The SBHS concert bands encompass four concert ensembles each meeting during the school day. Placement into these ensembles is determined by auditions held each spring.
Wind Ensemble The SBHS Wind Ensemble is the flagship ensemble of the band program. The wind ensemble represents the highest level of artistry and technical excellence for winds and percussion. Each year, this group presents performances around the South Brunswick Community, is active in the CJMEA festival circuit, is a regular performer in the Metropolitan Wind Band Festival, and has previously been invited to the Music for All National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The wind ensemble is open to students in grades 10-12 after completing a successful audition. The wind ensemble is a college weighting/AP Equivalent weighted course at SBHS. Students should expect to attend one Monday evening rehearsal per month in addition to a variety of additional performance trips. It is recommended that students in the wind ensemble seek out private instrument study to prepare and progress as advanced musicians.
Sample Repertoire from Previous Concerts: Dancing on Water (Frank Ticheli) Overture to an Italian in Algiers (Rossini tr. Cailliet) Scenes from the Louvre (Norman Dello Joio) Chester Overture for Band (William Shumann) October (Eric Whitacre)
Symphonic Winds The SBHS Symphonic Winds is an audition-based honors ensemble representing advanced musicians in grades 9-12. The Symphonic Winds is only available to students after a successful audition and represents the highest level of performance excellence with an emphasis on student growth. The symphonic winds captures our most advanced ninth grade students and advancing upperclassmen. The Symphonic Winds is an honors weighted course at SBHS and students are expected to spend time outside of their classwork to hone musicianship by practicing regularly. Students are also encouraged to seek out private study on their instruments as advancing wind musicians.
Sample Repertoire from Previous Concerts Illumination (David Maslanka) Chant and Jubilo (W. Francis McBeth) Shenandoah (Omar Thomas) Salt March (Aakash Mittal) All My Heart (Michael Markowski) [SBHS premier as part of a commission consortium]
Concert Band SBHS includes two concert bands open to all students who play wind and percussion instruments. The concert bands are designed to give musicians performance experiences of the highest caliber while maintaining appropriate rigor for a high school concert band. These band perform at the annual band concerts and are unweighted courses at SBHS.
Sample Repertoire from Previous Concerts: West Highlands Sojourn (Robert Sheldon) Three Ayres from Gloucester (High M. Stuart) Resplendent Light (Tyler S. Grant) Chasing Sunlight (Cait Nishimura) Rocketship! (Kevin Day)
Clinicians: The SBHS Concert Bands are proud to regularly welcome in teachers and conductors that represent the highest caliber in our field. Thank you to our many excellent clinicians who have worked with the SBHS bands over the past few years!
Bruce Yurko (Composer, Rowan University) Mark Kraft (Director Emeritus, South Brunswick High School) Dr. Eric Laprade (Director of Bands, The College of New Jersey) Dr. Todd Nichols (Associate Director of Bands, Rutgers University/Artistic Director, The Eastern Wind Symphony) Dr. Julia Baumanis (Assistant Director of Bands, Rutgers University) Dr. Adam Gumble (Director of Athletic Bands, West Chester University of PA) Dr. Andrew Yozviak (Director of Bands, West Chester University of PA) Dr. James Colonna (Direcor of Bands, Messian University) John Leonard (Assistant Director of Athletic Bands, University of Minnessota) Carol Brittin Chambers (Composer)