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Ensembles and Important Course Information
Instrumental Music Ensembles | Festivals | Concerts | Lab Fees | Uniforms | Marching Bands
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2008-2009 Instrumental Music Ensembles
Each Winds & Percussion and Strings course forms an ensemble. All ensembles beyond Advanced Band and Concert Orchestra are available by audition only.
MCPS Courses: A complete description of each of the courses offered by MCPS at Walt Whitman High School is provided through this link.
Grade |
Winds & Percussion |
9, 10, 11, 12 |
Concert Band is available for all students with a recommendation from their middle school music instructor, or by permission of the Whitman music faculty. Expected to perform Grade III/IV music.
Symphonic Band is available for all students by audition. Expected to perform Grade IV/V music. |
10, 11, 12 |
Wind Ensemble/ Symphonic Orchestra/Chamber Groups . The Wind Ensemble is available for 10 th to 12 th grade students by audition. Students in the Wind Ensemble will also participate in either the Symphonic Orchestra or Chamber Music Groups during the same class period. Expected to perform Grade VI music.
Jazz Ensemble is available for all students by audition. Expected to perform Grade VI music. |
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Grade |
Strings |
9, 10, 11, 12 |
Concert Orchestra . Expected to perform Grade III/IV music.
Symphonic Orchestra/String Orchestra. Strings students in the Symphonic Orchestra will also participate in the String Orchestra during the same class period. Expected to perform Grade VI music. |
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Grade |
Other Instrumental Courses
(See complete descriptions in Whitman Course Catalogue.)
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Any |
Piano |
Any |
Intermediate Piano |
Any |
Guitar |
Any |
Electronic Music |
Any |
Music Theory & Composition |
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Festivals
Because each of the instrumental ensembles are performing groups, two or three major concert appearances are planned each year for parents, siblings, staff, and other students. New in 2008, the Symphonic Orchestra, String Orchestra, Wind Ensemble and chamber groups will host a fall concert. Each winter, a concert is held before the holiday break. All large ensembles participate, each performing two or three selections.
The other major appearance for the ensembles is during the Walt Whitman Festival of the Arts, which is typically held in mid-May. This concert is very different than the winter concert as it is usually held in the school cafeteria over two nights with instrumental and choral groups sharing the stage. The larger Whitman community attends the Festival and people tend to come and go from the concert to the visual arts venues in a very casual atmosphere.
Because of its small size, the jazz ensemble typically hosts two concerts at the Brookmont Community Church annually, one in October and one in April or May. That concert is very well-received by the community and is generally a standing-room only event.
The list of festivals that are planned for the current school year can be found on the Calendar page.
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Concerts
Because each of the instrumental ensembles are performing groups, two or three major concert appearances are planned each year for parents, siblings, staff, and other students. New for the 2008-2009 school year, the Symphonic Orchestra, String Orchestra, Wind Ensemble and chamber groups will host a fall concert. Each winter, a concert is held before the holiday break. All large ensembles participate, each performing two or three selections.
The other major appearance for the ensembles is during the Walt Whitman Festival of the Arts, which is typically held in mid-May. This concert is very different than the winter concert as it is usually held in the school cafeteria over two nights with instrumental and choral groups sharing the stage. The larger Whitman community attends the Festival and people tend to come and go from the concert to the visual arts venues in a very casual atmosphere.
Because of its small size, the jazz ensemble typically hosts two concerts at the Brookmont Community Church annually, one in October and one in April or May. That concert is very well-received by the community and is generally a standing-room only event.
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Instrumental Music Lab Fee
In accordance with MCPS policy, the Whitman Instrumental Music Department charges a lab fee of $80 annually ($40 per semester), except for non-performance-based instrumental music classes. It is separate from the County extracurricular activity fee. In addition, to simplify the collection of funds, the department also charges an annual fee of $35 to cover all local field trips to county and state festivals and other performance venues.
The lab fee covers a major part of the instrumental music program’s $30,000 budget and eliminates many hours of intense volunteer fundraising. The fee helps pay for festival fees, sheet music, instrument purchase and repair, clinics, uniforms, printing of the Music Boosters newsletter, and the annual awards banquet. It also helps cover the cost of recording and producing a Whitman instrumental CD each year. A complimentary copy is given to each student in the program.
The fee is due in September of each school year. Men’s tuxedo uniforms will not be issued to a student until his lab fee has been paid. If the fee poses a financial hardship, forbearance is available by speaking with Mr. Allen or Ms. Alvey.
Click this link to get a copy of the Music Lab Fee Form.
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Uniforms
Students will be fitted for uniforms during class early in the fall semester.
Dress requirements for marching band performances are different from concert uniforms and are described below under Marching Bands.
Dress requirements for concerts:
Concert Band
• White dress shirt and dark tie for male students
• Black dress pants or skirt
• Black dress shoes and black socks
Concert Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Symphonic Orchestra, Wind Ensemble
and Jazz Ensemble
Male students:
Provided by the school:
• Black tuxedos
Provided by the student:
• White tuxedo shirt, with pleated front and wing-tip collar
• Black tuxedo bow tie
• Black dress shoes
Female students:
Provided by the student:
• Black dress and jacket ensemble (purchased through the school for approximately $110)
• Black dress shoes
At the end of the school year:
Male students must return their tuxedos to the music room. Seniors and other students not playing at graduation should return their uniforms following Festival of the Arts. Students playing in the graduation ceremonies will return their uniforms after graduation. Uniforms must be turned in or final grades will be withheld.
If there are any questions about uniforms, please call this year’s volunteer uniform coordinator.
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Marching Bands
During the football season, each of the band classes becomes a marching band for one or two home football games. Each student in advanced band, concert band and symphonic band is required to participate (march) in the home football games as designated by the instrumental music instructors. Student conductors are selected at the end of the school year from the rising senior class for the following year's pep band and marching bands.
Uniforms for Marching Bands:
Provided by the school:
• Black tee shirts and/or Instrumental Music Jackets
Provided by the student:
• Khaki slacks (no jeans)
• Black shoes and socks
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