With a student enrollment of 122 in our band program, our school offers several classes, performance and academic, which the students can take part of throughout the year.

PERFORMING ENSEMBLES

Wind Ensemble
The Wind Ensemble is an auditioned ensemble (4th period, 2nd semester) made up of brass,
woodwinds and percussion students that play music of the highest difficulty at Freedom. They
perform an average of three major concerts per school year and the students participate in local,
district, state, and national concert festivals and contests. ATTENDANCE FOR ALL REHEARSALS
(In-Class and After-School) AND PERFORMANCES IS MANDATORY. Wind Ensemble leaders will
be determined through chair auditions. After-school rehearsals/performances are considered the
“lab” portion of band class and are very important to the success of the entire ensemble, so they
will be graded.

Chair Auditions: After marching season, students will have chair auditions to determine their
placement in Wind Ensemble. This Audition will consist of sight-reading, select major scales, and
a prepared selection.


Symphonic Band
The Symphonic Band is a non-auditioned ensemble (1st period, 2nd semester) made up of brass,
woodwinds and percussion students that plays music on a difficulty level of that below the Wind
Ensemble. Students who are not placed in the Wind Ensemble through audition or chose not to
audition will be a part of the Symphonic Band. They perform an average of three major concerts
per school year and the students participate in local, district, state, and national concert festivals
and contests. ATTENDANCE FOR ALL REHEARSALS (In-Class and After-School) AND
PERFORMANCES IS MANDATORY. After-school rehearsals/performances are considered the
“lab” portion of band class and are very important to the success of the entire ensemble, so they
will be graded.


Patriot Marching Band
The Marching Band (4th period, 1st semester) is made up of brass, woodwinds, percussion, and
color guard. They perform at all football games, pep rallies, and parades as well as several band
competitions (between 3 and 4). This ensemble is co-curricular so it will be a portion of the
student’s grade as well as involve afterschool activities. Marching band is open to all dedicated
students grades 9-12. The marching band meets only in the fall semester. ATTENDANCE IS
MANDATORY AND WILL BE A PORTION OF THE STUDENT’S GRADE! After-school
rehearsals/performances are considered the “lab” portion of band class and are very important to
the success of the entire ensemble, so they will be graded.


Percussion Ensemble
The percussion ensemble is an in-class ensemble (3rd Period, 1st and 2nd semesters) made up of
percussion students. This class will cover the fundamentals of percussion for the less
experienced percussionists while highlighting advanced topics for the more experienced
percussionists. In the Fall, all marching percussion and front ensemble will be enrolled in the
class. During the Spring, the percussion ensemble will be made up of those percussionists that
do not place (through audition) into the wind ensemble or symphonic band. The percussion
ensemble will perform at school concerts, Solo & Ensemble Festival, and community functions.

Jazz Band
The FHS Jazz Band is made up of band students who audition and are placed into the afterschool
group. Practices are once a week, beginning in November, for two hours. Practice schedule
varies on student schedules. The instrumentation needed for the Jazz Bands are Alto Sax, Tenor
Sax, Baritone Sax, Trombone, Trumpet, Piano, Bass Guitar, Guitar, Piano, and Drum
Set/Auxiliaries. Students are highly encouraged to participate in this fun ensemble! This is also a
good way for a flute, clarinet, bassoon, or oboe player to learn how to play another instrument.


Brass and Woodwind Ensembles
These are otherwise known as Chamber Ensembles. These ensembles will be organized based on
student willingness and dedication. These ensembles might perform at solo and ensemble
festivals within the district (during the spring).

***Other ensembles may be formed during the course of the year.***