*This page is currently outdated and/or being updated. Please check back soon for more updated information! (as of 11/11/22)
"Establishing Tradition Through the Pursuit of Excellence."
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Reasons to Continue with Band at Fossil Ridge High School❏ Membership in the largest award-winning, nationally renowned organization on campus and in PSD!
❏ Likelihood of academic success - the Band maintains one of the highest Grade Point Averages for any group on campus at 3.55! Music students also outperform their non-music peers on standardized tests like the ACT and SAT! ❏ The College Board, in a publication about college admissions, states, "preparation and involvement in the arts have proven to be extremely valuable to college entrants whatever their intended field of study." ❏ College admissions officers continue to cite participation in music as an important factor in making admissions decisions. They claim that music participation demonstrates time management, creatively, expression, and open-mindedness. ❏ Science all but confirms that humans are hardwired to respond to music. Performing music is a vital part of the human experience! ❏ Band provides students with an identity, a place to belong, and a place to be accepted by their peers. New members experience positive camaraderie and support from their older peers. ❏ Creating music together builds a positive social network that promotes academic prowess, self-discipline, creativity, teamwork, peer interaction, and leadership. ❏ The summer marching activities familiarize new members with the school campus prior to the first day of school. ❏ The evaluative process (public performances) of presenting prepared music provides members with opportunities for skilled preparation and a platform for accountability. |
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Do I have to audition to participate in Band at FRHS?
A: An audition is not required. All incoming freshman students will enroll in Concert Band, which is a non-auditioned ensemble. Students who would like to be considered for placement into Symphonic Band or Wind Symphony may elect to record and submit an ensemble audition.
Q: Is participation in the Marching Band required?
A: NO! All FRHS Band students are highly encouraged to participate with the award-winning Fossil Ridge Marching Band during the fall semester, but it is not a requirement. Marching Band is an extracurricular club that meets outside of the school day.
Q: I want to participate in Band, but I also want to participate in sports. Can I do both?
A: Yes! We pride ourselves on supporting students that are multi-talented in music, academics, and athletics. Sports do not conflict with concert band classes that occur during the school day. Extracurricular ensembles (i.e. marching band, jazz band) have rehearsal schedules that may overlap with sports schedules. We will work with students who wish to participate in both fall marching band and a fall sport in order to agree on a schedule that allows them to participate in both activities. Students and families who wish to explore this option should contact Mr. Herman and Mrs. Peterson.
Q: Does Marching Band require time outside of school and/or what does the Marching Band schedule look like?
A: Yes. We will host a small mini-camp in May to help introduce students to marching band. The marching band season formally begins with band camp, which is held the last week of July and first week of August. Once school begins, the Marching Band and Color Guard rehearses three times per week outside of the school day. The Marching Band performs at FRHS home football games, as well as several band contests held throughout the state. Contest dates are typically held on Saturdays in September, October, and November. Our season concludes during the first week of November.
Q: I did not participate in band in middle school. Can I join band at FRHS?
A: Yes! There are several pathways for students with no prior music experience to participate in our program. Students wishing to learn a band instrument may contact Mr. Herman and Mrs. Peterson for approval and to explore options, with the understanding that this may require a financial commitment (renting an instrument) and other steps ensure the student can be successful at the high school level. Our Color Guard program is the visual component of the marching band that combines dance, movement, flags, and other equipment. No prior experience is needed to join Color Guard, and it is open to all high school students.
Q: I’m concerned about my grades and how much time Band takes…what should I do?
A: Join Band! Students in Band consistently have some of the highest GPAs in the entire school, and the Band as a whole has an average GPA of 3.55, compared to the district average GPA of only 2.94! The life skills learned through music also teach students skills of time management, and we actively work with our band students to support their academic success.
Q: I plan to take a number of AP courses in high school...can I still fit Band into my schedule?
A: Absolutely! The vast majority of Band students complete several AP courses throughout their high school career. In fact, most report that their participation in Band is an extremely important component of their overall course-load, and the multiple sections offered of most AP classes make continued participation in Band a reality. Please refer to our four-year course plan document for many examples of how to easily fit band into your schedule with room for many other course selections.
Q: Can I also play in a jazz ensemble?
A: YES! Fossil Ridge has two outstanding Jazz Ensembles. Jazz Ensemble I is open to grades 10–12, while Jazz Ensemble II is also open to grades 9–12. All Jazz students must be enrolled in a regular Band class. Both Jazz Ensembles are for-credit courses that meet twice per week after-school, from November through May. Because these ensembles are extra-curricular, students may earn elective credit for jazz without taking up additional room in their course schedule. Students are encouraged to participate in jazz ensembles, even if they do not play an instrument traditionally associated with jazz bands (i.e. flute, clarinet, horn, tuba).
Q: What is Music Production?
A: Fossil Ridge has a music production lab with 16 stations of music production equipment as well as a state of the art recording studio. Students have the option to take music production with Mrs. Peterson. Students learn the various aspects of music and digital media production including live sound reinforcement and mixing, digital editing, multi-track recording, MIDI sequencing, music notation, and studio editing. Students will apply the tools of technology and the language of music to create original musical and multimedia works.
Q: I have a question that was not answered here. What should I do?
A: Contact Mr. Herman and Mrs. Peterson directly via email, and we will be happy to assist you, or set up a meeting time. The directors can be reached at aaronh@psdschools.org (Mr. Herman) and hannahp@psdschools.org (Mrs. Peterson).
A: An audition is not required. All incoming freshman students will enroll in Concert Band, which is a non-auditioned ensemble. Students who would like to be considered for placement into Symphonic Band or Wind Symphony may elect to record and submit an ensemble audition.
Q: Is participation in the Marching Band required?
A: NO! All FRHS Band students are highly encouraged to participate with the award-winning Fossil Ridge Marching Band during the fall semester, but it is not a requirement. Marching Band is an extracurricular club that meets outside of the school day.
Q: I want to participate in Band, but I also want to participate in sports. Can I do both?
A: Yes! We pride ourselves on supporting students that are multi-talented in music, academics, and athletics. Sports do not conflict with concert band classes that occur during the school day. Extracurricular ensembles (i.e. marching band, jazz band) have rehearsal schedules that may overlap with sports schedules. We will work with students who wish to participate in both fall marching band and a fall sport in order to agree on a schedule that allows them to participate in both activities. Students and families who wish to explore this option should contact Mr. Herman and Mrs. Peterson.
Q: Does Marching Band require time outside of school and/or what does the Marching Band schedule look like?
A: Yes. We will host a small mini-camp in May to help introduce students to marching band. The marching band season formally begins with band camp, which is held the last week of July and first week of August. Once school begins, the Marching Band and Color Guard rehearses three times per week outside of the school day. The Marching Band performs at FRHS home football games, as well as several band contests held throughout the state. Contest dates are typically held on Saturdays in September, October, and November. Our season concludes during the first week of November.
Q: I did not participate in band in middle school. Can I join band at FRHS?
A: Yes! There are several pathways for students with no prior music experience to participate in our program. Students wishing to learn a band instrument may contact Mr. Herman and Mrs. Peterson for approval and to explore options, with the understanding that this may require a financial commitment (renting an instrument) and other steps ensure the student can be successful at the high school level. Our Color Guard program is the visual component of the marching band that combines dance, movement, flags, and other equipment. No prior experience is needed to join Color Guard, and it is open to all high school students.
Q: I’m concerned about my grades and how much time Band takes…what should I do?
A: Join Band! Students in Band consistently have some of the highest GPAs in the entire school, and the Band as a whole has an average GPA of 3.55, compared to the district average GPA of only 2.94! The life skills learned through music also teach students skills of time management, and we actively work with our band students to support their academic success.
Q: I plan to take a number of AP courses in high school...can I still fit Band into my schedule?
A: Absolutely! The vast majority of Band students complete several AP courses throughout their high school career. In fact, most report that their participation in Band is an extremely important component of their overall course-load, and the multiple sections offered of most AP classes make continued participation in Band a reality. Please refer to our four-year course plan document for many examples of how to easily fit band into your schedule with room for many other course selections.
Q: Can I also play in a jazz ensemble?
A: YES! Fossil Ridge has two outstanding Jazz Ensembles. Jazz Ensemble I is open to grades 10–12, while Jazz Ensemble II is also open to grades 9–12. All Jazz students must be enrolled in a regular Band class. Both Jazz Ensembles are for-credit courses that meet twice per week after-school, from November through May. Because these ensembles are extra-curricular, students may earn elective credit for jazz without taking up additional room in their course schedule. Students are encouraged to participate in jazz ensembles, even if they do not play an instrument traditionally associated with jazz bands (i.e. flute, clarinet, horn, tuba).
Q: What is Music Production?
A: Fossil Ridge has a music production lab with 16 stations of music production equipment as well as a state of the art recording studio. Students have the option to take music production with Mrs. Peterson. Students learn the various aspects of music and digital media production including live sound reinforcement and mixing, digital editing, multi-track recording, MIDI sequencing, music notation, and studio editing. Students will apply the tools of technology and the language of music to create original musical and multimedia works.
Q: I have a question that was not answered here. What should I do?
A: Contact Mr. Herman and Mrs. Peterson directly via email, and we will be happy to assist you, or set up a meeting time. The directors can be reached at aaronh@psdschools.org (Mr. Herman) and hannahp@psdschools.org (Mrs. Peterson).
IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO SIGN UP!
Do you know of fellow students who should be a part of our incredible FRHS Band Program? If yes, DIRECT THEM OUR WAY!
Students do not need to play a traditional Band instrument.
We will teach new members everything they need to know!
Potential members need only reach out to the Band Directors
and/or student Band Members!
It's never too late to join AND, the more the merrier!
Students do not need to play a traditional Band instrument.
We will teach new members everything they need to know!
Potential members need only reach out to the Band Directors
and/or student Band Members!
It's never too late to join AND, the more the merrier!
Earn a PE Credit Waiver through Marching Band participation:
At FRHS, all students who participate in the Marching Band are eligible to earn a one-time, 2.5 Physical Education credit waiver.
This allows Band students the opportunity to meet their
PE requirements through participation in Band!!
At FRHS, all students who participate in the Marching Band are eligible to earn a one-time, 2.5 Physical Education credit waiver.
This allows Band students the opportunity to meet their
PE requirements through participation in Band!!
