The height of the OCHS band program, this performance ensemble is made up of students placed by audition each year in Symphonic Band class. Many of these students are in the developmental stages of distinguished or proficient and are the student leaders of our OCHS band program. This ensemble performs through the concert season and showcases the highest talent of the OCHS Band program. It combines with the Concert Band for select performances and for all athletic band activities (marching and pep bands).
Activities/expectations
Preparation and performance of marching band music/drill
Preparation and performance of symphonic band literature
Attendance at all after-school rehearsals (marching and concert)
Use of individual evaluation/interactive accompaniment software (SmartMusic)
Preparation and performance of a variety of ensemble literature
Development and evaluation of individual technique and skills on your instrument
Performance at KMEA Solo and Ensemble festival (required of all members)
Performance of music for individual evaluation (live and on SmartMusic)
Performance of audition music (November) for concert band seating
Emphasis on the OCHS band program, this performance ensemble is made up of students placed by audition each year in Concert Band class, with the addition of musicians enrolled in Percussion Techniques class. Many of these students are in the developmental stage of proficiency and, in a sense, are “training” for Symphonic at some point in the future. The ensemble performs the same concert schedule as Symphonic Band and combines with that group for select performances and for all athletic band activities (marching and pep bands).
Activities/expectations
Preparation and performance of marching band music/drill
Preparation and performance of symphonic band literature
Attendance at all after-school rehearsals (marching and concert)
Use of individual evaluation/interactive accompaniment software (SmartMusic)
Preparation and performance of a variety of ensemble literature
Development and evaluation of individual technique and skills on your instrument
Performance at KMEA Solo and Ensemble festival (required of all members)
Performance of music for individual evaluation (live and on SmartMusic)
Performance of audition music (November) for concert band seating
Oldham County High School was established in 1953 with the consolidation of LaGrange and Crestwood High Schools on its current campus in Buckner, Kentucky. Oldham County’s close proximity to Louisville and its reputation for outstanding schools have made it one of the fastest growing areas in Kentucky over the past half century.
OCHS has been recognized twice as a National School of Excellence, and as a Kentucky Blue Ribbon School. Our school has always been blessed with solid administrative leadership, an outstanding faculty, and students who are genuinely interested in learning. As a result, OCHS has been consistently ranked as one of the top high schools in Kentucky, has had many student participants in the Kentucky Governors’ School programs, National Merit Scholars, and numerous academic honors.
The OCHS band has received consistent Distinguished ratings for performance in KMEA events for well over three decades. Prior to 2004, the Marching Colonels were very active in marching events including Bands of America regionals, the KMEA State Marching Band Championships (5 time finalists) and major parade performances at the Fiesta Bowl (1987), Macy*s Thanksgiving Day Parade (1988) and the Orange Bowl Parade (1988). The program refocused their emphasis on concert performance and support of school athletics since 2004.
Since 1992, the OCHS band has performed with distinction in concert events throughout the eastern United States and Canada, most recently in the WorldStrides Festival of Gold/Chicago in the spring of 2015, the Grand National Adjudicators Invitational in 2017 and the Dixie Classic Williamsburg Concert Festival in 2019. The Symphonic Band performed as a featured ensemble at the KMEA In-Service Conference in 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018, and served as a clinic ensemble on three other occasions. Our Tuba-Euphonium ensemble and the Flute Choir performed at the Conference in 2013 and 2014. Students in the OCHS band participate in all aspects of the program (concert band, marching band, pep bands and small ensembles), and are well represented on academic teams and in academic honors organizations. Students excel individually as well, with many representing the program in All District and All State Ensembles, university-sponsored honors band clinics, and national honors bands (NAfME All National Ensembles). A considerable number of band students are also involved in at least one team sport as well, including soccer, cross country, lacrosse, wrestling, track and field, tennis, and others.
The Marching Colonels are a non-competitive ensemble made up of the total enrollment of all instrumental classes. This group performs for home football games and community events throughout the summer and fall semester, and is split into two pep bands to perform for girls and boys basketball teams during their season.
OCHS returned to a seven-period traditional schedule in 2010 after twelve years on a 4 x 4 block schedule. All music performance classes meet for 50 minutes daily, with percussionists scheduled in a separate percussion class. One after school rehearsal each week is scheduled to tie the ensembles together for performances. Instrumental courses include Jazz ensemble, Percussion Techniques, and two ability-leveled Symphonic bands.
I’ve heard from several students and parents about this subject in the last few weeks. I posted it early in our “experience” of NTI, and again tonight; very much worth a reminder as we close for the semester.
This is a great reference for all of our woodwind and brass players; please post in email and on our website.
Even if you don’t have a personally owned band instrument, you really should clean what you play more than once a year! Woodwind players should pay particular attention to how to clean the clarinet or saxophone mouthpiece properly–easy and effective.
The main athletic band of the OCHS band program. This performance ensemble is made up of wind players enrolled in both Symphonic Band classes, with the addition of musicians enrolled in Percussion Techniques class.
Activities/expectations
Preparation and performance of marching band music/drill
Preparation and performance of symphonic band literature
Attendance at all after-school rehearsals (marching and concert)
Use of individual evaluation/interactive accompaniment software (SmartMusic)
Preparation and performance of a variety of ensemble literature
Development and evaluation of individual technique and skills on your instrument
Performance at KMEA Solo and Ensemble festival (required of all members)
Performance of music for individual evaluation (live and on SmartMusic)
Performance of audition music (November) for concert band seating
Other performances scheduled throughout the year
MARCHING BAND is required of all participants. Summer band camp is required for all members. This is a non-competitive group with after school rehearsals limited to one afternoon per week. The marching band will perform at all home football games and selected community events throughout the fall semester.
This course is designed as an elective extension of the Symphonic Band, allowing students to learn jazz styles, improvisation, and performance through an ensemble class. An audition is required for students not enrolled in the Symphonic Band or Percussion Techniques class.
Activities/expectations:
Preparation and performance of jazz ensemble literature
Attendance at scheduled rehearsals (after school or in school)
Use of individual evaluation/interactive accompaniment software (SmartMusic)
Development and evaluation of individual technique and skills on your instrument
Performance in one or two jazz ensemble festivals (required of all members)
Performance of music for individual evaluation (usually one or two per quarter)
All wind and percussion players will perform pep band music for pep rallies during school, and selected home girls and boys basketball games. Pep bands for basketball season will be assigned in November. Each student will be expected to meet a reasonable performance obligation during basketball season. A listing of basketball dates not in conflict with other band activities will be posted with assignments for performance. Students are expected to work out their personal schedules to accommodate their assigned pep band obligations. Attendance at performances is required, with performance grades assigned.
Tournament games will be covered by the entire band as needed. Bus transportation and tickets will be provided to all tournament games played off-campus.
Pep Band assignments for 2019-2020 will be posted below in November. Stay tuned!
How we do pep band:
All band members are assigned five home basketball game appearances from early December until the conclusion of the regular season. “Doubleheaders” involving both boys and girls teams are scheduled wherever practical in an effort to limit the number of nights tied up by students; these games are played by both pep bands combined.
Call time: Doubleheaders 5:00 p.m.; single boys/girls varsity games 6:00.
Games are usually concluded by 9:00 p.m., unless they go “overtime”.
Basketball performances are graded activities; all are encouraged to look carefully at their scheduled games/dates NOW and schedule accordingly.
Tournament games are done on a volunteer basis; schedules for the tournaments are generally available only a couple of days in advance (after the tournament draw is completed).
