"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."
- Aristotle
About the Westfield Bands
The Westfield Community School Band program enrolls over 200 students each year in grades 5-8. The students are divided into four large ensembles with students from their own grade level, as well as two extra-curricular jazz ensembles. Students perform at three formal concerts each year and select students also have the opportunity to participate at District Honor Band, Illinois Music Educators Association Band Festival, and Solo & Ensemble Festivals.
Westfield Community School Curricular Bands
All bands meet during the school day and students receive class credit for participating. For more details than what's below, please see the Band Handbook.
6th Grade Band
Students are expected to attend all rehearsals, lessons, and concerts. Members will work on developing tone, blending with their section, balance in the ensemble, and individual musicianship. The students are expected to attend their lesson every week, prepared with the homework goals. Members are encouraged to independently master the majority of the technical aspects of the assigned literature and independently seek out any necessary assistance.
7th Grade Band
Members are expected to attend all rehearsals, lessons, and performances. Band members will perform high quality musical literature intended to challenge them as individuals as well as their understanding of an individual's impact within a larger group. Members are expected to arrive prepared for all lessons and large group rehearsals. Members are encouraged to independently master the majority of the technical aspects of the assigned literature and independently seek out any necessary assistance.
8th Grade Band
Members of this group are expected to make a 100 percent commitment to the ensemble in terms of attendance, musical preparation, and participation in concerts and festivals. Members are expected to apply higher level thinking skills in an effort to become independent learners in mastering technical aspects of musical literature. Large group rehearsals focus on musical interpretation and expression. Band members are expected to independently prepare technical aspects of literature prior to rehearsing together in a large group setting.
5th Grade Band - Meets Weekly
Beginning students start with an introductory band course focusing on building the essential skills needed to play in an ensemble, including rhythm, pulse, tone production, and articulation. Students are expected to attend their lesson every week and practice outside of school day in order to supplement their weekly instruction.
6th Grade Band
Students are expected to attend all rehearsals, lessons, and concerts. Members will work on developing tone, blending with their section, balance in the ensemble, and individual musicianship. The students are expected to attend their lesson every week, prepared with the homework goals. Members are encouraged to independently master the majority of the technical aspects of the assigned literature and independently seek out any necessary assistance.
7th Grade Band
Members are expected to attend all rehearsals, lessons, and performances. Band members will perform high quality musical literature intended to challenge them as individuals as well as their understanding of an individual's impact within a larger group. Members are expected to arrive prepared for all lessons and large group rehearsals. Members are encouraged to independently master the majority of the technical aspects of the assigned literature and independently seek out any necessary assistance.
8th Grade Band
Members of this group are expected to make a 100 percent commitment to the ensemble in terms of attendance, musical preparation, and participation in concerts and festivals. Members are expected to apply higher level thinking skills in an effort to become independent learners in mastering technical aspects of musical literature. Large group rehearsals focus on musical interpretation and expression. Band members are expected to independently prepare technical aspects of literature prior to rehearsing together in a large group setting.
5th Grade Band - Meets Weekly
Beginning students start with an introductory band course focusing on building the essential skills needed to play in an ensemble, including rhythm, pulse, tone production, and articulation. Students are expected to attend their lesson every week and practice outside of school day in order to supplement their weekly instruction.