Music ensemble classes at Fort Collins High School are a yearlong commitment. When you register for one of these classes, your teacher plans the year’s curriculum based on your participation. Ensemble music is a team activity, and the full commitment of every member is vital to the success of the entire team. Therefore, if you register for an ensemble, you are committing to participate for the entire year.
All students enrolling in Band must sign up for both a Primary Ensemble and an Auxiliary Ensemble(s). Please note that several auxiliary ensembles require an audition prior to enrollment.
Primary Ensemble Descriptions:
- Intermediate Band- No Audition Required
- Concert Band – Membership by audition or satisfactory Completion of Intermediate Band
- Symphonic Band- Membership by audition only
2802 | Intermediate Band: 20 credits – grades 9, 10, 11, 12 – Fine & Applied Arts – no prerequisite or audition.
Available to all 9th-grade students with previous band experience and open to all 10th -12th-grade students who have not yet reached the proficiency level required for a select band. At FCHS: Members of Intermediate Band must also enroll in at least one Auxiliary Ensemble. Students will need to furnish their performance outfit. This group performs one concert each quarter and performs at a band festival in the spring semester.
**ALL students new to FCHS must sign up for Intermediate Band at the time of registration. After auditions have been completed students will be placed in the correct primary ensemble.
2800 | Concert Band: 20 credits – grades 10, 11, 12 – Fine & Applied Arts – Prerequisite: audition or completion of Intermediate Band.
Instructor approval is required. Available to all 10th-grade students with previous band experience and 11th- and 12th-grade students who have not reached the proficiency level required for the Select Concert Band.
2790 | Select Concert Band (Symphonic Band): 20 credits – grades 10, 11, 12 – Fine & Applied Arts – Prerequisite: audition
Participation is by audition or instructor approval. Membership in this band provides the highest level of instruction available to the high school student with previous band experience.
**FRCC Concurrent Enrollment Credit is available for grades 11 & 12
MUS 151/152 - Ensemble 1/2 - 2 college credits - Year 1
MUS 251/252 - Ensemble 1/2 - 2 college credits - Year 2
Auxiliary Ensemble Descriptions:
- Pep Band- No audition required.
- Jazz Band – Membership by audition only. Instrumentation is limited to traditional jazz instruments. Previous jazz experience is highly recommended. Meets during the school day.
- Small Instrumental Ensembles “Tower Winds” – Membership is by audition only. Meets at arranged times outside of the school day.
- Music Theater Production - Membership is by audition only. Meets at arranged times outside of the school day.
2820 | Pep Band: 6 credits – grades 9, 10, 11, 12 – Fine & Applied Arts – no prerequisite
Membership in a concert band or other music group is required. Pep Band is a volunteer band for students who wish to participate in a group that has a primary function to promote school spirit at athletic events and other school activities.
2830 | Select Stage Band (Jazz Band): 10 credits – grades 10, 11, 12 – Fine & Applied Arts – Prerequisite: audition
Participation is by audition or instructor approval. Select Stage Band is available to students wishing to increase their knowledge and abilities in music of jazz rock Latin and other popular music styles. The student must be a member of a concert band or show proficiency on the piano guitar or other appropriate stage band instrument.
2890 | Small Instrument Ensembles (Tower-Winds - Band): Variable credits – grades 10, 11, 12 – Fine & Applied Arts – Prerequisite: audition
Audition and Select Concert Band or Concert Band membership is required. It is available to students who wish to study and perform music in small ensembles.
5237 | Music Theater Production: Variable credits – grades 9, 10, 11, 12 – Fine & Applied Arts – Prerequisite: audition
This one-semester class is an interdisciplinary course designed to develop skills in various aspects of producing a major musical. It is open to students with a variety of interests including singing, acting, dancing, instrumental music technical theater, and marketing. Audition portfolios and/or resumes may be required. Instructor approval is required.