Band & Chorus
The GA Band Program
Guardian Angels is proud to have the longest running band program within the Archdiocese.
5th Grade: Students in the 5th grade may take Beginning Band to fulfill their music requirement. There are rarely after school band practices, if any. Beginning Band performs at the Christmas Concert and at the Spring Concert.
6th Grade: Students in 6th Grade may also take band to fulfill the music requirement. All Black Dress Clothes are required starting in the 6th grade when they perform at the Christmas Concert and at the Spring Concert.
7th and 8th Grade: Students in 7th Grade and 8th Grade may also take band and these two groups work on more challenging music and they have more performance opportunities
GA Band: All band members will be encouraged to pass the five-part playing test to become a member of GA Band which meets after school on Tuesdays. This includes some of the top musicians at our school. This group has additional performance opportunities such as pep band at sporting events and more concerts. After 5th grade, all band students are able to participate in the group.
Jazz Band: After school on Thursdays, the Jazz Band meets. This group has performed at the OMEA Conferences and performs throughout the area, as well as at the Christmas Concert and Spring Concert. Students have the opportunity to learn jazz techniques and how to improvise, and will develop their musical skills as a result. This group generally does not require an audition.
Junior High band students are eligible for participation in the following junior high activities: OMEA, District 14 Junior High Honor Band, Land of Grant Honor Band, Junior High Solo and Ensemble Competition, Large Group Competition, and the Cincinnati Junior Youth Wind Ensemble. Eighth grade students are eligible to audition for music scholarships offered at McNicholas High School.
The 5-Part GA Band Test: Any student from any grade who has completed 5th grade band is eligible to take the GA Band test. There are 5 parts (songs) to this test, and students usually pass them one at a time or do it all at once. Musicians who pass all 5 parts of this test will be promoted to the GA Band and asked to meet afterschool on Tuesdays with the band. Students accepted into the group will perform with the GA Band and their grade level band in concerts.
Private Instruction Private instruction is HIGHLY recommended, but not required. The more you learn the more fun it is to play your instrument! A list of lesson teachers will be compiled and shared with families, but in the meantime, some great places to look at are:
Anderson Music Workshop 513.800.2052 www.andersonmusicworkshop.com
Third Rock Music Center 513.843.5739 www.thirdrockmusiccenter.com
A Final Note Being in band is rewarding and fun! The goal is to help your child become as good a musician as he/she can be in a comfortable, safe environment. Parents can help by participating in GA Music Boosters. If we all pull together we can continue to build on the quality of our award-winning band program.
Chorus