Classes
The following classes are offered at Bakersfield High School:
Orchestra
This class is open to string musicians only. The wind and percussion section will be comprised of the 1st chair musicians from Wind Ensemble. The first semester will involve working on concert literature, technical studies and ensemble sound for performance. The second semester will focus primarily with performances and touring. This ensemble performs at concerts, festivals and other related events. This course meets district graduation requirements for Fine Arts credit.
Concert Band
The Concert Band is the lower level instrumental performance ensemble. All students are able to participate in this class. The first semester will deal with beginning music pedagogy, marching band related music, beginning technical studies and preparation for a concert. The second semester will focus primarily with continuing development of instrumental pedagogy, and performances performances. This ensemble performs at concerts, festivals, and other related events. Concert Band meets the district graduation requirements for Fine Arts credit.
Symphonic Band
The Symphonic Band is the intermediate level instrumental performance ensemble. Membership is based upon being able to read music, knowledge of basic instrument performance techniques and instructor approval. The first semester will deal with marching band related music, intermediate technical studies and preparation for two concert. The second semester will focus primarily with performances and possible touring. This ensemble performs at concerts, festivals, and other related events. Symphonic Band meets the district graduation requirements for Fine Arts credit.
Wind Ensemble
The Wind Ensemble is the class for the most advanced instrumental music students determined through performance on Proficiencies. Students must have directors permission to enroll in Wind Ensemble. The first semester will deal with marching band related music, intermediate technical studies and preparation for a concert. The second semester will focus primarily with performances and possible touring. This ensemble performs at concerts, festivals, and other related events. Wind Ensemble meets the district graduation requirements for Fine Arts credit.
Marching Band
This performance-based class provides training in music and marching maneuvers for field shows and parades. This group will travel extensively during the first semester performing at all home varsity football games and 4 to 5 competitions around the state. A volunteer Pep Band is formed from this group that performs at various away Football games. This is an 8th period class that meets on Mondays 3-5PM, Tuesdays 6-9pm, and Thursdays 3-5pm. Advanced Band (Marching Band) is a one-semester class that meets district graduation requirements for Fine Arts credit.
Drum Line
This performance-based class provides training in music on percussion instruments. This class is primarily for the education in percussion performance. Performance of percussion is for those students concurrently enrolled in Marching Band (Band/Advanced). Students from the percussion class will be used to fill the percussion sections of the Concert Band and the Wind Ensemble. Percussion meets district graduation requirements for Fine Arts credit.
Color Guard
This performance-based class provides training in dance, ballet, and weapon/prop use (tall and short flags, swing flags, rifles, sabers, along with a variety of other props). During the fall semester the color guard performs with the marching band at competitions and football games. In the spring semester, the color guard becomes its own entity and performs at various indoor competitions during the season.
Prism Ensemble
The Prism Performance Ensemble is the 2nd semester stage band consisting of winds and strings. The ensemble has one epic culminating performance each year. As marching band ends in November, and Drum Line and Color Guard each have their own break off, the Prism Performance Ensemble is that for the winds.
Please see our resources page for more detailed information.