LHS Band

"Success in anything requires dedication, a willingness to fail, and most importantly, a positive attitude. Fun is a bi-product of hard work."

La Grande High School Band

This is a page dedicated to helping the high school band parent navigate all the new trips and opportunities your child has in: High School Instrumental Music!

COVID-19 Considerations

Yes! We will be striving to create the highest quality music possible during this strange time. Students will be required to participate in the following during distance and hybrid learning this year.

1. Virtual sectionals

2. Playing tests

3. Theory assignments

4. Virtual performances etc.

At La Grande High School, students have the opportunity to perform instrumental music in multiple ensembles some as a class, and others as an extra curricular activity. Those include Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Marching Band, Pep-Band, and Various Small Ensembles. At the beginning of the year, students who participate in Symphonic Band or Wind Ensemble also participate in Marching Band. Pep-Band is during Basketball season and provides community entertainment during home basketball games. Each year there are different small ensembles provided by community members or Mr. Justice as his schedule allows.

EACH ENSEMBLE HAS REQUIRED CONCERTS THAT ARE SCHEDULED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.

Please see that calendar on the right >>>>

Each class follows a few simple classroom rules that govern rehearsals and prepare students for increasing levels of musical performance by creating, developing and refining proper musical habits. These classroom expectations are as follows:

1. Be Respectful

2. Be Responsible

3. Make Mistakes

Wait, that's it?!? Yeah, because if you follow those three rules, you follow all the expectations for productive rehearsals.

Come prepared to play, and to learn (Responsible)
Bring your music, instrument, pencil and everything you need to use those items each day! (reeds, oils, folders, supplies, etc.)
Be on time (Responsible).
Don't waste your rehearsal time with non-relevant chatter (Both).
Every person has value and should be treated as such (Respectful).
Their ideas, their values, their image, their possessions should be respected. - Don't take what isn't yours, treat others the way you want to be treated, leave things better than you found them, (this includes people!).
Mistakes are the greatest learning tool you have, make them often, but never the same one twice. "Always make new mistakes!"

At The High School Level

Students entering the high school program from the middle school will experience a completely different environment than they are used to. This has to do with more responsibility being given to the students and a higher level of expectation in return.

Each year at LHS school starts early for members of the LHS Band program. Band Camp starts the marching season off giving students opportunities to lead and run rehearsals, marching drills, and mentoring. Members of the LHS Band can apply to become a section leader or audition to become a drum major, these people are "instrumental" in getting the year off to a great start. They contact all incoming students and keep them informed.

Marching season lasts about 8 weeks, and moves right into Concert Band Season. This is closer to what LMS students experienced at La Grande Middle School but again, with a high school approach to it. During concert season students continue to develop on their instrument, continue to play music and continue to grow musically. But in order to grow they need to be stretched. Students in the LHS band will learn all their scales, get more training in theory and will have a greater number of performance opportunities.

I'm going to keep this here because this is a beautiful life lesson for everyone. I'm also adding this next thought.