Recorder Class (Grand Rapids)
The Recorder Class is a great and fun way to introduce your child to basic music principles and basic music appreciation. Available to children age 7 and up, students will learn note recognition and rhythm. By the end of the year, they will be able to play several songs on a recorder. This is a great way to prepare your child for Beginning Band. (Please see catalog for more information and requirements.)
Beginning Band (Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo)
Beginning Band is for students with little or no musical training on a chosen instrument. To participate in Beginning Band, students must be at least 9 years old and attend a music guidance survey and an instrument fitting. The music guidance survey is a test to determine your child’s musical aptitude. The instrument fitting is a time for your child to see and play all the different instruments that are available under the direction of trained personnel. With the information gathered at the music guidance survey and instrument fitting we are better able to determine what instrument your child would enjoy based on their aptitudes, abilities, and desire.
Every effort is made to ensure your child’s success. Early on, the Beginning Band is divided into instrument sections under the direction of qualified instructors. After a few months they will be able to play together as a collective band. (Please see catalog for more information and requirements.)
Intermediate Band (Grand Rapids)
The Intermediate Band is open to students who have played at least one year on an instrument. Last year’s beginners will automatically qualify to be enrolled in the Intermediate Band unless changing to a new instrument. An audition is required for all new students enrolling in this band. (Please see catalog for more information and requirements.)
Advanced Band (Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids)
The Kalamazoo Advanced Band is open to students who have played at least one year on an instrument. An audition is required for all students enrolling in this band. (Please see catalog for more information and requirements.)
The Grand Rapids Advanced Band is open to students who have played at least two years on an instrument. Auditions are required. This band competes in the MSBOA Festival. (Please see catalog for more information and requirements.)
Concert Band (Grand Rapids)
The Concert Band, our highest-level band, is open to students who have at least two years experience. Auditions are required. This band competes in the MSBOA Festival. (Please see catalog for more information and requirements.)
Homeschool Big Band (Grand Rapids)
Big Band took first place at the Central Michigan Jazz Festival in 2010 and 2011.
This ensemble is patterned after the American Big Band tradition similar to the bands of the swing era, such as Glenn Miller, Count Basie and Duke Ellington. Instrumentation is based around 5 saxophones, 4 trombones, 4 trumpets and a rhythm section. The rhythm section consists of bass, piano, drums, and guitar. Instrumentation is somewhat flexible. Emphasis will be on learning the melody to several standard songs and learning to improvise stylistically around these melodies. Auditions are required. (Please see catalog for more information and requirements.)
Instrumental Ensembles (Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo)
A clarinet quartet performs at the Solo and Ensemble Competition
A variety of instrumental ensembles are available for those who desire a greater challenge and want to excel musically. The ensembles also have greater opportunities to perform in public. WMHFA offers Brass, Woodwind, Percussion, and Flute ensembles. Members are chosen from those currently enrolled in band.
Festival Participation & Full Year Commitment (Grand Rapids)
The upper level groups (Advanced/Concert Bands, Advanced/Symphony Orchestras, and Northern Lights Chorale) are what we call “Festival Groups” These groups go to the MSBOA/MSVMA District Festivals and possibly to the MSBOA/MSVMA State Festivals. A lot of work goes into these festivals so we can do our very best. It is essential for every member and the parents of every member selected to be in one of these groups realize how vitally important every member is. Therefore, to become a member of one of these groups it will require the member and parents to make a commitment that, if chosen, they will not drop out, but complete the full year and they will attend each festival the group performs in. Students who cannot make this commitment will be placed in a group that does not perform at festival.
Click here for our YouTube channel