Band

The Desert Oasis High School Band program offers a comprehensive and dynamic musical education designed to foster talent, teamwork, and artistic growth at every skill level. From foundational techniques to elite performance ensembles, the program provides a structured pathway for students to excel musically and creatively.

The curriculum features a diverse lineup of specialized courses tailored to students' unique musical interests and development:

Concert Ensembles: Students build their core musicality through a sequential path of Beginning Band, Intermediate Band, and Advanced Band, focusing on technical mastery, sight-reading, and expressive ensemble playing.
Jazz Studies: Emerging and experienced musicians can explore America's classical music in either the Intermediate Jazz Band or the Advanced Jazz Band, diving deep into style, improvisation, and jazz theory.
Percussion Specialist Courses: Rhythm-focused students refine their skills in Percussion Ensemble I and Percussion Ensemble II, mastering a wide array of battery and mallet instruments.
Visual & Field Performance: The program showcases its high-energy spirit through the Marching Band on the football field and at competitions, complemented by the stunning choreography and athleticism of Rhythmic Precision – Color Guard.

Together, these courses form a vibrant musical community at Desert Oasis High School, preparing students for lifelong musical enjoyment and artistic excellence.

Desert Oasis Band Website on Performance and Student Forms

Beginning Band

This one-year course is designed for any high school student who desires to develop the ability to play a wind or percussion instrument. The course involves applying the basic fundamentals of music reading to the particular technique of the instrument being studied. This course is considered a preparatory course for progression into Intermediate and Advanced Band. This course may be repeated for credit. This course will fulfill either one of the elective or Arts/Humanities credit.

Intermediate Band (Symphonic Band)

This one-year course is designed for students who have successfully completed the skills required in beginning band. The course involves applying both basic and intermediate fundamentals of music reading and the specific performance techniques of the instrument being studied. Instructional practices incorporate integration of diversity awareness including appreciation of all cultures and their important contributions to society. The appropriate use of technology is an integral part of this course. This course fulfills either one elective or Arts/Humanities credit required for graduation; repeatable.

Advanced Band (Wind Ensemble)

This one-year course is designed for students who have successfully mastered intermediate band skills. The course involves applying both intermediate and advanced fundamentals of music reading and the specific performance techniques of the instrument being studied. Instructional practices incorporate integration of diversity awareness including appreciation of all cultures and their contributions to society. The appropriate use of technology is an integral part of this course. This course fulfills either one elective or Arts/Humanities credit required for graduation; repeatable.

Marching Band

This one semester course is designed for students already participating in the concert band program. Marching band emphasizes both musical skills and the awareness of movement within time and space. Instructional practices incorporate integration of diversity awareness including appreciation of all cultures and their important contributions to society. The appropriate use of technology is an integral part of this course. This course fulfills either one half of one elective credit or one half of one Arts/Humanities credit required for high school graduation; repeatable. Members must purchase marching band accessories including but not limited to shoes, sticks, jackets, and shirts.

Jazz Band (Intermediate)

This one-year course is designed to introduce the instrumental music student to historical and contemporary jazz band literature and techniques. Students receive direction in solving interpretation problems and are given an opportunity to experiment in the area of improvisation. Instructional practices incorporate integration of diversity awareness including appreciation of all cultures and their contributions to society. The appropriate use of technology is an integral part of this course. This course fulfills either one elective or Arts/Humanities credit required for graduation; repeatable.

Jazz Band (Advanced)

This one-year course is designed for students who have successfully demonstrated mastery of intermediate jazz skills and techniques. Areas of emphasis include jazz interpretation and exploration of advanced improvisation and composition techniques. Instructional practices incorporate integration of diversity awareness including appreciation of all cultures and their important contributions to society. The appropriate use of technology is an integral part of this course. This course fulfills either one elective credit or Arts/Humanities credit required for graduation; repeatable.

Percussion Ensemble I

This one-year course is designed for students who have a desire to learn to play percussion instruments. This introductory course will include guidance and direction in solving psychomotor problems related to percussion instruments and the techniques for executing tone, rhythmic patterns, and dynamic levels. The importance of sustained effort and practice is stressed for technical proficiency. Instructional practices incorporate integration of diversity awareness including appreciation of all cultures and their important contributions to society. The appropriate use of technology is an integral part of this course. This course fulfills either one of the elective credits or Arts/Humanities/CTE credit required for graduation and may be repeated.

Percussion Ensemble II

This one-year course is designed for students who have experience playing percussion instruments or have completed Percussion Ensemble I. Students will develop advanced techniques of performance, notation reading, and musicality using a wide variety of percussion instruments and musical styles. Students will develop techniques for playing all percussion instruments in a variety of musical settings including marching band, concert band, jazz band, small ensembles, and indoor drum line. Instructional practices incorporate integration of diversity awareness including appreciation of all cultures and their important contributions to society. The appropriate use of technology is an integral part of this course. This course fulfills either one of the elective credits or the Arts/Humanities/CTE credit required for high school graduation and may be repeated.

Rhythmic Precision (Color Guard)

This one-year course considers the physical, mental, social, and emotional development of the individual in a performance-oriented program. It provides students with experiences in physical conditioning, fundamentals of movement, performance skills, and leadership techniques while emphasizing responsibility and self-discipline. This course, which may be repeated, could include members of performing groups, such as cheerleaders, song leaders, flag twirlers, drill teams, and dance teams. This course will fulfill one of the elective credits required for graduation. This course performs in out-of-school performances, concerts, and festivals. Students will earn a waiver for Physical Education II upon successful completion of Rhythmic Precision.

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