Why Participate in Band / Orchestra?
You need at least one high school fine arts credit in order to graduate. If you already play an instrument, enrolling in band or orchestra at South Carroll High School is an easy and fun way to fulfill this graduation requirement. Classes are engaging and rehearsals are challenging. You'll expand your knowledge through a wide range of musical experiences. Being a member of the instrumental music program will also build your confidence, self-esteem and pride in accomplishment.
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Perhaps the biggest benefit of joining band or orchestra is the friendships you'll make. You'll instantly become part of a caring, supportive network who help each other to be successful in all areas of their social and academic lives.
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Band I and Orchestra are our two main curricular performing ensembles at South Carroll High School open to freshman. These are the gateways to many other performance opportunities at South Carroll. If you play a brass, woodwind, or percussion instrument you'll want to be sure to sign up for Band I. If you play a stringed instrument, then Orchestra is the place for you. Regardless of your skill level, you be welcomed in these classes.
All instrumental music offerings are regularly scheduled classes, just like any other class at the high school level. This means that there are no pullout lessons or rehearsals, so you won’t miss any other classes for band and orchestra. You will be able to pursue a rigorous academic schedule, including AP classes, dual enrollment, and/or Career and Tech Center offerings, and participate in instrumental music all four years of your high school career.
And yes – in case you were wondering, you can play sports and also play an instrument at South Carroll High School. If fact, we encourage students to pursue multiple interests! We have quite a few student athletes in the instrumental music program and are quite proud of their accomplishments, both on the field and in the concert hall.
In addition to the scheduled music classes at South Carroll High School there are many extracurricular opportunities. For example, we are working to rebuild the South Carroll Cavalier Marching Band. Prior to the Pandemic, we took second place in our group at the last Maryland Marching Band Association State Festival at Towson University. We hope that all instrumentalists will participate in the Marching Band to represent South Carroll in parades and on the football field next fall. More information about this opportunity will be send home in the near future.
Members of the South Carroll instrumental music program are also well-represented in the All-County band/orchestra, All-State band/orchestra, Carroll County Solo & Ensemble Festival, State Solo & Ensemble Festival, Frederick Regional Youth Orchestra, Peabody Youth Wind Ensemble, and the Maryland Distinguished Honors program, to name a few. In short, there are many enrichment opportunities available to students enrolled in band or orchestra at South Carroll.
You have nothing to lose by taking band/orchestra in 9th grade and potentially a lot to gain. You will contribute to a growing and exciting music program, have the opportunity to participate in a wide array of musical opportunities, earn the respect of peers, have purposeful fun with friends, and satisfy a high school fine-arts graduation requirement.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any additional questions. Even if we can’t answer your question, we’ll be sure to refer you to someone who can.
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