MCHS CONCERT BAND
The oldest instrumental ensemble at Mariposa County High School, the Grizzly Concert-Band also holds the distinction of having achieved one of Music's highest accolades--the Grammy Award. First established in the 1930s, the concert band has set a standard for excellence rarely equaled by a high school group. With the past contributions of legendary directors Richard and Rod Fiester, Bruce Williams and many others, the group reached national prominence under Dr. Smith in 2011 when it received the Grammy Signature School's Enterprise Award. The group has also received Forum Music Festival's Gold Award twice, as well as a silver award, and was fourth-place overall at the "Judges Invitational" event at Anaheim/Disneyland. The 2013 concert band received a silver medal at the prestigious International "Heritage" Music Festival.
Concert band is the primary focus of second-semester. All members enrolled in the class perform in the ensemble. Music includes orchestral transcriptions (primarily for festival performances), concert band literature, arrangements from Broadway musicals, and a wide variety of contemporary selections. In addition to the annual Festival competition, the concert band also performs at the spring concert in the Fiester Auditorium, the music marathon and other community, school and civic functions. Some of the works performed by the band have included: Holst's "Mars" from "The Planets Suite"; arrangements of music from the Beatles and Andrew Lloyd Webber; "Swan Lake", Tchaikovsky's masterpiece; and works by many others including Mendelsohn, Borodin, Dvorak and of course, Dr. Smith.
In addition to rehearsals that take place during the class period, the concert band (as does the marching band) practices once a week after school. In addition to full-group practices, section and group rehearsals occur year-round. Music performance, theory, and history are all part of the Grizzly Band experience, as are individual goals and team-work that are required for a successful program.
Talent and skill are important parts of being a member, as are dedication and commitment. Pride in the history and accomplishments of the group, and commitment to the goals are what make the Grizzly Band different from other groups. The Grizzly Concert Band is noted for performing high degree of difficulty music and technically challenging selections. We take pride in our performances!
Concert band is the primary focus of second-semester. All members enrolled in the class perform in the ensemble. Music includes orchestral transcriptions (primarily for festival performances), concert band literature, arrangements from Broadway musicals, and a wide variety of contemporary selections. In addition to the annual Festival competition, the concert band also performs at the spring concert in the Fiester Auditorium, the music marathon and other community, school and civic functions. Some of the works performed by the band have included: Holst's "Mars" from "The Planets Suite"; arrangements of music from the Beatles and Andrew Lloyd Webber; "Swan Lake", Tchaikovsky's masterpiece; and works by many others including Mendelsohn, Borodin, Dvorak and of course, Dr. Smith.
In addition to rehearsals that take place during the class period, the concert band (as does the marching band) practices once a week after school. In addition to full-group practices, section and group rehearsals occur year-round. Music performance, theory, and history are all part of the Grizzly Band experience, as are individual goals and team-work that are required for a successful program.
Talent and skill are important parts of being a member, as are dedication and commitment. Pride in the history and accomplishments of the group, and commitment to the goals are what make the Grizzly Band different from other groups. The Grizzly Concert Band is noted for performing high degree of difficulty music and technically challenging selections. We take pride in our performances!
