.

Our curricular programs are structured to prepare students to achieve the state and national standards in fine arts-music.

Participation allows students to develop both individual and group skills. Students will have opportunities to expand their understanding of and appreciation for the musical arts. As they develop their musical skills, the students' ability to express individuality, demonstrate creativity, problem solve, develop an aesthetic sense of the world around, make goal-oriented decisions and see the results of a positive work ethic is greatly enhanced.

Our excellent co-curricular programs provide extended learning, performance and travel opportunities. However, co-curricular ensemble participation should not replace participation in one of the appropriate curricular ensembles.

Curricular Programs Offered

Symphonic Band (9th-12th grades)
String Ensemble (9th-12th grades)
Wind Ensemble (10th-12th grades)
Small Ensembles and Solos (9th-12th grades)

Co-Curricular Programs Offered

Jazz Ensemble (all grades)
Marching Band (all grades)
Symphony Orchestra (all grades by invitation)

SYMPHONIC BAND

Enrollment: All wind and percussion performers (9th-12th grade) are encouraged to participate regardless of experience.

Description: Performance, development of ensemble and Individual performance skills, and standard grade II-IV band literature.

Class Meets: Daily with some after-school/class rehearsals required.

Performances: Four concerts, four to five pep band events and one to two local festivals. Participation in marching band is highly encouraged.

STRING ENSEMBLE

Enrollment: Open to all orchestral stringed instrument performers (violin, viola, cello, bass, harp)

Description: Performance, development of string performance skills, and string orchestra literature from multiple time periods.

Class Meets: Daily with some after-school/class rehearsals, which include weekly sectionals and several Tuesday evening rehearsals at 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. with our string specialist.

Performances: Four concerts, two to three festivals and additional school performances.

WIND ENSEMBLE

Enrollment: Wind and percussion musicians by audition and/or director approval (10th-12th grade)

Description: Performance, development of advanced ensemble and individual performance skills, Grade III-V Band literature from standard repertoire, new compositions.

Class Meets: Daily with after-school/class rehearsals required.

Performances: Four to five concerts, two to three festivals, four to five pep band events and additional school performances.

SOLO & ENSEMBLE

Enrollment: All students enrolled in curricular ensembles will participate in a small ensemble or solo performance experience.

Description: Small group and individual performance skill development, music literature for small group and/or solo performance.

Rehearsals: Students will meet together in 30-45 minute rehearsalsonce a week from November through February. The exact day and time will be determined by group/individual and director.

Performances: District Solo and Ensemble Festival (February), class performance, family performance, and/or concert appearance.
JAZZ BAND

Enrollment: Open to wind, percussion, piano and string players by permission of director. Incoming ninth-graders are welcome to participate. Concurrent enrollment in the appropriate curricular band or orchestra class is expected.

Description: Performance-oriented instruction, development of jazz styles from multiple periods, focus on improvisation.

Class Meets: Daily at 6:45 a.m. (“0” hour). Some after-school/class rehearsals are required.

Performances: Two concerts, one jazz/dinner performance, two to three trips/festivals, additional school performances possible.

MARCHING BAND (.5 Arts Credit during Fall/Winter Semester)

Enrollment: Open to all musicians and color guard/dance performers. Concurrrent enrollment in the appropriate band or orchestra class is highly encouraged.

Description: Performance of high quality half-time shows and in-stands performances at all varsity home football games.

Class Meets: Rehearsals begin in early August for band camps, then 5:30 to 8:45 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and some Saturdays.

Performances: Four to five home football games, including post-season, and three festival/competitions. Season goes from August through early November.

SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (.5 Arts Credit during Winter/Spring Semester)

Enrollment: Wind, percussion, piano, harp (by permission of director) and all string players. Concurrent enrollment in String Ensemble/Wind Ensemble is required.

Description: Performance of standard full symphony orchestra literature.

Class Meets: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday evenings from early November through June.

Performances: Three to four concerts, two trips/festivals, additional school performances.
How to access parent/student information in CHARMS

Log on to Charms office, and click the ENTER/LOG IN link at upper right.

Locate the PARENT/STUDENT/MEMBERS LOGIN section of the web page.

Login to your child’s program account using the following School Code: KaHSIM

This will bring up the main parent page. This will allow you to look at the public calendar for your organization, event list, handouts and other files.

Clicking on an event on the calendar brings up the details for that event, such as times, attendance requirements, volunteer opportunities and other event details. Note that if a calendar event is specifically assigned to your child, it may NOT show up on this calendar – check the student calendar after entering the student’s ID number (see below).

When you enter your child’s ID number (the KSD student ID number) as a STUDENT AREA PASSWORD, another more detailed screen appears with even more options to view your student’s uniform assignments, music assignments, financial records, forms and inventory. Once you have first entered this ID number, you may create your own unique password by clicking on the lock (change password) icon. If you have problems, please contact Mr. Russell to verify the KSD student ID number.

One area in which you can help the director maintain his/her records: UPDATE PERSONAL INFORMATION – you may help make changes to your child’s student information page (such as updating phone numbers and email addresses if they change) to help the teacher communicate with you more effectively. Click the PERSONAL INFO button.

You will also see links to enter PRACTICE LOGS, NOTEFLIGHT notation software and the RECORDING STUDIO.

Most importantly, the parent page assists both you and the teacher to communicate with each other. Stay up to date on what’s going on with your student!