duPont Manual High – Wind Ensemble 1, 2, 3, 4

Mar 2026 · 2nd Semester

These courses provide the necessary program, climate, and structure to motivate the advanced wind and percussion student to achieve according to their unique learning patterns and to encourage maximum progress for the individual. This course emphasizes the reading and performance of high level and sophisticated band literature comparable to what is studied at the university level. Compared with Symphonic Band, this course differs in the following ways: (1) greater emphasis on scale development (2) greater responsibility of the individual performer to perfect their part (3) more difficult literature technically, intellectually, musically, or a combination of the above (4) the formation of small chamber ensembles in the form of quartets and quintets which rehearse on a regular basis (5) active participation in the pit orchestra for musicals and ballets (6) more stringent monitoring of solo and small ensemble repertoire development (7) performance in a public senior recital (8) pool of performers from which to perform works with unusual instrumentation different from the regular band instrumentation. The student will perform in at least four school concerts and two regional and national music festivals during the year; and pull for full orchestra instrumentation as needed and assigned.