Curricular Bands
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Concert Winds
The Concert Winds consist of all freshmen band students. During the year students continue to build their technique and musicianship. The curricular focus of the freshmen lessons is the ability to play music in all 12 major keys, play music in complex rhythms, and increase their range in all directions. The Concert Winds also provides the music for the GHS Graduation.
Jazz Ensemble
Jazz Ensemble meets during 9th Hour during the second semester. It performs at the April Spring Band Concert.
The class uses computer technology to learn the theory behind music. As part of the curriculum, students will compose various music compositions with computer technology. This class is highly recommended for anyone who may be thinking of majoring or minoring in music at the college level. The 2011 MTCC Class consists of 20 students. This is the largest class we have had for Music Theory in over a decade.
See Mr. Barnes for more information regarding this class.
Symphonic Band
Consisting of students in grades 10 through 12, the Symphonic Band performs music of medium to advanced high school caliber.
During the first semester, the Symphonic Band collaborates with the Concert Winds for the Almost Anything Goes Show (Jersey Boys & Blues Brothers Revue) and performs independently for the Winter concert on January 11th. Music will include classical classics including 1812 Overture, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Mars from the Planets and Carmen.
Beginning in the 2nd semester, the Symphonic Band will rehearse and perform a variety of challenging music. The music will include Variations on a Korean Folk Song (John Barnes Chance), American Barndance (Richard Saucedo), ‘Tis A Gift (Ann McGinty), Trail of Tears (James Barnes) and many others.
The Symphonic Band will perform at the Composer-in-Residence Concert (featuring internationally-known composer James Barnes) on March 26th and at the Spring Band Concert on May 17th.
2011 Wall Of Sound
This year’s Wall theme is “Piano Man: The Music of Billy Joel” and features many of Billy Joel’s greatest hits.
As always, our philosophy is to perform a quality and entertaining show. Performances include Band Day, competitions at West De Pere and Fort Atkinson, our own invitational “Marching Band Madness” and the State Marching Band Championships at UW-Whitewater.
Following the marching season (and the Almost Anything Goes Shows in November), the Wall of split into two groups- a freshman group (directed by Mr. Bell) and a 10-12 Concert Ensemble (diected by Mr. Barnes.
Thank you to the Warhawk Band Boosters for their financial support and volunteer assistance throughout the year. Without the WBB, the Wall could not exist.
Wind Symphony
The GHS Wind Symphony consists of 50-55 of the finest instrumentalists at Germantown High School. Membership into this organization is through appointment by the GHS Band Staff in the spring of the previous year (and is based on each student’s lesson preparation, musical aptitude, class involvement, leadership and behavior within the class setting).
This year’s Wind Symphony begins rehearsals during the second semester (January 2012). The Wind Symphony will perform at the Composer-in-Residence Concert (featuring internationally-known composer James Barnes) on March 26th, at the Spring Band Concert on May 17th and at a special international exchange concert with the Music School Ensemble from Ismaning, Germany.
Repertoire for this year’s Wind Symphony will include James Barnes’ Sorcery Suite, Jack Stamp’s Bandancing, Shostakovitch’s Festive Overture and Del Borgo’s Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night.