2025-2026 Band Information

WELCOME TO THE PELHAM HIGH SCHOOL BAND PROGRAM

To our new members, the year 2025 rings in a significant milestone in your life as you begin preparing to transition to Pelham High School.

Our goal is to ease your transition and provide all the pertinent information you would need to continue your course of study in music and band. Simply put, there is nothing better than being part of the largest student organization at Pelham High School while continuing to enjoy musical performance on an individual and group level.

To our returning members, we hope that the information below will help guide you as you make decisions regarding the courses you will take while at PHS. We are excited to have you return to our band program as together we build something truly special and memorable!

The Pelham High School Band is a thriving program servicing 2 Concert Bands, Marching Band, Jazz Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Color Guard, Dance Team, Majorettes, and Chamber Music Ensembles. We are excited to welcome you into our family and hope the information provided will assist you as you begin preparing for the registration process.

Please do not hesitate to reach out should you have any questions throughout the registration, enrollment, and audition process.

Justin P. Ward, Director of Bands - jward@pelhamcityschools.org

PELHAM HIGH SCHOOL BAND COURSE / ENSEMBLE OFFERINGS

OVERVIEW

All Pelham High School Band members must be registered for either Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, or Percussion Ensemble (Percussionists Only).

All Pelham High School Band members participate in marching band except for students who are currently on the PHS Football team, Volleyball team, or Cheerleading Team(s).

All Pelham High School Band members will complete an audition in the Spring of 2025 to determine their concert ensemble / class placement (Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band). The audition will also dictate percussion instrument placement for marching band as well as wind players role in marching band as it relates to competition performances (performing member, alternate, etc.)

WIND ENSEMBLE

PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE

SYMPHONIC BAND

Considered the top concert and performing ensemble at Pelham High School. In order to be in this group, students must demonstrate the highest level of musical maturity, technical proficiency, and commitment to rehearsal and practice time. All members of the Wind Ensemble participate in Marching Band as well as perform 4-5 concerts a year, perform at Music Performance Assessment (MPA) and other prestigious featured performances such as the Alabama Music Educator's Conference, University Honor Bands, Music for All Concert Band Festival, etc.

SYMPHONIC BAND

PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE

SYMPHONIC BAND

The second concert ensemble at Pelham High School. All members of the Symphonic Band participate in Marching Band as well as perform 4-5 concerts a year and at Music Performance Assessment (MPA).

PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE

Percussion Ensemble is the class for all percussionists. All percussionists participate in Marching Band. Additionally, percussionists will be assigned to the Wind Ensemble or Symphonic Band and participate in 4-5 concerts a year, perform at Music Performance Assessment (MPA), and our annual Percussion Ensemble concert(s).

JAZZ ENSEMBLE

APPLIED BAND (HARMONIZING INSTRUMENTS)

This class is an optional, additional, band elective and is open to any Pelham High School Band member who is enrolled in either the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, or Percussion Ensemble course(s). The Jazz Ensemble learns about and performs music of varying styles and genres including: swing, blues, funk, latin, rock, etc. The Jazz Ensemble performs 2-3 concerts a year and also performs at local community events. Options also exist for students to learn a secondary instrument.

APPLIED BAND (HARMONIZING INSTRUMENTS)

This class is an optional, additional, band elective and is open to any Pelham High School Band member who is enrolled in either the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, or Percussion Ensemble course(s). In this class students will be given weekly private lessons on their instrument, time for independent practice and study, assistance and guidance with honor band, all-state, and collegiate band audition, etc. This class is for students who are highly committed to playing their instrument at a high level and improving quickly through a private lesson model.

PELHAM HIGH SCHOOL COURSE REGISTRATION

OVERVIEW

Students at Pelham High School get to select 4 core classes (English Math, Science, History) that are recommended by their core teachers . Additionally, they get to select 3 electives each school year. To participate in the PHS Band Program, one of the electives must by Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, or Percussion Ensemble (Percussionists Only). Students are strongly encourage to sign up for an additional band elective (Jazz Ensemble , Applied Band, etc.) if their schedule permits.

PE REQUIREMENT / WAIVER

Students who participate in 2 years of band at Pelham High School do NOT have to take PE while in high school. The requirements of PE are satisfied in Marching Band.

HEALTH / DRIVER'S ED / CAREER PREP

All students must take Health and Career Prep (B) to graduate. This requirement is now combined with Driver's Ed so that the student can participate in Driver's Ed and meet the graduation requirement in 1 class and NOT give up multiple electives to achieve this. It is recommended that students do this during their sophomore (10th grade) year.

CCRI REQUIREMENT

All students must earn a College & Career Readiness Indicator (CCRI) to graduate. This can be accomplished two ways. You can either take Intro to Hospitality & Tourism (1 class) to earn this credit or you will have to complete 3 classes of a career tech path. It is strongly encouraged that you complete the Hospitality & Tourism class during your freshman (9th Grade) or sophomore (10th Grade) years. Once again, this will free your schedule up for more electives (more band and fine arts classes!).

SAMPLE / SUGGESTED SCHEDULE (TO HAVE MORE ELECTIVES)

Please see below for a recommended schedule from our counselors to maximize the number of electives that you can possibly take. We hope that you will consider taking an additional band class or fine arts elective while at PHS!

HOW TO REGISTER FOR THE 2025 - 2026 PELHAM HIGH SCHOOL BAND

1. Course Selection Sheet:

Rising 9th Graders: Sign up for "Marching / Concert Band"

Rising 10th - 12th Graders (Woodwinds/Brass):

Sign up for either "Symphonic/Concert Band" or Wind/Concert Ensemble" We will place you in the appropriate class after placement auditions are complete.

Rising 10th - 12 Graders (Percussion): Sign up for "Percussion"

***Sign up for any ADDITIONAL band electives as desired (I.e. Jazz Band/Ensemble and/or Applied Band [Listed as Harmonizing Instruments])

2. Band Registration Form (Google Form):

Complete the appropriate Google Form:

(click the appropriate link below)

Rising 9th Graders Google Form

Rising 10th-12th Graders Google Form

3. Information Meetings for Parents & Students:

-January 28: 6:30 PM (PHS Band Room)

-January 30: 7:30 PM (PHS Band Room)

These meetings are designed for new and returning parents (and students) and will provide information about the 2025-2026 school year as it relates to the PHS Band Program, answer questions that you might have, and assist with the registration process. We encourage you to attend!

4. Complete the Placement Audition

All current PPMS & PHS Band Members (Grades 8-11, including percussionists) will complete a musical audition to determine whether they will be placed in the Wind Ensemble or Symphonic Band (classes). The audition will also be utilized to determine each student's role in the PHS Marching Band for the upcoming year.

More information will be released at a later date. The auditions will take place in late March/early April 2025.

5. Attend the 2025-2026 KickOff Meeting (Required for Parents & Students)

All members of the 2025 - 2026 Band Pelham High School Band Program are required to attend the Kickoff Meeting on April 21, 2025 (Times TBD) in the PHS Auditorium

2025-2026 Band Information

WELCOME TO THE PELHAM HIGH SCHOOL BAND PROGRAM

PELHAM HIGH SCHOOL BAND COURSE / ENSEMBLE OFFERINGS

OVERVIEW

WIND ENSEMBLE

PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE

SYMPHONIC BAND

SYMPHONIC BAND

PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE

SYMPHONIC BAND

PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE

PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE

PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE

JAZZ ENSEMBLE

APPLIED BAND (HARMONIZING INSTRUMENTS)

APPLIED BAND (HARMONIZING INSTRUMENTS)

APPLIED BAND (HARMONIZING INSTRUMENTS)

APPLIED BAND (HARMONIZING INSTRUMENTS)

APPLIED BAND (HARMONIZING INSTRUMENTS)

PELHAM HIGH SCHOOL COURSE REGISTRATION

OVERVIEW

PE REQUIREMENT / WAIVER

HEALTH / DRIVER'S ED / CAREER PREP

CCRI REQUIREMENT

SAMPLE / SUGGESTED SCHEDULE (TO HAVE MORE ELECTIVES)

HOW TO REGISTER FOR THE 2025 - 2026 PELHAM HIGH SCHOOL BAND

1. Course Selection Sheet:

2. Band Registration Form (Google Form):

3. Information Meetings for Parents & Students:

4. Complete the Placement Audition

5. Attend the 2025-2026 KickOff Meeting (Required for Parents & Students)

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