About the Washington Band Department
5th Grade Music Exploration Class
The NEW 5th Grade Music Exploration class at Washington Upper Elementary will give our students hands-on learning with Nuvo jHorn, jFlute, Clarineo instruments, beginner percussion kits, and their voice. These school provided instruments are paired with the Windstars music program. Windstars is a book based music curriculum for elementary students to experience the joy of playing music together, while setting them up for future beginning band.
The NEW 5th Grade Music Exploration class at Washington Upper Elementary will give our students hands-on learning with Nuvo jHorn, jFlute, Clarineo instruments, beginner percussion kits, and their voice. These school provided instruments are paired with the Windstars music program. Windstars is a book based music curriculum for elementary students to experience the joy of playing music together, while setting them up for future beginning band.
6th Grade Beginning Band(s)
6th Grade Beginning Band is the first true band class at Washington Community Schools. These students are broken up into 2 classes by pods and meet everyday. During their first year, students choose their instrument and begin to learn proper tone production, basic rhythm reading, playing technique, and music theory.
6th Grade Beginning Band is the first true band class at Washington Community Schools. These students are broken up into 2 classes by pods and meet everyday. During their first year, students choose their instrument and begin to learn proper tone production, basic rhythm reading, playing technique, and music theory.
7th Grade Intermediate Band
7th grade band is the continuation of 6th grade band and is the first ensemble at the Junior High building. These students will be combined into one large ensemble that meets daily. During their second year, students continue to expand their knowledge base of individual instrumental skills such as tone, pitch, intonation, rhythm, dynamics, and ensemble balance. The 7th grade band will have two to three after school concerts per year.
7th grade band is the continuation of 6th grade band and is the first ensemble at the Junior High building. These students will be combined into one large ensemble that meets daily. During their second year, students continue to expand their knowledge base of individual instrumental skills such as tone, pitch, intonation, rhythm, dynamics, and ensemble balance. The 7th grade band will have two to three after school concerts per year.
8th Grade Advanced Band
8th grade band is the continuation of 7th grade intermediate band. 8th grade band is the final ensemble before students transition into high school band. These students will be combined into one large ensemble that meets daily. During their third year, students continue to expand their knowledge base of individual instrumental skills such as tone, pitch, rhythm, dynamics, and ensemble balance. They will also explore deeper into music theory, the science of sound and intonation, and how they pertain to the wind ensemble. The 8th grade band will have two to three after school concerts per year.
8th grade band members will have the opportunity to audition for the Washington Indoor Percussion or the Golden Pride Marching Band.
8th grade band is the continuation of 7th grade intermediate band. 8th grade band is the final ensemble before students transition into high school band. These students will be combined into one large ensemble that meets daily. During their third year, students continue to expand their knowledge base of individual instrumental skills such as tone, pitch, rhythm, dynamics, and ensemble balance. They will also explore deeper into music theory, the science of sound and intonation, and how they pertain to the wind ensemble. The 8th grade band will have two to three after school concerts per year.
8th grade band members will have the opportunity to audition for the Washington Indoor Percussion or the Golden Pride Marching Band.
High School Band
The Washington High School Band department consists of students grades 9-12.
Fall Semester - Golden Pride Marching Band
During the summer and fall semester, High school & select 8th grade students begin practicing for the Golden Pride Marching competition show. The Golden Pride has competed in ISSMA Scholastic Class B for the past few season with great success. Daily during the fall semester students prepare the competition show in class and have evening practices throughout the week. They focus on producing the highest quality of a marching arts production.
In addition to going to competitions during the Fall semester, the Golden Pride performs for the crowd during the home football games and participates in the Washington Homecoming and Christmas parades.
After the marching season concludes, students transition into concert season and prepare for the Holiday Concert, WIP, and Pep Band.
Spring Semester
During the Spring Semester, the high school band focuses on concert music and pep band. The High School Concert Band takes all the fundamental music skills learned through the Upper Elementary Band and Junior High Bands and expands upon them further. They consistently play both cutting edge and standard wind ensemble compositions. The High School Concert Band is the top performing concert ensemble at Washington Community Schools. The same group of students make up the Golden Pride Pep Band. The Pep Band performs at select Boys and Girls Basketball games during the Winter, performing a variety of hits from yesterday and today. During the Spring Concert, awards and letters are given out and Senior members are recognized.
Applied Music
The Applied Music class is for upperclassmen band and choir students who wish to advance their individual musicianship through peer tutoring and independent studies. Students will travel to the Upper Elementary School to tutor 6th grade beginning band members. When not at the Upper Elementary School, students will prepare for ISSMA Solo & Ensemble, college music auditions, or individual practice.
Washington Indoor Percussion (WIP)
Washington Indoor Percussion is an optional, auditioned ensemble which competes throughout winter and spring. WIP is a part of the Indiana Percussion Association. Students have evening practices throughout the week, and they focus on producing the highest quality of a marching arts production. The Washington Indoor Percussion has been a Top 5 finalist at IPA State Championships for the past 5 years.
Optional Band Activities
All-District Honor Band
All-Region Honor Band
ISSMA Solo & Ensemble
Washington Indoor Percussion
Beginning Guitar
Music Theory / Keyboard
Music / Theatre Tech
The Washington High School Band department consists of students grades 9-12.
Fall Semester - Golden Pride Marching Band
During the summer and fall semester, High school & select 8th grade students begin practicing for the Golden Pride Marching competition show. The Golden Pride has competed in ISSMA Scholastic Class B for the past few season with great success. Daily during the fall semester students prepare the competition show in class and have evening practices throughout the week. They focus on producing the highest quality of a marching arts production.
In addition to going to competitions during the Fall semester, the Golden Pride performs for the crowd during the home football games and participates in the Washington Homecoming and Christmas parades.
After the marching season concludes, students transition into concert season and prepare for the Holiday Concert, WIP, and Pep Band.
Spring Semester
During the Spring Semester, the high school band focuses on concert music and pep band. The High School Concert Band takes all the fundamental music skills learned through the Upper Elementary Band and Junior High Bands and expands upon them further. They consistently play both cutting edge and standard wind ensemble compositions. The High School Concert Band is the top performing concert ensemble at Washington Community Schools. The same group of students make up the Golden Pride Pep Band. The Pep Band performs at select Boys and Girls Basketball games during the Winter, performing a variety of hits from yesterday and today. During the Spring Concert, awards and letters are given out and Senior members are recognized.
Applied Music
The Applied Music class is for upperclassmen band and choir students who wish to advance their individual musicianship through peer tutoring and independent studies. Students will travel to the Upper Elementary School to tutor 6th grade beginning band members. When not at the Upper Elementary School, students will prepare for ISSMA Solo & Ensemble, college music auditions, or individual practice.
Washington Indoor Percussion (WIP)
Washington Indoor Percussion is an optional, auditioned ensemble which competes throughout winter and spring. WIP is a part of the Indiana Percussion Association. Students have evening practices throughout the week, and they focus on producing the highest quality of a marching arts production. The Washington Indoor Percussion has been a Top 5 finalist at IPA State Championships for the past 5 years.
Optional Band Activities
All-District Honor Band
All-Region Honor Band
ISSMA Solo & Ensemble
Washington Indoor Percussion
Beginning Guitar
Music Theory / Keyboard
Music / Theatre Tech