WHS Music Program
Escape from Pirates cove, performed by the Weymouth High School Wildcat Winter Percussion Ensemble at NESBA (New England Scholastic Band Association) in Mansfield 3/23/13
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdVJFCVs_Ls&feature=youtu.be
Wildcat Band
Band is more than a series of performances developed through an ongoing rehearsal schedule. It may appear that we are simply completing one event and immediately starting to prepare for the next. Although we do maintain a busy schedule, there is a higher learning taking place that will benefit our students in all of life- discipline. We all know young people possess unlimited potential for learning, achievement, and personal success. Every individual's self worth is based on turning potential into accomplishment and that requires a healthy measure of discipline. “Band is a metaphor of life because it is a training ground for developing a solid pattern of personal discipline habits. Band is a collection of artistic values clearly defined and ultimately achieved. This process unlocks the power of commitment, puts human will in action, develops a positive attitude, controls negative thinking, encourages success and deters failure." The study of music is a link between inspiration and value achievements; it is the bridge between thought and accomplishment, between ideas and results. This explains the impressive correlation between music study and academic achievement. Our band members are clearly experiencing the value of discipline driven by inspiration, enticed by desire, tempered for reason, and guided by intelligence. Band is grooming them for successful living.
Band is so much more than performance preparation. It reinforces the importance of self discipline as the fundamental of healthy self esteem, group pride, personal satisfaction, and aesthetic joy. Being in band teaches kids to master the circumstances of life by putting ambition and skill into action. Thank you for your continued encouragement and support. Thank you for understanding that music education is a groundwork strategy for the development of more capable minds. Thank you for demonstrating the value of persistence and discipline as we meet the challenges associated with our program's growth. Thank you for being an active parent in our band.
WHS Percussion Ensemble
The WHS Percussion Ensemble is in it’s eighth year and has participated in NESBA competition for six years. It is a combined ensemble of percussion, visual, dancing, and colorguard performing in thematic settings with the use of elaborate props and visual antics. Since entering the NESBA circuit, The Ensemble has successfully won a total of twelve gold medals and ten gold medals. They placed SECOND out of FIVE at Last years NESBA WINTER FINALS held at Dartmouth High School . Another great accomplishment for the Weymouth High School World Beat Ensemble was performing with Boston Pops Percussionist, Neil Grover at the WHS Percussion Extravaganza. Mr. Grover was an inspiration to our students as he played and conducted the Weymouth High Students!
Students interested in joining the ensemble should contact:
Mr. Duff
c/o WHS
One Wildcat Way
South Weymouth, MA 02190
781-337-7500 x24740
World Beat Ensemble
The World Beat Ensemble has been in existence for four years and has participated in NESBA competition for three years. It is a combined ensemble of both concert and marching percussion, visual dancing and color guard performed in thematic settings with the use of elaborate props and visual antics. Since entering the NESBA circuit, the World Beat Ensemble has had a very successful career winning a total of eight silver medals and four gold medals. Two of the gold medals were awarded in two consecutive years at the NESBA finals which took place at Salem High School.
WHS Color Guard
The Weymouth High School Color Guard has been a crucial part of the Wildcat Marching Band. With the use of flag, rifle, saber, and dance, the color guard adds the visual focus to accompany the talents provided by the band members. The experienced staff ensures that the utmost care is provided to the individuals performing, as well as the program as a whole. The guard program is essential to the success of the marching band. The color guard competes in the New England Scholastic Band Association along with the Marching Band, and has done so for numerous years. The guard aided in the success of the 2006 program, helping to bring the first ever Championship, Divisional 1st place victory to Weymouth.
Various skills will be taught to those individuals interested in joining the program. Along with skill on equipment and the use of body, the members learn life long lessons that will be essential in life. Pride, commitment, determination, self-esteem, responsibility, strength, leadership, success, and friendship are only few of many, of the qualities learned from the program. It is an excellent activity to get involved in. Outside of high school, color guard may open the door to numerous activities and possibilities.
WHS Winterguard
The Weymouth High School Winterguard has been in operation since the winter of 2004. Like regular color guard, the members of the program learn to execute skills on equipment as well as with the body. However, there is no marching band on the performance floor with the winterguard. The group presents a choreographed show to a pre-recorded piece of music. The possibilities for the style of music choice and show theme are endless. The winterguard also competes in the NESBA program, and has a great deal of success as well. Typically, members of the winterguard also tend to participate in the fall guard, allowing themselves variety and emphasis on technique.
WHS Concert Band: Course Expectations
- Prepare music as assigned
- Follow the weekly or bi weekly rehearsal plan.
- Minimum 30 minutes of nightly practice**
- Effort toward progressing musically
- Effort toward improving the productivity of the rehearsal
- Positive attitude- “I will try.”
- What we are doing is important. It is not-“ just band.”
- Develop Time management skills
** It is understood that some nights 30 minutes of practice might not be possible due to time restrictions. However, this is a minimum to strive for-do your best!
**Quiet fingering practice, counting rhythms, breathing exercises can be considered reasonable substitutes if volume restrictions are there on a given day/night.
Music Curriculum objectives
- Singing
- Playing
- Improvising
- Creating
- Listening
- Critiquing
- Interdisciplinary connections
Any support from home is greatly appreciated. Parents are the student’s best audience. Ask them about what they are learning in music over dinner and encourage them to play for you regularly. Students should also be researching the background of the music, and composers we are studying in class. The internet can provide a great support here.
Related articles and web sites:
www.menc.org
www.musictheory.net downloadable music tutorials
I believe in choosing quality music which students will benefit from throughout their lives. Time management is crucial for students in the music program. WHS Students are balancing their academics, sports, sometimes a job, other clubs and activities, as well as their musical development. We understand that students choose to learn the instrument for a variety of reasons. Some really want to be able to play. Some take it for more social reasons. Some take it to boost their grade point average. Some take it as a “release.” This is the constant issue or dilemma and not being an MCAS subject, as we are often treated differently in the priority scheme. But let’s not add our own limitations to the program by looking for a reason not to practice or participate either. Please remember that in addition to the more concrete rewards of developing a skill and learning the language of music, Band should be considered a priority which is very important to their development as a person. Our WHS Band students have gone on to the best colleges and are immediately accepted when the college learns that they have been diligent in their study of music.