Wapsie Valley BandsThe Wapsie Valley 5-12 Band Program is a developing program focused on the well-rounded music education of all students. Through the program, we hope to show students how to succeed through hard work, passion for music, and teamwork with their fellow band members. Membership is open to all 5-12 band students who currently play a band instrument. Students participating in the program receive regular individual lessons, group instruction, and various "extra" opportunities such as honor bands, music tours, and more. Beginning Band The Wapsie Beginning Band Program begins with 5th and 6th grade at Fairbank Elementary and Readlyn Elementary. Students are interviewed for an instrument via pitch-matching, pitch-identification, and rhythm-identification tests, as well as through a "try-out" on each instrument. After instrument selection is finished, 5th grade students begin their individual lessons the summer before their fifth grade year. When the school year begins, 5th and 6th grade students receive one lesson per 6-day cycle, as well as group band instruction for 30 minutes, twice per 6-day cycle. The Beginning Bands perform on the Winter concert with the rest of the K-6 music students, as well as on the Spring "All-Wapsie" band concert with the entire band program. Junior High Concert Band The Junior High School Band at Wapsie Valley consists of students in 7th and 8th grade and rehearses 2-3 times per week. Students in the Junior High Band receive one individual lesson every two weeks. This ensemble performs at the Fall, Winter, Pops, and Spring Concerts. Students are invited to participate in all High School Ensembles, including Pep Band, Marching Band, and Jazz Band. Students will also be able to participate in the CLS Arts Festival, as well as to attend our yearly Adventureland Music Festival trip. Honor band experiences are also offered to deserving students. High School Concert Band The High School Concert Band consists of students in grades 9-12. This ensemble begins practice after Marching Band season is completed, and performs at the Winter, Pops, and Spring Concerts. Students in the High School Band receive one individual lesson every two weeks. Students will also be able to participate in the Solo and Small Ensemble Festival, as well as in the State Large Group Festival. Honor band experiences are also offered to deserving students. Wapsie High School Band students are also granted the opportunity to travel on a music tour every two years with the High School Choir. In 2012, we traveled to New York City, and in 2014, we traveled to Chicago. Warrior Marching Band The Warrior Marching Band is required for students in grades 9-12, though 7th and 8th graders are open to volunteer to join the ensemble. The Marching Band performs at every home football game during pregame and halftime, providing entertainment for the crowd and cheering on our team. This year, we will work to project our sound, increase our musicality, and- after a long hiatus- begin to put forms onto the field again! Warrior Pep Band The Warrior Pep Band is required for band students in grades 9-12, though 7th and 8th graders are open to volunteer to join the ensemble. The Pep Band performs at every home double-header basketball game. Jazz Bands Auditions/Enrollment for the Jazz Band is offered in Mid-to-late October. Students are invited to play either their primary instrument or learn a new instrument for this band. The band hopes to perform at the NEIBA Jazz Festival as well as the Tallcorn Jazz Festival this year. The Jazz Band rehearses from 7:00-7:45 AM on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Jr. High/High School Lessons Individual lessons are required for all Junior High and High School Band students. Students are required to have at least 4 lessons per quarter, which cover ensemble literature as well as individual development on their instrument. |
Wapsie Valley ChoirsAt Wapsie Valley, you cab find an enjoyable, strong, pride-filled and educational choir program. The 7-12 developing program is focused on the well-rounded music education of all students. Through the program, we hope to show students how to succeed through hard work, passion for music, and teamwork with their fellow choir members. Any 7-12 student at Wapsie Valley can be a member of the choir. Students participating in the program receive regular individual lessons, group instruction, and various "extra" opportunities such as honor choirs, music tours or trips, and more. Junior High Concert Choir The Junior High School Choir at Wapsie Valley consists of students in 7th and 8th grade and rehearses 2-3 times per week. Students in the Junior High Choir receive one individual or group lesson every two weeks. This ensemble performs at the Fall, Winter, Pops and Spring Concerts. The students also offer their singing talents at community festivals such as Readlyn's "The Grump Who Stole Christmas Days" and the Fairbank Assisted Living Center's annual Christmas party. These students will also have the opportunity to perform at the CLS Arts Festival and to attend the yearly trip to Chanhassen Dinner Theater in the Twin Cities. Honor choir experiences are also offered to deserving students. High School Concert Choir The High School Concert Choir consists of students in grades 9-12. This ensemble rehearses daily and performs at the Fall, Winter, Pops, and Spring Concerts. The choir also prepares a musical production in the fall. Students in the choir will receive one individual lesson every two weeks. Students will also be able to participate in the IHSMA Solo and Small Ensemble Festival, as well as in the State Large Group Festival. Honor choir experiences are also offered to deserving students. The students also offer their singing talents at community festivals such as Readlyn's "The Grump Who Stole Christmas Days" and the Fairbank Assisted Living Center's annual Christmas party. Wapsie Valley High School Choir & Band students are also granted the opportunity to travel on a music tour every two years. In 2012, we traveled to New York City, and in 2014, we traveled to Chicago. Warrior Chorale The Warrior Chorale is a select, by-audition choir that features some of our most talented and dedicated high school musicians. This choir is a small group that rehearses during the morning twice per week, and performs many varieties of challenging repertoire. Singers are selected through a short audition process based on their musicianship, vocal technique, sight-singing ability, solfege knowledge, confidence, and overall work ethic and attitude. WapsieTones WapsieTones is a group of junior high students who want to sing in a small group. This group will sing at several school functions this year, and will also perform for a variety of community functions. Students who would like to be a part of WapsieTones do not need to audition. As long as students maintain required attendance at rehearsals and work positively within the ensemble, they are welcome to be part of the group. The belief of this group is that every student at the middle school level should have an opportunity to explore their talents in order to discover their aptitude in a certain area. Star-Spangled Banner Singers Any singer from 7-12 grade can be a part of the Start-Spangled Banner Singers. These singers prepare versions of our national anthem to sing at sporting events. The banner can be sung as a solo, duet, trio, quartet, small group or large group with men, women, or both men and women. They receive extra lettering points in music for each prepared performance. Jr. High/High School Lessons Individual and group lessons are required for all Junior High and High School Choir students. Students are required to have at least 4 lessons per quarter, which cover individual development of their vocal instrument. Healthy vocal techniques are then applied to the ensemble literature and practiced daily in class. |