• State College Area

    High School

    Symphonic Band 

     
    Symphonic Band Toronto 2016
    photo credit: Margaret Higgins
     
     
    Symphonic Band 2012  

    Symphonic Band

    photo credit:  Ann Marie Mountz 

    Last Update:  10/11/19

    Advanced Band Curriculum

    Course Description

    Prerequisite: Audition with the Band Director
    The Symphonic Band provides a challenge for students who show exceptionally high levels of performance on their musical instrument.  In rehearsals, students work on the skills of blend, balance, tone quality, intonation, and proper interpretation,  while preparing for three concert appearances. Students are also eligible to participate in their grade-level band.  In addition, students are eligible to participate in PMEA music festivals at the district, regional, state, and all-eastern levels, and travel to festivals and competitions as the opportunities occur. Students enrolled in this band have the opportunity to participate in the High School Marching Band, The High School Jazz Band, and the High School Symphony Orchestra.
     
    2012 NYC Adjudication Performance
     
    Concert Schedule
     
    Wednesday, November 6, 2019 - All Bands
     
    Monday, April 27, 2020  - Advanced Ensembles
     
    Commencement Concert is Saturday morning, June 6, 2020, Penn State campus 
     
    Concerts are held at the Performance Hall starting at 7:30 PM
    Adult tickets are $3 and are available at the door on the night of the concert

     Contre Qui, Rose by M. Lauridsen _ R. Reynolds MP3.mp3

    All State Band History 1978-2016

    Richard Victor Legacy Award Winners 2012-Present

    Hege Award winners 1976-2010

     

     
     
    Congratulations to our 2010 Band Award recipients

    Eric Kernfeld - The John Philip Sousa Band Award

    Eric Posatko - The Franklin B Hege Memorial Award Scholarship

    Michael Marini - The Lemont Young American Band Scholarship

    Natalie Roberts - The National Band Association Outstanding Band Musician Award

    Emily Browne - Semper Fidelis Award for Musical Excellence

    Michael Marini - Shiri Berg First Flute Memorial Award

    Yosef Berlyand - Mario Marcanti Memorial Award

    Sam Heppelmann - Louis Armstrong Jazz Award

     

     

     

Audition Information

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     Auditions are held annually during the course registration period.  Students moving into the district after the auditions should contact Mr. Leskowicz to arrange for an audition.
     

    Audition Requirements 

    1. Performance of MAJOR SCALES from memory.

    Scales may be played at any tempo or rhythm for as many octaves as you are able to.
     

    2. Performance of a solo, etude, or excerpt.

    This prepared piece of your choice should be two to three minutes in length and demonstrate your highest level of competency. 
     
    You can also choose two shorter excerpts from either the same piece or two different pieces where one demonstrates your technical playing (faster rhythms and tempo, varied articulations, etc) and the other your lyrical playing that demonstrates tone quality, phrasing, breath control, and musicianship.
     
    Percussionists should choose an excerpt for mallet percussion.  
     

    3. Demonstration of sight-reading skill

    You will be asked to sight read a brief excerpt of typical Symphonic Band music.  Percussionists will perform a sight-reading excerpt on snare drum.
Last Modified on January 30, 2020