Concert Band
The Grosse Pointe South High School Concert Band, including mostly freshmen and sophomores, performs regularly throughout the school year at band and orchestra concerts such as Pops & Pastries, Band-O-Rama, Spring Concert, and North/South Outdoor Concert. The Concert Band also combines with Symphony Band and Orchestra to perform at Commencement ceremonies each June. The Concert Band has performed at MSBOA Band Festivals and the Toronto Festival of Music (2005). Concert Band members have also established a tradition of excellence at MSBOA Solo & Ensemble Festival.

Concert Orchestra
Concert Orchestra meets the needs of students who have not yet mastered the skills necessary for Symphony Orchestra.

Participation in the instructional class of the Concert Orchestra is limited to members of the string section: violin, viola, cello, string bass, and harp.

Special attention is given to individual tuning, proper bow usage, tone production, rhythm, and other musical skills. Participation in rehearsals, sectionals and performances outside of class will be required as part of the student’s grade.

Students enrolled in Orchestra will be expected to participate in Full Orchestra.

Some uniform fees/costs will be requested.

Full Orchestra
Woodwind, brass and percussion players will be auditioned for Full Orchestra. Full Orchestra rehearsals will be held before school on a regular basis.

Jazz Band
The Grosse Pointe South Jazz Band has performed to outstanding reviews at local, state, and national levels. A co-curricular ensemble that meets every Monday evening, the Jazz Band performs at school band and orchestra concerts, community events, and state and national jazz festivals. The Jazz Band is also featured annually at the Grosse Pointe South Choirs’ “Fall Follies”. The Jazz Band has earned Superior and Excellent ratings at MSBOA State Jazz Festivals as well as at music festivals in Toronto and Chicago. The ensemble has performed at invitational festivals at University of Michigan and Wayne State University. In 2005, as a result of their First Division performance at MSBOA Jazz Festival, the Jazz Band was one of only 15 school jazz ensembles invited to perform at the prestigious Detroit International Jazz Festival in Hart Plaza.

Jazztet
The Grosse Pointe South Jazztet has performed to great acclaim and established a reputation as one of the best school jazz combos in the state. A small ensemble (usually a quartet or quintet) made up of Jazz Band members, the Jazztet is a co-curricular ensemble that performs regularly throughout the year at school concerts, community events, and jazz festivals. The Jazztet consistently earns Superior and Excellent ratings at MSBOA State Jazz Festival. In 2004 the Jazztet was named “Best Jazz Combo” at the University of Michigan Jazz Festival and later that year was one of only 5 combos nominated for Michigan Youth Arts Festival.

Pep Band
The Blue Devil Pep Band provides musical excitement and spirit to school athletic events, community functions, and concerts. The Pep Band performs at Varsity Football and Basketball games, as well as other school sporting events. A mainstay at annual Homecoming festivities, the Pep Band performs at the Homecoming assembly, parade, and game. The Pep Band has also performed at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundations “Walk For The Cure” in September, at Grosse Pointe Park’s “Halloween In The Park”, and the Lions’ Club “Jingle Bell Walk/Run”. The Blue Devil Pep Band has also been featured at several band and orchestra concerts, including the annual Pops & Pastries and Band-O-Rama programs.

Symphony Band
The Grosse Pointe South High School Symphony Band maintains a long tradition of musical excellence and a reputation for high performance standards that extends to state and national levels.

An audition-only ensemble, the Symphony Band performs regularly throughout the school year at band and orchestra concerts such as Pops & Pastries, Band-O-Rama, Spring Concert, and North/South Outdoor Concert. The Symphony Band has also received Superior and Excellent ratings at MSBOA Band Festivals, and has performed at national festivals in Toronto, Chicago, Orlando, and New York. In 2001, the Symphony Band earned First Place with a Superior rating and the William D. Revelli Award for Best Overall Band at the Toronto Festival of Music. In 2006, the band earned First Place with a Superior rating and the “Adjudicators’ Award” for an exceptionally high score at the New York Heritage Festival of Music.

Symphony Band musicians work with professional musicians and educators in clinics and master classes during the school year, and have performed under guest conductors including Douglas Bianchi, Russell Reed, Jack Pierson, and William Gourley.

Symphony Orchestra
Participation in the instructional class of the Symphony Orchestra is limited to members of the string section: violin, viola, cello, string bass, and harp.

The Symphony Orchestra studies and performs fine orchestra music from all major periods of
music history.

Participation in rehearsals, sectionals and performances outside of class will be required as part of the student’s grade.

Students enrolled in Orchestra will be expected to participate in Full Orchestra.

Some uniform fees/costs will be requested.

Tri M
What is Tri-M?

Tri –M is a national honor society that recognizes outstanding high school musicians. Tri-M itself is an abbreviation of Modern Music Masters. Tri-M members have opportunities to participate in Tri-M recitals and service projects. Grosse Pointe South sponsors Chapter 405.

Who is eligible for membership?

Students in choir, band, and orchestra can apply for membership after they have accumulated sufficient points. Students in music technology, music composition, and music theory may likewise apply if their courses cover a full year and they have earned sufficient points.

How does a student accumulate points?

A point listing is included below. Points are earned at the end of a given school year, so students should tally experiences in the prior three academic years.

Band and orchestra students need 175 points to be considered. (Note: Band/Orchestra Festivals refer to participation in MSBOA Band/Orchestra adjudications in addition to adjudications at Disneyland, etc.)

My child has enough points for consideration: What’s next?

Your child needs to fill an application form available from the music directors. It asks students to list music activities beyond the classroom. The directors consider music activities, overall GPA, music class GPA, as well as the attitude, conduct, and work habits of the applicants. Successful applicants are then required to perform a solo.

Students should select a classical piece of music, or in some cases, a jazz piece, that is at least two minutes in length. The music directors will lpost an audition schedule.

When are Tri-M students inducted?

The induction ceremony date will be announced.

Tri-M Point Schedule:

Band/Orchestra Activity Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11Band/Orchestra Membership (50/yr)

Pep Band (25/yr)

Jazz Band (25/yr)

Full Orchestra (25/yr) – orchestra students not
eligible

Pit Orchestra (25/show)

Other School Ensembles (15/yr) name:

MSBOA District 16 Solo &Ensemble Festival (10)

MSBOA State Solo &Ensemble Festival (15)

All-State Band/Orchestra (25)

Band/Orchestra Festival (20) each: Name:

Summer Music Study (15) name:

Private Lessons (10) private teacher:

Band/Orchestra Officer (15/yr)

Extracurricular Ensemble Officer (10/yr)

Section Leader/Principal Chair (5/yr)

Librarian/Equipment Manager (10/yr)

Fundraiser Participation (5/event) name:

Outstanding Band/Orchestra Service (director awards points)