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.
Concert Band
This course is for students interested in continuing their instrumental music skills learned before high school. There will be an emphasis on music theory, sight-reading, and instrumental technique. A wide variety of music is performed. Evening performances are required. This course may be repeated for credit. This is a full year course.
Marching Band
During the first trimester, all Band members wishing to participate will register for Marching Band. Marching Band will rehearse during the school day and perform as The Pioneer Scarlet Brigade in parades, football games, and field show competitions. Students are required to participate in all appearances by the band. This class may be repeated for credit. This class is offered First Trimester only.
Jazz Band (Early Bird)
Jazz Band is a high-level performing group that consists of standard jazz band instrumentation. Participation in this ensemble is by audition only. Instruction in this ensemble focuses on music literacy, performance, and listening skills in the jazz styles. This group studies and performs jazz blues, ballads, swing tunes, shuffle tunes, and Latin-style pieces. Students also learn the techniques of jazz improvisation. This ensemble performs at band concerts throughout the year, jazz festivals, and a variety of performances throughout our local community. This is a full year course.
Symphonic Band
Symphonic Band is a first-rate performing group at Oregon City High School. Instruction for this ensemble focuses on the preparation of music in a variety of types and styles for public concerts and other events. This ensemble focuses on the development of band techniques (tone, rhythmic accuracy, technical facility, articulation, intonation, blend, balance, and music expression), as well as demonstrating proficiency of state and national standards for music education. Students are required to participate in all appearances by the band. This class may be repeated for credit. This is a full year course.
Honors Wind Ensemble
Wind Ensemble is the premiere audition only ensemble for our highest-level players. Students study a wide variety of musical repertoire, further their development of band techniques, develop skills and appreciation for musical understanding and performance, and have the opportunity to participate in many activities including concerts, music festivals, competitions, out of town trips, and solo & ensemble festivals. This course may be repeated for credit. Auditions for this group will take place in the fall from concert band, symphonic band, and marching band members. This course is offered in Trimesters two and three.
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.