The Lakeland High School Band is made up
of several ensembles that collectively form the band program as a whole.The Florida School Music Association forbids any
student with a cumulative GPA below 2.0 from
performing in any type of Music Performance Assessment, including marching, concert, and
solo & ensemble festivals.All students
are therefore expected to successfully maintain this minimum GPA in order to be productive
members of the band program.
Dreadnaught Marching Band
All members of the Lakeland band are
also members of the Dreadnaught Marching Band.This
group meets after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the fall semester from 6:00 to
8:30 PM every week.Additional rehearsals may
possibly be scheduled as needed, with two weeks advance notice.Performance requirements include all parades, pep
rallies, football games, and marching festivals.The
only individuals excused from participation in the marching band are those who are active
participants in varsity football, or varsity cheerleading.All other members are expected to participate in all aspects of the marching
program.
Wind Symphony
The Wind Symphony is the most advanced
performing ensemble in the band program, and is designed for any student who can musically
qualify for membership.This ensemble focuses
on advanced qualities of performance musicianship, and beginning concepts of music theory.After school rehearsals, sectionals, and
performances are mandatory.Frequent evening
sectionals and rehearsals will be scheduled to prepare for festival performances after
marching season is over.
Symphonic Band
The Symphonic Band is an intermediate
performing ensemble, designed for any student who can musically qualify for membership.This ensemble focuses on building musical
repertoire, and enhancement of musical performance skills.After school rehearsals and performances are mandatory.
Chamber Winds
The Chamber Winds is the newest
performing ensemble at Lakeland High School, and will focus on traditional and
contemporary wind literature requiring no more than 15-20 players at a time.Participation in this group will be
extra-curricular, and will be by audition only.Members
of this group are expected to be able to perform at the highest level of individual
musicianship, and extensive practice outside of rehearsal will be required.
Jazz Band
The Jazz Band is an extracurricular
performing ensemble, designed for any student who can musically qualify for membership.This ensemble will focus on expanding
students’ exposure to jazz literature, and will also address jazz theory and
improvisational skills.After school
rehearsals and performances are mandatory.Auditions
will be held early in the fall semester for interested students.
Percussion Ensemble
The Percussion Ensemble is a curricular
extension of the Percussion Class designed for any student who can musically qualify for
membership.This ensemble will focus on
developing fundamental techniques and skills necessary to play a variety of percussion
instruments in an ensemble setting.This
ensemble will focus on both marching and concert aspects of percussion performance.After school rehearsal and performances are
mandatory.
Auxiliaries – Color Guard & Majorettes
The
auxiliary units perform in the fall semester with the Dreadnaught Marching Band.Both units are strictly extra-curricular, and do
not require enrollment in a band class.All
regulations and requirements of membership in the band program will otherwise apply to all
members of the color guard and the majorettes.Members
of these units are directly responsible to their sponsor for all activities, including
rehearsals, performances, and extra activities such as fundraisers.Auxiliary rehearsals and contests in the spring
are at the discretion and arrangement of the sponsor for each unit.
