MUSIC / BAND

The Westmount band program provides opportunities from beginner to advanced levels of performance.  Student placement in the band program is determined through audition. All Band students are required to rent/purchase their instrument and supplies, and purchase their method book and workbook.  Students are also required to own the Band uniform, appropriate to their Band membership (orders are placed in late September).  A complete list of materials is distributed to registered students, or upon request.

High School students are eligible to earn 5 credits in each of their grade 10, 11 and 12 years under the course title, “Instrumental Music 10/20/30”  and marks will be submitted under this name at the completion of the school year.

Intermediate Band (Level III)
Pre-requisite:  Junior Band or 2 years of experience on instrument
This course is for students with at least 2 years of experience on their instrument, and previous experience playing in a Concert Band.  Study is more in-depth than in Junior Band and requires strong commitment to a regular practice routine.  Double bass is introduced at this level.

Senior Band (Level IV)
Pre-requisite:  Intermediate Band and Audition
Senior Band is designed for the most experienced and advanced band students.  Students must perform an audition before acceptance into the Senior Band, with emphasis placed on musicianship.

String Orchestra II
Pre-requisite:  String Orchestra I or one year of experience
Ensemble performance group for students with experience playing violin, viola, cello or double bass.  Students should have at least one year of experience playing their string instrument.  Open to Grades 6-12.  The school owns cellos and basses in limited numbers for students to play in rehearsals.  Violinists and violists are required to bring their own instrument for rehearsals

Jazz Band (Extra-curricular)
Junior/Senior Concert Band membership is mandatory for acceptance into one of the Jazz Bands.  Rehearsals are after school, once a week (Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday).  Instrumentation is limited to alto sax, tenor sax, bari sax, trumpet, trombone, piano, bass, drums, and guitar.

Stage Band (Extra-curricular)
Junior/Senior Concert Band membership is mandatory for acceptance into one of the Stage Bands.  Music is similar to the Jazz Bands, but instrumentation is open to any Concert Band instrument.  Stage Bands are not performance-based.  Rehearsals are after school, once a week (Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday).