Bands & Ensembles
Welcome to the Oregon City High School Instrumental Music Program.
We are anticipating another exciting year of award-winning performances and will continue to provide a quality program for our students.
At Oregon City High School, we pride ourselves in providing a well-balanced musical and performance experience for our students. We offer a wide variety of performing groups and hope that you will find one that fits your student's needs as well as help them feel good about themselves and their high school education.
Jazz Band (Early Bird)
Jazz Ensemble is an instrumental course designed to study and perform in many different styles
including: Swing, Bebop, Latin, Rock, and many more. All musicians in jazz ensemble must be
concurrently enrolled in a separate band (Concert, Symphonic, Wind Ensemble). Piano, bass guitar,
and/or electric guitar may seek an exception at the directors discretion. The group rehearses four
days a week. This is a performing course with performances during and after school. Conflicts which
take a student away from the majority of after school rehearsals, practices or performances require
band director approval before the student registers for the class. Auditions will be held in May.
(2 Semesters)
including: Swing, Bebop, Latin, Rock, and many more. All musicians in jazz ensemble must be
concurrently enrolled in a separate band (Concert, Symphonic, Wind Ensemble). Piano, bass guitar,
and/or electric guitar may seek an exception at the directors discretion. The group rehearses four
days a week. This is a performing course with performances during and after school. Conflicts which
take a student away from the majority of after school rehearsals, practices or performances require
band director approval before the student registers for the class. Auditions will be held in May.
(2 Semesters)
Concert Band
Concert Band is the entry level instrumental ensemble at Oregon City High School. Students should
have their own instrument. A few of the larger, more expensive instruments are provided by the
school. This is a performing class with performances during and after school. Students will survey a
variety of concert literature and work on development of ensemble blend, balance, intonation,
sight-reading, and individual instrumental technique. Members will have the opportunity to study
with professional clinicians to enhance personal improvement and aid in preparation of solo and
ensemble repertoire. During the fall season, participation in the marching band is highly encouraged
for all home football games, competitions, and parades. During the winter season, participation in the
pep band is encouraged for home basketball games. This class may include summer rehearsals and
an annual Band Camp scheduled in August.
(2 Semesters)
have their own instrument. A few of the larger, more expensive instruments are provided by the
school. This is a performing class with performances during and after school. Students will survey a
variety of concert literature and work on development of ensemble blend, balance, intonation,
sight-reading, and individual instrumental technique. Members will have the opportunity to study
with professional clinicians to enhance personal improvement and aid in preparation of solo and
ensemble repertoire. During the fall season, participation in the marching band is highly encouraged
for all home football games, competitions, and parades. During the winter season, participation in the
pep band is encouraged for home basketball games. This class may include summer rehearsals and
an annual Band Camp scheduled in August.
(2 Semesters)
Symphonic Band
Symphonic Band is the intermediate instrumental ensemble offered at Oregon City High School.
Students should have their own instrument. A few of the larger, more expensive instruments are
provided by the school. This is a performing class with performances during and after school.
Participation in marching band is highly encouraged for students enrolled in this course. Conflicts
which take a student away from the majority of after school rehearsals, practices or performances
should be discussed with the band director. Students will continue to perform a variety of concert
literature and work on focused development of ensemble blend, balance, intonation, sight-reading,
and individual instrumental technique. Members will have the opportunity to study with
professional clinicians to enhance personal improvement and aid in preparation of solo and
ensemble repertoire. During the fall season, participation in the marching band is highly encouraged
for all home football games, competitions, and parades. During the winter season, participation in
the pep band is encouraged for home basketball games. This class may include summer rehearsals
and an annual Band Camp scheduled in August.
(2 Semesters)
Students should have their own instrument. A few of the larger, more expensive instruments are
provided by the school. This is a performing class with performances during and after school.
Participation in marching band is highly encouraged for students enrolled in this course. Conflicts
which take a student away from the majority of after school rehearsals, practices or performances
should be discussed with the band director. Students will continue to perform a variety of concert
literature and work on focused development of ensemble blend, balance, intonation, sight-reading,
and individual instrumental technique. Members will have the opportunity to study with
professional clinicians to enhance personal improvement and aid in preparation of solo and
ensemble repertoire. During the fall season, participation in the marching band is highly encouraged
for all home football games, competitions, and parades. During the winter season, participation in
the pep band is encouraged for home basketball games. This class may include summer rehearsals
and an annual Band Camp scheduled in August.
(2 Semesters)
Honors Wind Ensemble
Wind Ensemble is the highest-level instrumental ensemble offered at Oregon City High School.
Students should have their own instrument. A few of the larger, more expensive instruments are
provided by the school. This is a performing class with performances during and after school.
Participation in marching band is highly encouraged for students enrolled in this course. Conflicts
which take a student away from the majority of after school rehearsals, practices or performances
should be discussed with the band director. Auditions will be held in May. Grade IV and V band
literature will be a focus of the course. Required performances are part of the course and students are
highly encouraged to participate in marching band and pep band. This class may include summer
rehearsals and an annual Band Camp scheduled in August.
(2 Semesters)
Students should have their own instrument. A few of the larger, more expensive instruments are
provided by the school. This is a performing class with performances during and after school.
Participation in marching band is highly encouraged for students enrolled in this course. Conflicts
which take a student away from the majority of after school rehearsals, practices or performances
should be discussed with the band director. Auditions will be held in May. Grade IV and V band
literature will be a focus of the course. Required performances are part of the course and students are
highly encouraged to participate in marching band and pep band. This class may include summer
rehearsals and an annual Band Camp scheduled in August.
(2 Semesters)
Pep Band
Our fantastic pep band cheers on our basketball teams. Music is rehearsed during our regular class time winter trimester. Students are encouraged to work on their music outside of class and may organize practice time on their own. Please remember to always come with a great attitude, be supportive of our team, our band, and our fans. Students are expected to help set-up and pick up all their trash from the band section after the game.
What do I wear?
- Concert, Symphonic, Wind & Jazz Bands wear formal concert dress attire.
- Tuxes - purchased in the fall
- Dresses - purchased in the fall
- Marching Band wears a uniform that is checked out (fitted in August during Band Camp)
- Pep Band wears any band t-shirt with jeans or shorts. Theme nights are always popular, and the drum majors will communicate those nights a week in advance to the band.