Band

Woodwind and brass students will start out together in this band. This class is entry level and open to 2nd year music students. Beginners may be allowed to enter this class on an individual basis. 

All percussion students will be enrolled in the percussion class. Percussion students in the 7th and 8th grade are expected to also participate in their main band class as well (Symphonic Band or Wind Ensemble)

This group is Aspire's intermediate band. Students will focus on learning to produce good sound, articulation, basic music theory, major, minor and chromatic scales, rhythmic notation, and playing different musical styles. This group performs 3 to 4 concerts per year.

This group is by audition and is our highest level large group. We travel to festivals. Students are expected to master their music, and maintain no more than 3 missing assignments in all classes. They must also represent the school through exemplary behavior. If a student does not follow their participation contract, they may be moved to Symphonic Band and another student may fill their slot.

This is our entry level jazz band and students of all grades are welcome to join. We focus on learning to play jazz styles and improvisation skills. This group plays one additional evening performance and 1–2 additional Saturday performances, they also travel to the local jazz festival (during school).

Students in this group are expected to play the main jazz instruments (trumpet, trombone, saxophone, guitar, bass, piano, or drums.) Saxophonists should play a "double" in concert band. For example, sax in jazz and either clarinet, flute, oboe, or bassoon in concert band. It is important for woodwind players to double if possible. Most professional woodwind players will double, triple, or even master the whole woodwind family.

This group is highly active and performs 3 Saturday performances and 3–4 additional evening performances. This class is by audition and is highly competitive. We travel to several festivals around the state. Students are expected to perform improvised solos and master their music, keep a minimum average C grade and no more than 3 missing assignments in all classes. They must also represent the school through exemplary behavior. If a student does not meet expectations, they may be moved to Intermediate Jazz Band and another student may fill their slot.

This is not a course at the school but an available opportunity.

Students at Aspire are able to take multiple musical groups and will often take two bands to expand their musicianship by learning second instruments. 

Students with an interest in expanding to what we call "scholarship" instruments may want to do so during the year. These instruments are a step-up in difficulty from the instruments started in 5th grade. Private lessons are highly recommended, and more practice is required to learn the new instrument as well as continuing to grow in their original instrument.

The scholarship brass instruments are tuba or French horn, which are both natural switches from trumpet, trombone or baritone.

The scholarship instruments for woodwinds are oboe and bassoon. All woodwind fingering systems are related and have logical crossovers.

Former student Snow C. holds the record for most instruments played. By their 8th grade year, they performed on: piano, drums and sax in Jazz Band; flute (their first instrument), bassoon, and oboe in concert band. They also played mallet and other percussion instruments in the Percussion Ensemble.
 

To aid in a specific instrument focus, students are encouraged to participate in specific small groups (clarinet, brass, percussion, etc.). Supplementary instructors help lead these groups and aid in practice and a focus on technique.