FRESHMEN BAND – Grade 9 This course is open to any student at Century High School but is specifically aimed at incoming freshmen. It is designed to help students develop the skills necessary for high school band. Special emphasis is placed on scales, technique, intonation, and methods as well as literature graded 2-3.5. The literature is designed to be lighter in nature than that studied in Prep Band, Concert Band, or Wind Ensemble. Performances for this band include CONCERTS, PARADES, PEP BAND EVENTS, AND FESTIVALS. Prior instrumental experience is STRONGLY encouraged, but not required.
The concert attire for this ensemble is the concert style band uniform. This includes the jacket, ruffle, blue pants, long black dress socks, and Drillmasters with buckles.
PREP BAND – Grade 10, 11, 12 This course is open to any student at Century High School and includes musicians who are earlier in their musical development. Special emphasis is placed on scales, technique, intonation, and methods as well as literature graded 2.5-4. Performances for this band include CONCERTS, PARADES, PEP BAND EVENTS, AND FESTIVALS. Members of the Prep Band have the opportunity to participate in band tours, which occur on an alternating basis. Prior instrumental experience is required to participate as a member of Prep Band.
The concert attire for this ensemble is the concert style band uniform. This includes the jacket, ruffle, blue pants, long black dress socks, and Drillmasters with buckles.
CONCERT BAND – Grade 10, 11, 12 This course is designed to help students develop the skills necessary to progress to Wind Ensemble. Special emphasis is placed on scales, technique, intonation, and methods as well as literature graded 3-4. Performances for this band include CONCERTS, PARADES, PEP BAND EVENTS, AND FESTIVALS. Members of the Concert Band have the opportunity to participate in band tours, which occur on an alternating basis. It is typical that a student who shows interest and works hard to improve his or her musical skills will move from Concert Band to Wind Ensemble during his or her high school career. Prior instrumental experience is required to participate as a member of Concert Band.
The concert attire for this ensemble is the concert style band uniform. This includes the jacket, ruffle, blue pants, long black dress socks, and Drillmasters with buckles.
WIND ENSEMBLE – Grade 9, 10, 11, 12 This course is designed for students that have reached a high level of proficiency on their instrument. Special emphasis is placed on scales, advanced technique, intonation, and methods as well as challenging literature graded 4-6. All members of the Wind Ensemble are required to audition for the North Dakota All State Music Festival as part of their course requirements. Performances for this band include CONCERTS, PARADES, PEP BAND EVENTS, FESTIVALS, AND SPECIAL COMMUNITY EVENTS. Members of the Wind Ensemble have the opportunity to participate in band tours, which occur on an alternating basis. Prior instrumental experience is required to participate as a member of Wind Ensemble and placement in the group is by audition only.
The concert attire for this ensemble is the concert style band uniform. This includes the jacket, ruffle, blue pants, long black dress socks, and Drillmasters with buckles.
JAZZ ENSEMBLE #2 – 9, 10, 11, 12 Jazz Ensemble #2 is designed for the developing jazz student and is open to anyone involved in the band program. Good, quality jazz music will be pursued. Special emphasis will be placed on correct jazz articulation, style, and improvisation. This group performs four times a year at concerts and various jazz festivals. Participation in another concert instrumental ensemble (band or orchestra) is required to participate as a member of Jazz Ensemble #2.
Concert attire for this ensemble is provided by the student and must be ALL BLACK. For gentlemen this means black dress pants, a collared black dress shirt, long black dress socks, and black dress shoes. All gentlemen must also wear an appropriate neck tie of their choosing. Ladies may wear a black dress with a skirt that goes at or below the knee or a black shirt/pant combination. If socks are worn, they must be long dress socks. (Black jeans, yoga pants, athletic pants, flip flops, sandals, and sneakers are not acceptable concert attire.)
JAZZ ENSEMBLE #1 – Grade 9, 10, 11, 12 Jazz Ensemble #1 meets on a daily basis and is for students that have reached a high level of proficiency on their instrument. Advanced jazz literature that is scored for saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and rhythm section, will be pursued. Special emphasis will be placed on correct jazz articulation, style, and improvisation. This group performs several times a year at concerts and various jazz festivals. Participation in another concert instrumental ensemble (band or orchestra) and prior instrumental experience is required to participate as a member of Jazz Ensemble #1. Placement in the group is by audition only.
The concert attire for this ensemble is provided by the student and must be ALL BLACK. For gentlemen this means black dress pants, a collared black dress shirt, long black dress socks, and black dress shoes. All gentlemen must also wear an appropriate neck tie of their choosing. Ladies may wear a black dress with a skirt that goes at or below the knee or a black shirt/pant combination. If socks are worn, they must be long dress socks. (Black jeans, yoga pants, athletic pants, flip flops, sandals, and sneakers are not acceptable concert attire.)