Repertory Band

The CCHS Repertory Band is a traditional large concert band with the standard woodwinds, brass and percussion format. It rehearses four times per week during the regularly scheduled school day, and occasionally in the evenings, as the need arises. The band is a graded course and earns credit towards graduation. Mr. Dentino is its conductor.

Any Concord-Carlisle student who plays a band instrument is eligible for participation in the Repertory Band — there is no entry audition requirement nor is there an age prerequisite. When incoming freshmen register for classes, and band, in March of their eighth-grade year, they are automatically placed in Repertory Band. Exceptions are made only for incoming freshmen who demonstrate the skills necessary to play the advanced literature of Concert Band. Freshmen who sign up for, and pass, the rigorous Concert Band audition, may register for Concert Band, rather than Repertory Band.

The Repertory Band performs at four regularly scheduled concerts during the school year (one per quarter), plus at the annual Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association (MICCA) State Concert Festival in April, and at the Concord-Carlisle Graduation Ceremony in June. Attendance at all concerts is mandatory and a required component of the course expectations. Please be certain to check the Calendar section of this web site for exact dates. Copies of the year's calendar and course expectations are distributed to every band member during the first week of school in September.

The Repertory Band plays some of the most challenging repertoire available for students of this age level. Practice is essential and, although not required, private lessons are highly encouraged. While the basics of playing one's instrument are revisited and stressed during rehearsals, students should not expect to learn how to play their instrument in band. Band rehearsals are for the sole purpose of learning to play the band music with others. Although there is no entry audition to Repertory Band, there is an expectation that students' instrumental skills are at a sufficient level to enable them to perform the literature offered in the course. Students will be evaluated at least once each quarter. This evaluation will take the form of a private audition with the band director and constitutes nearly fifty per cent of a student’s quarterly grade.

Members in good standing of the Repertory Band are eligible for the same musical opportunities that are available to Concert Band members. For example, they may audition for Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA) sponsored Junior and Senior District Ensembles, and All-State Festivals. They may be members of the Concord-Carlisle Pep Band. They may also participate in the annual musical, or in the Jazz Bands. Like the Concert Band, Repertory Band members are issued music and a uniform, and they are subject to the same high expectations as the Concert Band members.

The only facet of the program that the Repertory Band members are not eligible for, is the upcoming visit to Japan in April of 2007. However, members of the 2005-06 Repertory Band have an excellent chance of being involved in the trip, as many will have been promoted to the Concert Band in sufficient time.

The hard work and enthusiasm of the Repertory Band promises to make this a dynamic ensemble — one that all of us will be very proud to have representing CCHS.

(back to CCHS Bands page)

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