LHS Wind Ensemble Handbook page 4 of 4

We cannot stress enough how important the role of the private music teacher is in guiding a young musician to his or her highest possible level of achievement. We hope you will consider taking advantage of our collection of excellent private instructors.

Instrument lessons are available locally from private institutions as well as here at Lexington High School through the auspices of Lexington Community Education. Complete details and printable registration forms are available at http://www.lexingtoncommunityed.org/
http://lhs.lexingtonma.org/Dept/FineArts/music/private lessons.html

Band Officers

President

The band co-presidents are responsible for behind-the-scenes work such as getting the music prepared for the wind ensemble, organizing the band room, organizing outside groups (such as pep band), among other things. Feel free to come to the presidents for whatever problems you may have: logistics, how-to’s, questions pertaining to your music (or biology homework), or whatever else you wish.

Section Leaders

Section leaders are responsible for music distribution and making sure that all of the members of their section have the correct parts. They should make sure that all stands and chairs are put away at the end of rehearsals and assist in keeping all members of their sections at task during rehearsals.

Go to your section leader when…
• You need a part
• You’ve lost/forgotten your music
• You have questions about the music, fingerings, etc.

Graduation

The Wind Ensemble plays at LHS’s graduation ceremony every year. It has become tradition that when a graduating wind ensemble senior goes up to receive his/her diploma, his/her respective section plays a little something (a high note, a trill, a small excerpt from band music). When band presidents go up, the entire wind ensemble plays something (either an organized excerpt or simply a lot of sound).

MICCA Competition
(Massachusetts Instrumental & Choral Conductors Association )
www.miccamusic.org

MICCA is a statewide music festival and LHS is a host to the instrumental portion. Each group in the festival is evaluated by three judges and the performance is proceeded by a clinic with one of the judges. Medals are awarded to each group and the gold medal winners have the opportunity to play at either Symphony Hall in Boston or Mechanics Hall in Worcester.

The MICCA festival starts Friday afternoon and goes through Sunday. LHS students are asked to volunteer (community service hours are given) during this weekend to help take performing groups around the school, work as stage crew, etc.

Pops

Pops is a fun, celebratory concert held in the gym at the end of the year. All the major music groups play and a variety of music is performed. There is some serious repertoire, but mostly fun things (examples of past repertoire include Disney songs, a Beatle’s medley, Godzilla Eats Las Vegas with an accompanying slide show). Dress is less strict than at other concerts. Girls generally wear a formal, prom-like dress. Boys wear a tux and
more colorful bow tie.

Practice Rooms

Four practice rooms are available throughout the day for student use. Practice rooms will generally be locked, so find a janitor, Mr. Aramati, or Mr. Leonard to open one for you. After school, practice rooms are usually used for private lessons. You are welcome to
use any empty one you find but be prepared to leave if a teacher arrives.

See website for performance schedules: performance schedules

a note from the director - page 1

course offerings, course expectations, grading policy, indep.project - page 2

concert and parade dress, - page 3

private lessons, band officers, Graduation, MICCA, pracitice rooms - page 4

performance schedules